The First Tee of Greater Dallas
First Tour
Presented by the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation
The premise of implementing the “First Tour” is to bridge the gap between the life skills experience and competitive junior golf in a fun, beginner friendly environment. The running theme of the First Tour will be tournament readiness, and should prove valuable for both the participant and parent as they learn the etiquette and rules of the game along with playing for a score and just what all goes into preparing to play tournament golf.
The “First Tour” will be just that, a tour. An excellent way to engage TFTGD participants from all corners of the Greater Dallas area as well as highlight our great affiliate golf courses as the tour will rotate venues monthly. This should allow our kids to get comfortable meeting and playing with new people as well as building a golf game that travels.
Events will be played in 2 person teams based on current level in The First Tee program and individual formats in some cases for advanced level participants. The season will run annually from March to October with one First Tour event per month for a total of 8, with 3 of those held as Major Championships. The First Tour MASTERS in April,The First Tour OPEN in July, and The First Tour CHAMPIONSHIP in October. Each Event will be limited to the first 50 players to RSVP with The First Tour Championship being invite only to the Top 20 players in year-long points standing.
Players will receive points based on participation in The First Tee program and finishes in each event that will compile for Player of the Year awards at the season ending First Tour Championship.
The suggested playing window for the First Tour is entry once a participant is certified into Par level and phased out at completion of Eagle level or the fall of their freshman year in high school.
The “FIRST TOUR”
Prerequisites for First Tour Membership
Active in Open Enrollment within the year of membership
Participant is PAR, BIRDIE, or EAGLE level
Players and Parents must be familiar with First Tee “Friendly” Rules and attend an orientation for the tour
$75 Tour Membership/ $10 Entry Fee for Monthly Events
Partial ($40) and Full Scholarships($20) are available for Membership Fee
NO SCHOLARSHIPS available for Monthly Events
$75 Membership Includes
- First Tee golf polo, First Tee hat, First Tour bagtag
Tour Divisions and Tournament Formats
The following is a breakdown of the three divisions thatmake up the “First Tour” the PAR, BIRDIE, and EAGLE divisions. It includes suggested age groups, expected number of holes and tournament formats, and average playing distances.
PAR / BIRDIE / EAGLEAge / 7-14 / 7-14 / 7-14
Gender / Male/Female subdivisions / Male/Female subdivisions / Male/Female subdivisions
# of Holes / 9 Holes / 9 Holes / 9 Holes
Format / 2-player Scramble/Stroke Play / 2-player Best Ball/Stroke Play / Stroke Play
Distances / Par 3= 100 yards
Par 4= 150yards
Par 5= 200yards
9 Holes= 1,200-1,500 yards / Par 3= 150 yards
Par 4= 200 yards
Par 5= 250 yards
9 Holes= 1,800-2,400 yds / Par 3= Adult/Ladies
Par 4= Adult/Ladies
Par 5= Adult/Ladies
9 Holes= 2,000-3,000 yds
The First Tour “Friendly” Rules
The First Tour will in fact be the first competitive playing experience for most of its participants. It is our hope here at The First Tee to provide an opportunity conducive to fun, learning, and comradery primarily with competition as an added bonus. To further promote this environment the First Tour will follow traditional rules of golf with the addition of a few “Friendly” rules to level the playing field and encourage speed of play.
- Texas “Snowman” Rule
-8 is the maximum score, regardless of par
- Two Practice Swing
-No more than two practice swing per shot.
- Continuous Putting
-Player putts ball until holed.
- One Try Rule
-Try a difficult shot one time if unable to progress, move ball to an easier lie. The try counts as a shot but no penalty for moving the ball.
- Players may share advice such as yardage, wind, and club selection. Players may also share equipment such as balls, tees, divot repair tools, and ball markers.
The First Tour Points Standings
The First Tour will operate on a yearlong points system following in the footsteps of the PGA, LPGA, and major junior golf tours. The following chart will designate the ways a player can earn points and the quantity awarded for each. This points system will determine the 20 players who are invited to the First Tour Championship and will ultimately decide the First Tour Player of the Year for each respective division.
Special points will be given out at special events that are attended by First Tour participants. Information about these special events will be communicated to parents within a timely manner.
Practicing for 1 Hour outside First Tee / 10
Play 9 holes outside of First Tee / 25
Registering for Open Enrollment Session / 25
Attending a First Tee Class / 25
Attending a First Tee Social Event / 50
Participating in a First Tour Event / 25
1st Place Finish in First Tour Event / 100*
2nd Place Finish in First Tour Event / 50*
3rd Place Finish in First Tour Event / 25*
Play in a Non-First Tour Tournament / 50
1st Place in a Non-First Tour Tournament / 150
Top 5 in a Non-First Tour Tournament / 75
Completing Par to Birdie Certification / 100
Completing Birdie to Eagle Certification / 250
Completing Eagle to ACE Certification / 500
2018 First Tour Schedule
March 24th- Keeton ParkFirst Tour Event
April 21st- Hank HaneyFirst Tour MASTERS
May 12th-Golf Club of DallasFirst Tour Event
June 16th-Lake ParkFirst Tour Event
July 21st -Prairie LakesFirst Tour OPEN
August 18th -Watters CreekFirst Tour Event
September 15th -TBD First Tour Event
October 20st -Brookhaven CCFirst Tour CHAMPIONSHIP
All First Tour EventsCheck in/Range opens at 2pm
Tee Times will start at 3pm
Event Locations are Subject to Change!