The Town-Crier just published an article about my homeschool program.  I am honored and thankful.  The digital issue can be accessed here, it features a group shot that was taken on July 21, 2020.

There are days when I teach and I feel accomplished but the best days are when I get surprised by my students.  On this particular occasion my surprise came when I opened an email at the end of a long day.  It was a video of one of my homeschool students who was having fun with putting.  I laughed, I smiled and I was thankful that he got it.  Golf is fun!  He was having fun, he was creative and he was playing golf. 

I was then inspired to create a putting contest for the homeschool group.  How great would it be if they all experienced the same kind of joy that Timmy did in his video!  Timmy was not able to attend today when I made the announcement but I did let his family know that his video set everything in motion.  

As for the contest, I challenged each one of my students to create a putting maze.  Their parents can help them build it but the student must make the putt and submit the video for judging by independent evaluators.  The winning video will be announced during our last class next Tuesday.  The prize is a $50 gift card that can be used to treat Mom and Dad to a special dinner. 

These video submissions are amazing examples of living out the First Tee Healthy Habit of Play.  Play is all about teaching junior golfers that a variety of energizing play can help the body stay strong, lean and fit, and be fun in the process. Sleep and other forms of “re-charging” allow one to engage in play on a daily basis.  

It has been awhile since I shared my thoughts on how to adapt beaver characteristics to golf.  Today, I am reminded of how beavers live in a colony which is basically a fancy term for extended family.  They play together and they work together to build and protect their homes which are of course dams.  

Teaching golf to juniors of all ages has given me the opportunity to create a community for my students.  Just this morning I was teaching three of my female junior students in a group lesson.  I suggested it so they could get to know each other, offer each other encouragement and hold each other accountable.  They enjoyed it a lot.

Afterwards, they stayed to help me with the homeschool group class.  Jayda, Prep Tour Player of the Year, demonstrated how to swing the club.  Her accomplishments offered encouragement to the younger female golfers.  Leila and Annika stepped in as coaches and cheerleaders very easily.  They are an awesome addition to the group.

I personally, believe community for these young golfers is more important than ever.  Covid-19 has already changed our lives in so many ways and it has the potential to isolate people.  But isn't golf an individual sport?  Yes, you are responsible for your own score but 9 times out of 10 you are playing your individual sport with someone.  It is my hope that one day the younger golfers will feel comfortable playing a round with Jayda, Leila or Annika.  I am quite confident that if asked they would gladly accept the offer.  

I was just starting a new series of homeschool group classes when Palm Beach County started to experience the impacts of Covid-19.  As things progressed,  the decision was made to postpone and resume at a later date.  When Governor Desantis lifted restrictions on summer youth activities, the next step was to receive permission to begin group golf instruction in Palm Beach County.  I am pleased to announce that we will resume those classes later this month.

While these permissions have been granted, I am fully aware that the ultimate permission lies with the parents of the junior golfers.  These classes are resuming for those families who feel comfortable.  Fortunately, the set up I use for group golf lessons already provide social distancing.  The major difference will be the mandatory temperature check that will be administered with an infared No-touch forehead thermometer during the check in process.  Parents should plan to arrive early for this extra step which requires a signature verification as well. 

Credits for unused classes will continue to be extended for those families who choose to wait until the fall.  

This is the final video in the USGA and NBC series.  I saved this video for last because too many of my students focus so much of their energy on the long shots that they neglect the technique needed to get the ball on the green close to the hole.   I have another group of students who can get the ball on the green only to see it roll away from the hole for a long putt or even roll off the green.  These situations can be frustrating but with practice and dedication you can turn things around.