General Information

If you're new to First Tee, check out our 2015 Parent's Guide to First Tee and our Life Skills Experience Progression Chart. Everything you need to know about First Tee you'll find below! A Parent's Guide to First Tee First Tee Life Skills Experience Progression Chart Q: Who can participate? A: Boys and Girls ages 7-17. Q: Where are classes offered? A: First Tee Greater Chicago will operate programs in partnership with the following facilities: Chicago Park District, Cog Hill G&CC, Foss Park GC, Countryside Golf Course, Harborside Golf Center, Glenwoodie GC, Renwood Golf Course, Waukegan Park District, and White Pines Golf Club. Click the "Locations" tab on the left for programming details at each site. Q: What are the classes like? A: Classes will have 15 - 20 students and will be divided into groups for a teacher/student ratio of 1:4 and will last approximately ninety (90) minutes. They will cover all phases of the game and First Tee Life Skills Experience. Q: How do I know which class to register my child for? A: There are four main levels of First Tee Life Skills Experience: PLAYer Level: All new participants PAR Level: Children between the ages of 9 and 17 with prior First Tee experience who have yet to certify out of PAR level BIRDIE Level: Children who have already earned PAR certification EAGLE Level: Children who have already earned BIRDIE certification Should you have any questions about what level your child should join, please contact Program Director Adam Murray via email at [email protected] or call 773-885-8258. Q: What is the cost of the program? A: Programming fees vary from site to site ($55 - $75). Click the "Locations" tab on the left to view programming fees at each location. As a participant in First Tee Greater Chicago certifying curriculum, children will receive golf and Life Skills instruction, golf course and practice facility access, supervised practice opportunities, access to golf equipment, a hat, a t-shirt, a bag, and access to additional local and national participant opportunities, educational experiences, and academic scholarships. Q: What if we can’t afford the program fee? A: First Tee Greater Chicago offers a scholarship application to those families that cannot afford the registration fee. One of the objectives of First Tee Greater Chicago is to make the game of golf affordable and accessible to all. A program committee will review applications and notify parents if their child has been accepted into the program. Q: Is there a refund policy? A: Yes, full refunds will be made available when notified prior to the first day of class. Parents must notify First Tee Greater Chicago by contacting the Director of Program Development Adam Murray by e-mail only at [email protected]. Refunds will not be available after programming has started. Q: Can my child miss classes? A: Two of our Nine Core Values are responsibility and perseverance. We believe children learn best by example, and showing up for class is an easy way to practice being responsible and honoring one’s commitments. Obviously, things do come up and people do take ill, schedule family vacations, etc. so we understand missing a class occasionally. When students know they are to miss a class, we ask that the student AND parents both notify the program director. Make-up classes can be scheduled and are offered by appointment only. Q: What if I have two children participating in different levels? Is there any way I can group them together? A: No, each certification level has a different curriculum. It’s important that each child is exposed to each level and progresses through the program at a comfortable pace. Q: What equipment do I need? A: If your child does have their own set of clubs, please bring them to every class. Children’s clubs, golf balls and all learning equipment are provided. If a child has his/her own golf clubs, we recommend that he/she brings them to each class. Appropriate clothing is required. Proper golf attire consists of a collared shirt and khaki shorts or pants (jeans can also be worn but are not preferred). Any type of tennis or basketball shoe will work in place of golf shoes. A golf cap will be provided to all students.