What We Teach

• Showing Respect & Courtesy
• Respecting the Rules
• Making Good Choices
• Being a Team Player
• Growing Your Confidence
• Being Honest
• Setting a Goal
• Playing with Perseverance

• Meeting & Greeting with A.L.R
  • Ask, Listen, Reflect/Respond
• Digging Deep & Showing Grit
• Finding Your Personal Par
• Setting Your Goals
• Respecting Other Perspectives
• Growing Your Confidence
• Playing the Course
• Staying Cool – Relax & Replay
  • Relax: Release tension through deep, slow breaths to calm down and clear your mind.
  • Replay: Think about what you just did to determine what worked and what did not. If it was a good shot, enjoy it; if not, analyze it briefly to learn, then move on.

• Celebrating Differences
• Being a Go-To Person
• Building a Go-To Team
• Playing the Course
• Goal Ladder – Planning to Succeed
  • Breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable steps.
• Setting a Goal Using the 4 Guidelines
  • Positive: State what you want to achieve (e.g., “I will practice putting for 15 minutes” instead of “I won’t miss putts”).
  • Important to You: The goal should matter personally, which increases motivation to achieve it.
  • Specific: Define exactly what you are working toward to make it measurable (e.g., “I will hit 5 fairways” instead of “I will play better”).
  • Under Your Control: The goal relies on your own efforts, actions, and attitude, not on the performance of others. 
• Building Confidence with S.T.A.R
  • Stop: Pause and take a breath to give your mind a break, allowing you to calm down and focus.
  • Think: Consider all your choices and evaluate the situation from different angles.
  • Anticipate: Look ahead to determine the potential consequences (good or bad) of each choice.
  • Respond: Select the best action that helps you move toward your goal while staying true to your values.
• Staying Cool with 4 Rs
  • Relax: Release tension through deep, slow breaths to calm down and clear your mind.
  • Replay: Think about what you just did to determine what worked and what did not. If it was a good shot, enjoy it; if not, analyze it briefly to learn, then move on.
  • Ready: Prepare for your next action by selecting the right club, visualizing the shot, and going through your pre-shot routine.
  • Re-do: Execute the next shot with a positive mindset, effectively “redoing” your approach to the game based on the previous steps.

• Taking Ownership of Your Goals
• Being Trustworthy
• Building Self-Confidence
• Respecting Other Perspectives
• Having Courage to do What’s Right
• Playing the Course
• Using C.A.R.E
  • Communicate: Use positive self-talk to overcome nerves, focusing on the desired result rather than fear of a bad shot.
  • Actively Listen (to Body/Environment): Pay attention to tension. Use deep breathing—inhale for four counts, hold for two, exhale for six—to calm the heart rate.
  • Review Options: Instead of automatically grabbing the driver, select a “go-to” club that ensures the ball gets into play, even if it is not the farthest option.
  • Engage/Execute: Visualize the shot, aim small, and commit to the swing routine to build confidence. 
• F.A.I.Ling Forward
  • First . Attempt . In . Learning
  • This teaches youth to view mistakes as opportunities to learn, improve, and move toward success, rather than as failures

ACE is a capstone program built for teens to help them game-plan what’s next. It integrates the skills and inner strengths they’ve developed at First Tee and points them toward exploring, investing in, and building a clear plan and assets for their next step.

To be considered as qualified for Ace, it is required that participants:

• 14 years old or entering high school;
• Minimum of 3 years in the First Tee program (do not need to be consecutive)
• Minimum attendance at 2 sessions per year; and
• Are assessed as “ready for the program” by the FTGH Chapter

ACE classes are held at F.M. Law Park and Memorial Park. For more information about the F.M. Law Park location, contact Coach Joe at [email protected]. For more information about the Memorial Park location, contact Coach Brandon at [email protected] or (281) 459-8736.

A goal is something that you want to be, do, or have and need to work for. We teach participants the steps to take in order to succeed at their goals. Game changers pursue goals as they grow in the game of golf and in life outside of the course. We will make attainable goals and work on outlining the steps that can get us there.

Commit, Don’t Quit! Life is full of challenges and we must learn how to overcome them by digging deep when things get tough and persevering. Participants will learn how to grow through challenges and what obstacles they might face on the golf course or in life.

Learning how to build a Go-To Team. We teach participants how to do team exercises and work together towards a common goal. Learn how to treat one another with respect, and help them feel valued and important. We will show kindness, consideration and care for others. In the game of golf we are presented with opportunities to demonstrate respect and courtesy for ourselves, others and our surroundings each and every day.

We teach participants how to have confidence in themselves and their abilities on and off the course. We work on building characteristics for becoming that Go-To Person for yourself and others. Confidence is not something that you are born with, it is something that develops over time.

Participants learn that golf is the perfect sport to practice being honest as they rely on themselves and fellow players to keep their own score. Unlike other sports, there is no referee therefore we must act with both honesty and integrity. This is one of the most important commitments you can make as a game changer both on and off the course.

Takes place when one is on the green and involves rolling the ball to the hole.

Takes place when one is near the green and typically involves a low shot designed to roll/run the ball to the pin. Usually a quarter to half swing.

Takes place when one is further from the green and typically involves a high shot designed to land the ball softly on the green. Usually a half to three quarter swing.

Takes place off the tee and often in the fairway. Can be used with any club from driver to wedge.

The quality or state of being truthful; not deceptive. Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves.

• Honesty: Telling the truth and being truthful.

Strict adherence to a standard of value or conduct. Personal honesty and independence. Golf is a game of honesty, etiquette and composure. You are responsible for your actions and personal conduct on the golf course.

• Integrity: Adhering to strong moral and ethical standards.

Observing the rules of play and winning or losing with grace. You must know and abide by the rules of golf and be able to conduct yourself in a respectful manner.

• Sportsmanship: Playing fair and being a good sport in victory or defeat.

To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem. In golf it is important to show respect for yourself, your partners, your opponents and the golf course as well for the honor and traditions of the game.

• Respect: Showing esteem for yourself, others, and the course.

Reliance or trust. A feeling of self-assurance. Confidence plays a role in the level of play you achieve. You must have confidence in your abilities every time you play.

• Confidence: Trusting your abilities and having self-assurance.

Accounting for one’s actions; Dependable. In golf, you are responsible for yourself and your actions on the golf course. It is up to you to keep score, repair divots, rake bunkers, repair ball marks on the green and keep up with the pace of play.

• Responsibility: Being accountable for your actions and choices.

To persist in an idea, purpose or task despite obstacles. To succeed in golf, you must learn to persevere through bad breaks and your own mistakes.

• Perseverance: Sticking with tasks despite obstacles.

Considerate behavior toward others. A polite remark or gesture. A round of golf should begin and end with a handshake between fellow competitors. Show courtesy toward others by remaining still and quiet while they prepare to execute a shot.

• Courtesy: Being polite and considerate to everyone.

The ability to make a decision or form an opinion. A decision reached after consideration. Using good judgement in critical in golf. It comes into play when deciding on strategy club selection, when to play it safe and when to take a chance, the type of shot you consider executing, as well as understanding and abiding by etiquette.

• Judgment: Making thoughtful decisions and choices.

• Fueling your body for activity.

• Engaging in varied physical activity.

• Playing and living in safe environments, warming up, and cooling down.

• Creating a picture for your future self.

• Using your mind for self-improvement and positive thinking.

• Connecting with family and sharing healthy habits.

• Building supportive relationships.

• Succeeding in learning and contributing to your school.

• Caring for your environment and giving back.