FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
STARTING IN THE PROGRAM
All players who are new to The First Tee of the Jersey Shore begin in one of three levels based on their age. Pee Wee Putters is the starting point for kids between 4 and 6 years old. Next is the PLAYer level, which is subdivided into PLAYer 1 and PLAYer Skills Development. PLAYer 1 is for new participants ages 7-11. PLAYer Skills Development is for participants who complete PLAYer 1. Teens on the Tee is for 12 and up who are new to The First Tee.PROGRESSING THROUGH THE PROGRAM
Participants will move through the program by completing the PLAYer levels, and then completing "certification" to move to the next level (Par, Birdie, Eagle, Ace)
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MOVE FROM ONE LEVEL TO THE NEXT?
The answer is dependent on the individual. Certification is the outcome of a fun learning process that occurs through time and may take up to two years to complete. Although session minimums are listed, repeating sessions is common and encouraged, especially for younger participants. Older players may move through the levels more quickly while it may take multiple sessions for younger participants. Participants who play and practice regularly may move through the levels more quickly than players who do not.HOW DO PARTICIPANTS BECOME “CERTIFIED”?
Participants must attend a certification day in order to certify and progress to the next level. If a participant meets the certification criteria, they are eligible to move to the next level. Coaches will let you know the details of upcoming certifications if your child is ready to progress. Five General Certification RequirementsARE THERE AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRESSING THROUGH LEVELS?
Minimum age requirement for PLAYer is 7 and for Ace is 14. All levels in between have recommended ages. If all other certification requirements are met, a player may move to the next level as early as one year younger than the recommended age. However, due to the age specific content of life skill curriculum, the recommended age is encouraged. (Recommended ages are as follows: Par 9, Birdie 11, Eagle 13.)IF MY PARTICIPANT DOES NOT MEET THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, CAN HE/SHE REASSESS TO TRY TO CERTIFY AGAIN?
Participants may attempt to certify as many times as they wish. Keep in mind our coaches will not recommend certification if your participant is not likely to succeed. We pride ourselves on setting all of our participants up for success and limiting the potential of failure in order to build their confidence in their abilities and skill.I’M NOT SURE WHAT LEVEL MY PARTICIPANT IS IN, HOW DO I SIGN THEM UP?
If you are a returning participant, the chapter program staff has records of the last class level you attended and for what level you were last certified. Please contact our program director, Pam Boccaccio, and we will let you know what level to sign up for next.HOW LONG DOES MY PARTICIPANT HAVE TO COMPLETE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH LEVEL?
The participant has as long as it takes him/her to complete all the requirements. For example, the Eagle level participants must complete ten 18-hole rounds in order to certify. This does not need to happen all in one session but they need to complete those rounds and meet the target score before they certify. Typically expect 1-2 years for each level. The lower levels my take less time and the higher levels typically take longer.DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? LET US KNOW! [email protected]