Phase A – Starting from scratch

Stage 1 – Sunday Clinic

Stage 1 is for those who are just beginning the game. Warren will cover all the fundamental aspects of golf including grip, stance, dynamics of the golf swing, chipping, putting, iron and wood play. There will also be short sessions on the Rules of Golf, the handicapping system, scoring and etiquette. Sunday clinics are one hour in duration, commencing at 8.30am for more advanced players and 9.30am for beginners.

Stage 2 – Sunday Clinic and 3 Hole Game

 After attending a one hour junior clinic young players with sufficient skill will be invited to play 3 holes of golf. This will provide a valuable introduction to golf for children of all ages in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. The game will go for no longer than one and a half hours and parents are encouraged to walk with their children for motivational support and enjoyment. The key objective is to ensure that every participant has fun and enjoys their first taste of golf.

Children are not required to be members but will be encouraged to become members.

The Sunday 3 hole game will be played from Junior Tees (the blue 150 Metre fairway markers) and their results will be used to determine when children are sufficiently proficient to step up to the next stage, particularly for those children in the sub junior age bracket.

Stage 3 – Sunday Clinic and 9 Hole Game

 After attending a clinic young players are invited to play 9 holes of golf.

All participants will be required to be Junior Members and a minimum age of 10, dependant on skill level.

The 9 hole game is a natural progression from the Sunday 3 hole game and played in the same friendly relaxed atmosphere.

Junior Members will be given a 9 Hole Club Handicap which is formulated by Warren Symons based on their first 3 rounds. Most players will be given the maximum handicap; 23 for girls and 18 for boys. Whilst playing their first three rounds all golfers will receive one brand new boxed golf ball.

The 9 Hole Club Handicap is important for 3 reasons:

It will help Junior Members to set goals for themselves and amongst friends.

It will allow the juniors to develop an understanding of the Handicap System and how it is applied to scoring in a range of competitions.

The 9 Hole Handicap will allow the Junior Development Committee to measure the progress of individuals to help decide on promotion to playing 18 holes of golf at Mt Lofty.

More emphasis will be placed on juniors learning the rules and etiquette of Golf. Rules & Etiquette Sessions will be conducted for a short period of time at the end of 9 hole games.

All promotions to Stage 3 will be reviewed every 3 months to ensure that juniors still have the support mechanisms available to juniors in Stage 1 and 2. This will allow juniors a clear pathway to develop their skills, knowledge, decision making and speed of play.

Junior’s who progress through all three stages of development will be invited to the Presentation Dinner, and encouraged to play in Mt Lofty Golf Club 18 Hole competitions.