FAQ's for Parents

What is the mission of First Tee – Jersey Shore?

First Tee is an international youth character development organization dedicated to the mission of impacting the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.

LINK TO THE PARENT WEBSITE:    LINK

Changes to First Tee's Curriculum:

• Why move to AGE-BASED Curriculum?

• Extensive research and feedback from participants and parents consistently shows that age-appropriate programming will increase both engagement and retention of kids, especially older youth. 

• Registration will be simpler as parents are familiar with age-based as most sports and activities are set up this way. As participants stay with us longer, they will be eligible for more life-changing experiences and opportunities including advanced classes, opportunities, and scholarships.

• The switch will allow for kids to learn with kids their own age and progress with them. Friends can learn and grow with their friends.

• What are the age groups?

• • The age groups are: 4-6, 7-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14+

  • ELITE/COMPETITIVE LEVEL (invite only, teens):  First Tee Players Academy (skills and leadership-based curriculum)

• What if my child ages up during the middle of a session?

  • The age a child is on the last day of any session will dictate what class they register for *except for PeeWee Putters (children must be 4 years old on the first day of class)

  • If a child has a birthday in the middle of a session please move them up. For example, a child turning 10 in the middle of a session will register for the 10-11 year old class.

• Will there be an exception for siblings of different ages to be in the same group for convenience purposes if they are at the same skill level?

  • No, we will adhere to the age of participants. Accommodations will not be made for siblings. 

  • The curriculum is designed for the specific age groups, kids staying in their age group will ensure that kids are getting a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate.

REGISTRATION FAQs:

• Does it matter where I live to enroll my child in classes?

  • There are no residency requirements.

• Does my child need prior golf experience?

  • There is no prior golf experience needed. Our coaches are trained in positive youth development. That means they are experts in making young people feel comfortable and assure they have a positive, non-intimidating experience.

  • The only classes that require previous experience are First Tee Advanced and First Tee Players Academy. Students will be invited to enroll in these advanced level classes.

• Is equipment provided or does my child need to bring clubs?

  • YES, equipment is provided at all locations. Contact us if your child needs to borrow a set of golf clubs for the season. They can be picked up at the start of class and returned back to their coach before leaving the course. Borrowed clubs will be assigned to your child and the bag will have \your child's name on it. These clubs will be stored at the course where the class is held. 

  • Children may bring their own clubs. We are not responsible for missing items. Make sure all clubs, bags, and water bottles are labeled with your child's name and ensure all personal clubs are in their bags before leaving class. 

  • If you are interested in purchasing clubs for your child, take a look at the US Kids Website. These clubs can be ordered online and they are based on height.

  • Clubs can also be bought at sporting goods stores or golf course pro-shops.

• When are classes held?

  • Classes are offered three times per year: Spring, Summer, and Fall 

  • Registration for Spring/Summer opens in January/February

  • Registration for Fall opens in the summer.

  • Class Registration:  LINK 

  • SIGN-UP for registration alerts:  LINK

  • FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE is offered, please contact tkelly@firstteejerseyshore.org

• Where are classes held?

  • Classes are held at several golf facilities throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties with the main locations of The First Tee Learning Center at Ocean County Park, Atlantis Golf Course, Forge Pond Golf Course, Cream Ridge GC, and William F. Larkin Golf Course. 

• How is Girls Golf Jersey Shore different or related to First Tee Jersey Shore? Do I register for both?

  • Girls Golf Jersey Shore is a division of and under the umbrella of First Tee Jersey Shore. 

  • You can register for classes and/or events for either if you have a daughter interested in golf. All registrations occur within the First Tee registration portal.

  • First Tee offers co-ed classes while Girls Golf is only for female golfers. 

  • If your daughter is interested in Girls Golf Jersey Shore, we ask that you also register her on the national site hosted by LPGA*USGA   LINK   Click "join a site" and enter your zip code. You can register her for any one of our five sites at the Jersey Shore (William F. Larkin GC, First Tee Learning Center, Seaview GC, Atlantis GC, Cream Ridge GC).

  • Being a Girls Golf member comes with perks! Enrolling as a national Girls Golf member makes you eligible to participate in your local Girls Golf site’s events. LPGA*USGA Girls Golf members receive official Girls Golf membership gifts (including fun logoed golf merchandise and accessories), and are granted free entry to LPGA, Symetra Tour, and USGA Championships. Girls Golf membership gifts are shipped directly to your program director for distribution at your local program events. Girls Golf parents and participants also receive our monthly newsletter which includes member-only perks, news, and great resources!

  • We host various Girls Golf clinics, camps, playing opportunities, and outings at LPGA tournaments. Girls Golf also offers different leadership and scholarship opportunities as your daughter enters middle school and high school. When girls turn 13, they can register to be an eLeader  LINK 

• Can I register for more than one First Tee class during the week?

  • No. The curriculum is offered at each location each day during any week of classes. We ask that parents choose one class per week in a given session. If a class is full you may register for the Wait List for that class, then choose another class at any location that may be an alternative. If/when a class is available and you’re next on the Wait List, an automatic email will be sent to you to register for the vacancy.

• What happens if my child ends up on a Waitlist?

  • If a class is full, sign up for the waitlist (if available). If/when a vacancy occurs, you will receive a system generated email with registration instructions. You will have 48 hours in which to register for the vacancy. If you do not register within that period, the automatic message will revert to the next family on the waitlist until the class capacity has been achieved. If you do register for the class, complete registration and submit for payment.  Your child will appear on our roster as registered.

• When should I arrive to class?

  • We ask that all parents arrive 15 minutes prior to class start time. This will allow all participants to receive any information from our coaches, staff or volunteers, receive any materials needed and warm-up prior to class.  Ensure your child uses the restroom or comfort station prior to class time and bring a water bottle. If your child is late for class, we ask parents to walk their child to the class location. After class, promptly pick up your child at the check-in area.

• What happens if my child is absent from class? Will my child be offered a make-up class?

  • If your child is absent from class, we do not offer a make-up class. We reiterate our curriculum each session so that participants will receive instructions they may have missed.

  • Further, we require that all children who receive Financial Aid from our program attend no less than 4 classes during their session enrollment. They must arrive on time and be in good standing with our program to be considered for future aid.

• Inclement Weather Policy

  • Our inclement weather policy varies by program location. We will notify families no later than ONE-HOUR PRIOR to class time via email or other group communication tool if the class will be cancelled. If you do not receive a communication from us, please assume that classes will commence as usual. We do our best to offer a make-up class for classes that are cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. However, we will provide up to one (1) make-up class in any session. Coaches may also extend class times to make-up for lost instructional time due to weather. Note that we reiterate our curriculum during each session so that participants will receive instruction they may have missed.

• What should my child wear?

  • Children are required to wear neat attire including shirts with sleeves, shorts, pants, slacks, skorts, golf shoes or sneakers, and a hat or visor. NO holes in clothing, baggie jeans, spandex or gym shorts, football, soccer or baseball uniforms, flip flops or crocs allowed. Children should be dressed appropriately for the game of golf and according to weather conditions.

• What are classes like? 

  • Classes are implemented by trained coaching staff and volunteers. All coaches are Safe Sport Certified. Class sizes are 6:1-8:1 ratio. Participants are grouped by age. Groups are led through a variety of golf skills on the course including putting, pitching, chipping and full-swing while the First Tee Life-Skills Experience is seamlessly included in the on-course curriculum.

• Can parents volunteer as a coach with First Tee – Jersey Shore?

  • Yes, we have a "Class Caddie" program for interested parents. Please contact tkelly@firstteejerseyshore.org

• How can I make a DONATION to First Tee – Jersey Shore?

  • First Tee – Jersey Shore is very grateful of the support that we have and continue to receive but there is still much to be accomplished. Check with your employer to see if they participate in a donation matching program. If you wish to support the continued success of our program and would like to make a monetary or equipment donation, please call Tara Kelly at (732) 759-2170 or e-mail tkelly@firstteejerseyshore.org 

  • Click here:  DONATE 

  • First Tee – Jersey Shore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN# 30-0238834