subject: Junior Golf Helps Provide A Gateway For Children And Teens Alike. [print this page] The popularity of junior golf is a growing phenomenon, spurred by America's interest in golf. both as an amateur and professional sport. As a sport that can be played individually or as part of a group effort, golf for juniors has a variety of social and physical benefits for the participants.
The primary division between junior and senior golf is aged based. Those individuals who are under the age of 19, or who have not yet completed secondary school can take part in golf activities focused on the junior leagues. As such, this level of golf involves a wide range of ages, from elementary school students to those who are on the cusp of graduating high school and entering college.
Because of the benefits of introducing America's youth to golf, there are a large number of programs that are focused in assisting children of all ages in developing their sports and social skills via golf programs. In many cases, private golf courses will assist these groups by making their facilities available for use. Publicly and privately subsidized clubs and training are also available, especially during the summer months when most children are out of school.
As a sport that helps develop the individual's physical skills and one that allows the participants to test themselves against other members, golf is an ideal outdoor sport for children of all age levels and social groups. It helps the participants improve their coordination and overall health, while enjoying the benefits of an outdoor sport.
In addition, there are a number of programs that focus on the competitive side of golf for juniors, including high school clubs and most importantly, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). The AJGA focuses on the development of competitive skills among its members and holds a wide variety of tournaments over the course of the year. In fact, many participants in the AJGA are preparing themselves for a post graduation career in professional golf.
As a competitive organization, the AJGA is not open to all participants, and has an admissions process that focuses on the individual's competitive skills at the game, rather than helping beginners to develop their basic golf skills. In this way, members of the AJGA can expect to be prepared for college and professional golf, providing another method of transitioning from junior to competitive adult golf.
By allowing youth participation in the sport of golf, many children can enjoy its benefits. Whether golf is simply a way to engage in a healthy and enjoyable outdoor activity, or to prepare youth for a future as professional participants in competitive matches, this sport will continue to provide many opportunities for America's youth.
