National School Program plays key role for golf’s future It’s
sometimes difficult to appreciate long-term initiatives when
your short-term outlook isn’t promising. With golf participation
declining and many courses starving for play, teaching the game
to school children who may – or may not – grow up to become golf
consumers hardly seems pressing. But gaining students’ undivided
attention while they’re in a safe, familiar learning environment
is an opportunity that simply can’t be missed. The First Tee
National School Program isn’t more important than short-term
participation solutions, but it’s a vital element in fixing
golf’s overall ills. This academic year, NSP will introduce golf
to elementary school students at more than 4,200 schools in
nearly 600 schools districts across the U.S. The custom-designed
golf curriculum will be offered as part of regular physical
education classes (K-5). Not only does the program teach motor
skills associated with the game, but it addresses personal and
social values as we