Teens on The Tee
Lesson Plan # 8
Certification Week
· Attendance: Attended and participated in at least six lessons.
· Behavior: Show in actions (Player initiated) the behaviors of the Code of Conduct and reflective of the Nine Core Values and Healthy Habits covered in the Player level.
· Playing: Completed a 9 hole round while being safe and courteous and keeping an accurate score.
· Putting: Complete a 9 hole putting challenge while being safe and courteous and keeping an accurate score.
· Yardage Book: All sections of yardage book completed.
· Written Assessment: Pass the written assessment with a score of 80% or better.
· Age Requirement – PLAYer must be 9 years old by the second week of the next session to progress to Par.
· Attendance: Attended and participated in at least six lessons.
· Behavior: Show in actions (Player initiated) the strategies associated with each core lesson reflective of the Par level life skills and Healthy Habits.
· Playing: Quickly and safely completed 9 hole round with required distance of 1,500-1,900 yards in 72 strokes or under.
· Yardage Book: All sections of yardage book completed.
· Putting: Complete a 9 hole course in 27 strokes or less.
· Short Game: Complete a short game course in 12 strokes or less.
· Full Swing: Players must hit 2 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 11 by the second week of the next session to progress to Birdie
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 assessment. The written assessments are on information covered in class and in their Yardage Books. This includes: core values, life skills, golf etiquette and golf rules. Assessments require a score of 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 lead 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 (use assessment version A or B) 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.
Coaches should put together a plan for how students will proceed to outside activities after completing the written assessment. It would be helpful to have a coach or parent on hand to help with grading assessments.
A student must answer at least 16 of the 20 questions correctly to be considered as passing. Should they not succeed on the first attempt, you may let them try a second time (use other assessment version that they did not already take). 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 assessment to the child.
Putting Activity: Putting Certification
Objectives of Game: players should complete the 9-hole putting course demonstrating all applicable core values, golf rules, and golf etiquette. There is no required score to be considered passing. The required score for Par is 27 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 (6-9 feet), 3 medium length holes (12-18 feet), 3 long holes (25-35 feet). If there is not enough room for 9 holes, then set up 1 hole of each length and repeat it three times.
How to Play: players should be given a scorecard 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. There is no required score to be considered passing…a passing attempt is determined by how well they demonstrate the core values, golf rules, and golf etiquette.
***Coaches – 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 diagram 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 3 short game course in 12 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 3 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.
***Coaches – 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.
Full Swing Activity: Full Swing Fairways Certification
Objectives of Game: players must hit 2 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 75 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 balls. One-by-one they should attempt to hit their golf balls into the designated fairway. Participants must get at least 2 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.
***Coaches – 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. Do not provide instruction. Your job is to provide encouragement, record results 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.
This activity is for everyone once they complete all certification requirements. You can also choose to set up another popular activity from a previous lesson plan if you would like.
Full Swing Activity: Open Practice
Objectives of Game: Practice
Objectives of Golf Fundamental: review all previous golf fundamentals
Supplies: cones, golf balls, tees, golf clubs
Description of Set-Up: on the practice range set up multiple hitting and safety zones.
How to Play: let participants hit golf balls and work on their golf fundamentals once they have completed their certification requirements. Several coaches should be on hand to provide supervision and appropriate golf instruction.
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 putting certification (allow for second attempts if necessary)
· Give results to students individually
· Pass out end of year certificates or prizes if available
· Wrap up questions
· Dismiss class and thank parents
Teens 2017Page 6