Here is what some of our experienced PGA Junior Golf Camp Directors have to say in their own words about how they are getting ready for the summer camp season.

Plantation Golf Club

Frisco, TX

What changes have you made to teaching programs as a result of our current circumstances? How have your students responded?

As a result of our current circumstances, teaching programs have been segmented so that there are smaller classes. We have implemented a maximum of 4 students in a class. Class times have also been changed so that we can stagger classes and break times throughout the day. We also have the logistics of transitions during the day mapped out clearly through the use of guided paths as students move from different locations. When students work in a given section there are markers spaced six feet apart clearly indicating where to stand to keep a safe distance. This is consistent for the putting green, driving range and short game facility as well. I have even hired another person whose job is to sanitize our facility between rotations of students. Other safety measures that we have taken include that instructors are required to wear masks and gloves, and even though everyone is spaced six feet apart, we also provide masks for every single student that wants it. In response, the students have been happy to be out of the house and doing something in a fun, safe atmosphere. 

This has been a challenging time for everyone. What have you found is the biggest challenge in teaching? What have you done to meet this challenge?

The biggest challenge is not having the kinesthetic and hands-on aspects of teaching due to social distancing guidelines. As a result, I have had to rely heavily on verbal and visual cues. Doing this while maintaining six feet of space has been a challenge, so we have developed illustrations and animations to help teach technique. This incorporates an entertaining and fun aspect that will hold the students’ attention while also teaching important skills. The main focus is to create interesting and cohesive visual cues that will help students retain information. These visual cue cards are laminated and sanitized after each group.

What advice do you have for parents of potential campers during this time?

I want parents to know that everyone who is partnered with the PGA Junior Golf Camps is highly qualified to be doing what they are doing. The instructors also have student safety as their top priority. I want parents to feel assured that their kids are in good hands and we are doing the very best that we can to keep everyone safe.  

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned during the last few months?  

The biggest thing I have taken away from these times is the importance of my communication strategy with parents. I would have liked to have a more developed social media presence so that I could have that platform as my main means of communication, and not just have to rely so heavily on email since I get more interaction on social media.

What are you most looking forward to this summer camp season?

I am honestly just excited to see the kids and their happy faces. We weren’t sure that we were even going to be able to have camps and I am so glad that we are going to be able to. I am looking forward to seeing the new faces at camp, but also the ones who have been there before. We teach more than just golf, we teach bigger life lessons through golf. The mentorship part of the program has been something that has been lacking for me these past few months, and I am really looking forward to this rewarding part of camps.

• Andrew Frakes is the Director of PGA Junior Golf Camps at Plantation Golf Club. He is also the founder of The Frakes Method Golf Academy. As a member of the Callaway Kings of Distance Long Drive Team and Guinness Book of World Records, Andrew Frakes has proven himself on the course and shown his passion as a competitor of the sport. Andrew is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Professional Golf Management (PGM) program. As a driven golf instructor, Coach Frakes has developed a system that focuses on individual players progressing at their own pace. It is about the experience that the students are able to enjoy while on the course, which will result in returning to the course excited to play. Results of the Frakes Method can be seen in the players of all ages that have gone through any number of classes. From junior golfers, building skills and fixing habits as they progress; to adult golfers that are now competitive in the rounds they are sharing with friends and co-workers.

 

Colby Wollitz

Persimmon Ridge Golf Club

Louisville, KY

Due to the new safety guidelines that will be in place at the PGA Junior Golf Camps this summer season, there will be limited rental and loaner sets of clubs available. In order to help your child make the most of his or her camp experience, you will want to be sure that your child has all of the equipment that he or she needs, and we have you covered!

Don’t know what clubs your child might need? Check out this article that explains how to select the best clubs for your beginner, intermediate and advanced golfer.

In need of new golf balls? Check out these bundle deals at OnCore Golf.

For additional equipment needs, check out the PGA Junior Golf Camps online store.

At PGA Junior Golf Camps, the health and safety of campers is our primary focus.

Like you, we have been monitoring events related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working with our partner PGA Professionals, golf facilities as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine any changes to our current programming.

We will be notifying you via email and through our online blog of any changes to our current camp schedule. As always, we will be doing all we can to continue to educate and motivate campers for success on and off the course. Please be assured that health and safety of campers and staff is our highest priority and we will continue to monitor the situation throughout the coming months.

Thank you for your support of PGA Junior Golf Camps during this rapidly evolving situation.

Sincerely,
The Team at PGA Junior Golf Camps

Camp directors for PGA Junior Golf Camps have been honored with many accolades, and another national award has been bestowed on one of them. Judy Alvarez received the Patriot Award from the PGA of America at the most recent edition of the PGA Annual Meeting. This award is presented each year to a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who served and protected the United States of America.

Alvarez, PGA Head Professional at Sunken Meadow Golf Course in Kings Park, New York, has worked tirelessly over the years with veterans. She established six PGA HOPE programs in South Florida and has led seminars and free clinics for local military organizations. Traveling across the country, her work has impacted thousands of veterans and PGA Professionals. Additionally, she has been involved with Folds of Honor and Salute Military Golf Association. Her work over the years has had profound impacts on the lives of veterans.

In a video from the PGA of America, these veterans share what Alvarez has meant to them. One shared:

"She didn't realize the impact she has on a veteran; how much she gives, and how I'm proud to call her my friend, I'm proud to call her my teacher, my mentor. To me, she's my angel."

With the amount of work she has done with military veterans, the Patriot Award was well deserved. Watch the video below from the PGA of America to learn even more about her great work. 

Judy Alvarez - 2019 Patriot Award from PGA of America on Vimeo.

For much of the country, this time of the year is difficult on golfers. Courses are closed, indoor facilities are busy, the temperatures drop lower and lower, and precipitation is a normal occurrence. Here are a few ideas to help keep your game sharp during the winter.

Work on Your Grip

Even when the outdoors is wet or cold, you can always practice one of the most important aspects of the golf swing. After you’re shown a proper grip, practice holding the golf club correctly. Repeat the process of holding the club properly until it’s ingrained in your muscle memory.

Maintaining a good grip is important to good shots, allowing golfers to control the clubface more easily. Since the ball will head in the direction the clubface is pointing at impact, a good grip help maintain a stable clubface, assisting in producing more consistent good shots out on the course.

You can take a golf club and practice this at any time. For instance, while watching TV, practice your grip while sitting down. Grip the club, take your hands off, and re-grip the club. By the time golf season swings by, you’ll have one more element in your swing down pat.

Putt for Dough 

A 300 yard drive straight down the fairway counts the same on the scorecard as a putt, and getting the flatstick going is an essential part to any good round of golf. You can build a solid putting foundation by practicing indoors. Using a putting mat or just your carpet, golfers can repeatedly work on their stance and stroke. You can also improve aim and start line by introducing a target to your putting practice. If you’re on using carpet, a mug can suffice as an appropriate target. You’ll be able to make those testy little knee knockers look like gimmes, and hopefully lower your scores!

Fitness and Strength

 Winter is the perfect time to build the muscles and flexibility in your body. The time you would use on the practice green or driving range can be spent in the gym. With the amount of literature available on golf fitness, you can find the information to tailor your workouts to your specific needs. The benefits of spending time in the gym are plentiful. Improving your strength and flexibility can lead to longer shots. Who doesn’t love hitting a long drive past their playing partners? The benefits of your winter workouts will show up in the spring, leading to more fun out on the links.

Professional Help

Attend one of the winter PGA Junior Golf Camps at participating locations! You’ll be able to have fun and learn golf under the expertise of a PGA Professional!

WIN A WEEK OF GOLF CAMP! 

Summer is in full swing and we want to see your best photos from golf camp! Be sure to tag us and you could win a free hald day camp session!

Show off that improved golf swing, sinking a long putt, new camp friends or PGA camp swag and we will pick a winner at random to receive a golf camp credit to use on a future camp! 

Facebook     | Instagram    | Twitter

(Camps are subject to availability)

Check out these photos from camp so far this summer!