Many sports are on hiatus right now, but the golf course is one place that kids can still go and get their wiggles out. A number of courses around the Bay Area are offering golf lessons for kids ranging from individual lessons to group summer camps with social distancing protocols in place. Plus, you may uncover a hidden talent in your child; after all, some of the most notable golfers like Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie got their start at very young ages.
San Francisco
Golden Gate Park Golf
This three-par course with nine holes set in the heart of Golden Gate Park—within view of the park’s famous Dutch windmills—has revamped its kids PGA Junior Golf Camp program into two three-week-long sessions. While the first session is already underway, the second session begins in early July. All sessions are led by golf professional John Wolff and cover the fundamentals and techniques of the game in an engaging environment. The course also offers both private and semi-private lessons for kids.
Flanked by towering Monterey pine and eucalyptus trees and located on a national park site, this course is one of the oldest—and most picturesque—on the West Coast. Currently the course is only offering private junior lessons in either 30-minute or one hour increments, with up to two kids per lesson slot. But it also has one of the best (and biggest) driving ranges around, which should give your little linkster some extra practice whacking away at the ball.
300 Finley Rd. San Francisco, Ca 415-561-4653 Online: presidiogolf.com
East Bay
Diablo Creek Golf Course
First Tee
Junior golf camps at Diablo Creek are offered through First Tee, a non-profit that offers golf lessons and clinics to kids, including disadvantaged youth, in Contra Costa County. First Tee is holding 4-days-a-week summer golf camps, which emphasize not only the game but also positive life skills, now through the first week of August for youth ages 7 to 16. Diablo Creek also offers private and semi-private junior lessons year-round.
4050 Port Chicago Hwy Concord, Ca 925-686-6262 Online: diablocreekgc.com
Peninsula/South Bay
San Bruno Golf Center
Junior golf is in full swing at this two-level golf practice area with golf camps all summer long. Held by Mr. Peter's Golf Camp, each session carefully adheres to social distancing protocols. While there is no actual golf course, there is plenty of space to swing, chip, putt and learn all the fundamentals of good play. Camps are designed for ages 4 and up and integrate snack breaks and mini-contests into the program to keep it fun. During the school year, Coach Peter offers weekend lessons for kids.
This open-to-the-public club is holding half and full-day junior summer camps through July for kids ages 6-17 with a maximum of 12 kids per camp. Kids will learn rules of play, golf etiquette and will play the executive short course each day. The course also offers affordable, hour-long lessons for kids 9 and under on the weekends only through its Little Linksters program and Junior Clinics for kids 9-13.
This 9-hole course with a miniature golf park, restaurant and snack shack in San Rafael is already a kid-friendly destination for families, so it’s natural that it’s a destination for kids’ golf lessons too. McInnis Park is offering 3 three-week sessions of golf camps and golf schools this summer, both designed to teach fundamentals as well as improve golf performance. It also offers individual and small group junior lessons as well.
Located in close proximity to China Camp in San Rafael, Peacock Gap was designed by the same designer as the world-famous Torrey Pines, making it a popular destination for golf aficionados. Currently, Peacock Gap is only offering individual lessons at the junior level; several professionals are available for one-on-one instruction. Tip: On Mondays, kids eat for free at the course’s restaurant, the RangeCafe, where outdoor seating is plentiful.