When we first started our golf journey with Clara, I quickly realized there was a lot to figure out beyond buying a set of clubs and a cute golf outfit. Navigating lessons, programs, and tournaments became a place of never-ending questions and research, and the answers aren’t always easy to find.
The goal of this page is to share the things we’ve learned along the way and make the process a little less overwhelming for families just getting started.
You’ll find resources organized by some of the areas we’ve found most helpful. Some are things we personally use and love, while others are simply places, ideas, or information worth knowing about as you find what works best for your junior golfer and family.
────────── ♥ ──────────
QUICK LINKS
Resources
Equipment
The clubs, bag, and other gear that have made getting out on the course a little easier.
────────── ♥ ──────────
CLARA’S CLUBS
U.S. Kids Ultralight 7
When Clara outgrew her first set of clubs, we took the opportunity to look at a few different options for her next set. We ultimately chose U.S. Kids, wanting something that felt like a natural next step as she became more serious about golf. They felt like a nice transition from a beginner set into equipment that could grow with her for a while.
CLARA’S BAG
U.S. Kids Tour Series 6
Her new clubs also meant it was time for a roomier golf bag. This one is larger than her first bag, with more pockets for all the little things that somehow make their way onto the course. It’s a stand bag, which makes it easy to set down during practice or a round, and the pink splatter detail gives it a fun pop of personality.
Clothing & Shoes
What to wear on the course, from comfortable everyday golf clothes to tournament attire and shoes that can keep up along the way.
────────── ♥ ──────────
EVERYDAY GOLF
Clara likes to wear everything from moisture-wicking shirts and skorts in the summer to leggings and ear warmers in the winter. Comfort is always her main priority, but she still loves pieces that are fun and make her feel put-together on the course. Above all, we look for clothes that allow her to move freely and stay comfortable through hours of practice or play.
ON THE COURSE
When Clara is playing a round, we stick with many of the same comfortable pieces she wears for practice, while paying a little more attention to course dress codes, the weather, and how well something will hold up through several hours of play. Whether it’s nine holes, 18 holes, or a tournament, the goal is the same: something comfortable, functional, and appropriate for the course.
GOLF SHOES
Clara wears a pair of FootJoy Spikeless golf shoes that we originally found at a golf outlet in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The leather has been a big plus for us—they’re durable, waterproof, and easy to wipe clean after a day on the course. They’ve also been comfortable enough for Clara to wear for hours at a time, which is probably the most important thing when you’re walking eighteen holes.
Lessons & Programs
Finding the right place to learn, practice, and play can be one of the hardest parts of getting started. These are some of the lessons, programs, and resources we've used to navigate junior golf.
────────── ♥ ──────────
LESSONS
So far, most of Clara’s instruction has come through junior golf programs rather than traditional private lessons. Through one of those programs, she met a volunteer coach who has generously spent extra time practicing with her and has even joined her for nine holes on the course. Those one-on-one opportunities have given Clara the chance to work on her game in a more personal setting and, just as importantly, learn how to take what she practices to the course.
We’ve prayed that God would place the right people in Clara’s path—people who will encourage her, teach her, and genuinely care about helping her grow. We’re incredibly grateful for the coaches and mentors He has already brought into her life, and this relationship has been one of those unexpected gifts.
We haven’t ventured into paid private lessons just yet, though we expect they may become part of her golf journey as she continues to grow. For now, this experience has shown us just how valuable junior programs can be—not only for the instruction they provide, but for the relationships they can create with coaches and mentors who truly enjoy investing in young golfers.
JUNIOR PROGRAMS
First Tee
First Tee is a youth golf program that combines golf instruction with lessons in character and life skills, helping kids build confidence and resilience both on and off the course.
WHY WE LOVE IT
One of the things we—and Clara—love most about First Tee is the way they turn learning golf skills into games. Rather than simply practicing the same putt over and over, the kids might play a putting version of tic-tac-toe, trying to control their speed and distance well enough to stop the ball inside a particular square.
Chipping practice can be just as fun. One of Clara’s favorites involves placing different animal headcovers around the green as “prizes.” The kids aim for a headcover, and if their ball hits it, they’ve “earned” that prize for the game. They don’t actually take the headcovers home, of course, but suddenly practicing aim and distance feels a lot more like a challenge than a drill.
That balance of learning and fun is what has stood out to us most. Clara is practicing real golf skills—distance control, speed, aim, and touch—without always feeling like she’s doing a drill. It keeps her engaged and reminds her that learning the game can still be fun.
U.S. Kids Golf Academy
U.S. Kids Golf Academy offers junior golf instruction designed to help young players build strong fundamentals as they progress through the game. Using the U.S. Kids Golf Player Pathway, classes combine instruction and games-based learning to help kids develop their golf skills, learn more about the game, and have fun while doing it.
WHAT WE LIKE SO FAR
We’re still fairly new to the U.S. Kids Golf Academy program, with just a handful of practices under our belts, but there are already several things that have stood out to us. The groups are smaller than what we’ve experienced with First Tee, with more instructors working alongside the kids. That has allowed for more individual attention and specific feedback during practice.
We especially appreciate the attention to the little details of the game. Clara has received direct feedback on things like ball position for a particular shot, grip, and other mechanics—small adjustments that can make a big difference as she continues to learn.
The program also goes beyond simply hitting golf balls. The kids are asked questions that help build their overall knowledge of the game, from how many clubs they’re allowed to carry and the different parts of a golf club to understanding how to keep score. We like that Clara is learning not only how to play golf, but how to understand the game.
We’re still early in our experience with U.S. Kids Golf, but so far, we’ve appreciated the smaller-group instruction, individual feedback, and emphasis on building a well-rounded understanding of golf.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
We’re still figuring this part out, too. When Clara first became interested in golf, I had no idea where to start. I didn’t know which programs taught kids how to play, what was available in our area, or even what I should be searching for. I happened to find First Tee while looking through our county’s youth classes one fall. Until then, I had never even heard of the organization, despite how widely established it is.
Now that Clara is beginning to play in tournaments, I feel like we’re back at the beginning again. There are different junior golf organizations, tours, and tournaments to choose from, and we’re still trying to understand which ones make the most sense for a young golfer who is new to competition. Which tournaments are beginner-friendly? Where should we start? And how do you even know what opportunities are out there?
One thing I’ve learned is that junior golf opportunities aren’t always easy to find when you’re new to the sport. Some of our best discoveries have come from asking questions, talking with other golf families, and paying attention to what’s happening in our local golf community. One opportunity often seems to lead us to another.
So if you’re looking at all of this and wondering where to begin, you’re definitely not the only one. We’re still asking many of the same questions ourselves. As we find programs, tournament organizations, and other opportunities that have been helpful to our family, I’ll continue adding them here in hopes that it makes someone else’s search a little easier.
Course Essentials
The little things that make practice days, rounds of golf, and long days on the course a little easier.
────────── ♥ ──────────
THE PUSH CART
At Clara’s first tournament, we noticed that most families were using push carts. We had carried her old bag for nine holes before, but her new bag was substantially heavier. Paul didn’t have any trouble carrying it—the challenge was managing everything else while walking: grabbing water and snacks, keeping up with clubs and headcovers, and recording the other girls’ scores.
Seeing other families use push carts made us realize just how convenient they could be. Features like cup holders and a built-in clipboard for the scorecard keep everything within easy reach, which can make a big difference when you’re trying to stay organized and keep up with the pace of play.
We haven’t had a chance to use ours in a tournament yet, but once we put it to the test, I’ll be sure to come back and share how it worked for us.
A FEW THINGS WE BRING ALONG
STROKE TALLY COUNTER
Keeping track of every stroke can be tricky for a young golfer. I made Clara a simple stroke counter using wooden beads so she can keep track as she plays. After each stroke, she slides a bead down, giving her an easy visual reminder of how many shots she has taken before recording her score at the end of the hole.
It’s simple, inexpensive, and has been especially helpful in giving Clara a little more responsibility for keeping track of her own score.
GOLF NOTEBOOK
Clara keeps a small spiral notebook in her golf bag where she writes down tips, reminders, and cues she picks up during lessons and practice. It gives her a place to keep those little pieces of advice that can be easy to forget once she leaves the course—and something she can look back through when she needs a reminder.
LITTLE THINGS SHE LOVES
Sometimes it’s the little things that make golf more fun. Clara loves adding bits of her personality to her golf outfit, including a magnetic Ritz Crackers ball marker—a fitting choice for a girl who rarely turns down a cracker. These little touches make the course feel a bit more like her own, and marking her ball a little more fun.