Core Lesson: Certification

Birdie Class

Lesson Plan # 8

Core Lesson: Certification

· Attendance: Attended and participated in at least six lessons in multiple sessions.

· Behavior: Show in actions (Player initiated) the strategies associated with each core lesson reflective of the Birdie level life skills and Healthy Habits.

· Playing: Quickly and safely completed five 9 hole rounds with required distance of 1,900-2,500 yards in 63 strokes or under.

· Yardage Book: All sections of yardage book completed.

· Putting: Complete a 9 hole course in 23 strokes or less.

· Short Game: Complete a 6 hole short game course in 21 strokes or less.

· Full Swing: Players must hit 3 of 6 shots in the designated target area.

· Written Assessment: Pass the written assessment with a score of 80% or better.

· Age Requirement: Must be 13 by the second week of the next session to progress to Eagle

OVERVIEW - What is Certification?

Certification is a multi-part process that all students go through to demonstrate they are ready to move on to the program's next level. Certification usually takes place during the last 2 classes of any given season.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE MOVING ON - The First Tee program is not a race! It is intentionally designed for students to have multiple exposures at each level. Many students will not be old enough to advance after just one season...THIS IS NORMAL!!! A lot of these students will still take part in certification activities. Practicing certification is a great opportunity to experience the process even though their results will not count towards their future progression.

Here's How Certification Works

Students must meet ALL the following criteria before advancing to the next level.

1. Minimum Age - each student must meet the minimum age requirement (no exceptions). Students have until the end of the second week of a new season (spring or fall) to reach this age.

· PLAYer - 7

· Par - 9

· Birdie - 11

· Eagle - 13

· ACE - 15

2. Written Assessment - each student must pass a written test. The written tests are on information covered in class and in their Yardage Books. This includes: core values, life skills, golf etiquette and golf rules. Tests usually require a score of roughly 80% or better to be considered passing. Should a child not reach a passing score on the first attempt, a second opportunity will be made available.

3. Golf Skills Demonstration - each student will be required to demonstrate minimum levels of proficiency in regards to their golf abilities (putting, chipping and full swing).

4. Coach Recommendation - each student must receive a recommendation from their current level coach before advancing. If a student's coach does not feel they are "ready" to advance, they will not be allowed to move on. Chapter staff will communicate directly with coaches to determine which students are able to advance.

5. Advancement - once a participant has met all of the above criteria, they will be moved up to the next level. The participant will attend her/his new classes at the beginning of the next season.

***Certification only counts for students who will be old enough to advance next season. If a student is not old enough to advance the next season, they can still participate in the experience, but their results will not count.***

Activity: Written Certification – The lead coach should distribute a written certification to each participant. Copies of the written certifications and the corresponding answer keys can be found on the private coach website. Have the participants spread out and complete the certification. Participants will need writing utensils.

Instructions: coaches should put together a plan for how students will proceed to outside activities after completing the written test. It would be helpful to have a coach or parent on hand to help with grading tests. A student must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly to be considered as passing. Should they not succeed on the first attempt, you may let them try a second time with version B of the test. The lead coach should mark whether a child passes or not on the attendance/certification checklist sheet.

***Coaches - you may help the participant read the question or explain what certain words mean, but you cannot give a student an answer. If you know of a child who has a learning disability, a coach is permitted to read the test to the child.

Putting Activity: Putting Certification

Objectives of Game: players should complete the 9 hole putting course in 23 strokes or less.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: students need to demonstrate all previously covered golf fundamentals in order to meet the target score.

Supplies: cones, golf balls, ball markers, putters

Description of Set-Up: coaches should set up a 9 hole putting course. 3 short holes (8-10 feet), 3 medium length holes (15-20 feet), 3 long holes (30-40 feet). If there is not enough room for 9 holes, then set up 1 hole of each length.

How to Play: players should be given a scorecard (or piece of paper) and then instructed to play 9 holes on the putting course. Participants should be paired up with another player and should honestly record each other’s score. After completing the putting course, they should report their scores to the coach. If a student does not pass on the first attempt, they can attempt the exercise a second time.

Coach Notes – remind students to demonstrate all the core values, life skills and golf fundamentals as possible. This is the time to let students demonstrate what they have learned to you. Do not provide instruction. Your job is to provide encouragement and monitor what is going on.

Set-Up Diagrams: See diagrams at the end of the lesson plan for set-up help and additional instructions that may apply.

Chipping/Pitching Activity: Short Game Certification

Objectives of Game: players should complete a 6 hole short game course in 21 strokes or less.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: students need to demonstrate all previously covered golf fundamentals in order to meet the target score.

Supplies: cones, golf balls, ball markers, putters, wedges

Description of Set-up: set up 3 holes on the chipping green. 1 Short (2-3 yards off the green), 1 Medium (4-5 yards off the green) and 1 Long (5-8 yards off the green). Use 2 cones to mark the starting point for each hole. Make sure to include your safety zones.

How to Play: players should be given a scorecard (or piece of paper) and then instructed to play 6 holes on the short game course. Participants should be paired up with another player so they can honestly record each other’s score. Participants need to play each hole until their ball is holed out. They can use any club they would like to play each hole (yes, they can use a putter from off the green). After completing the short game course, they should report their scores to the lead coach. If a student does not pass on the first attempt, they can attempt the exercise a second time.

Set-Up Diagrams: See diagrams at the end of the lesson plan for set-up help and additional instructions that may apply.

Full Swing Activity: Full Swing Fairways Certification

Objectives of Game: players must hit 3 of 6 shots in to the designated target area.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: students need to demonstrate all previously covered golf fundamentals in order to meet the target score.

Supplies: cones, golf balls, noodles, tees, golf clubs

Description of Set-Up: On the driving range set up 2 teeing stations and safety zones to accompany them. Out in the driving range, set up 2 cones or noodles 100 yards out and 40 yards apart. This indicates an imaginary fairway that participants must be able to hit the ball through.

How to Play: Participants should indicate to their coach that they are ready to certify. When they do this they should be given 6 practice balls. One-by-one they should attempt to hit golf balls into the designated fairway. Participants must get at least 3 of the 6 balls into the designated fairway to be considered passing. If they do not pass on the first attempt, they can try a second time when they are ready.

Coach Notes – at least one coach needs to be supervising this activity. This coach needs to make sure they clearly explain the process to each student (but do not scare/intimidate them). This is a time to let students demonstrate what they have learned to you. Do not provide instruction. Your job is to provide encouragement, record results and monitor what is going on.

Full Swing Activity: Full Swing Approaches Certification

Objectives of Game: players must hit 3 of 6 shots in to the designated target area.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: students need to demonstrate all previously covered golf fundamentals in order to meet the target score.

Supplies: cones, golf balls, noodles, tees, golf clubs

Description of Set-Up: On the driving range set up 2 teeing stations and safety zones to accompany them. Out in the driving range, set up a mock green using cones. The green should have a diameter of 30 yards and the middle of the green should be approximately 50 yards from the teeing zone.

How to Play: Participants should indicate to their coach that they are ready to certify. When they do this they should be given 6 practice balls. One-by-one they should attempt to hit golf balls on to the designated green. Participants must get at least 3 of the 6 balls on to the designated green to be considered passing. If they do not pass on the first attempt, they can try a second time when they are ready.

Set-Up Diagrams: See diagrams at the end of the lesson plan for set-up help and additional instructions that may apply.

Bridge to Life: Use the following questions to help participants apply their “on-course” work to their “off-course” activities and experiences.

1. How was your experience with certification today?

2. What core values, life skills, or healthy habits helped you during this process?

3. How are you going to use these things in school, at home, or with your friends before the next time you come to class?

4. How are you going to commit to practicing golf more before the next season?

Lesson Plan Progression: Activities will follow this sequence.

· Start right away with the written certification

· As students complete the written certification they should begin the golf skills demonstration

· Complete all parts of the golf skills demonstration (allow for second attempts)

· Give results to students individually

· Pass out end of year certificates or prizes if available

· Bridge to Life

· Dismiss class and thank parents

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