[Looking for this year's camp info? See the Guide to 2024 Summer Golf Camps on Long Island.]
It might still feel like the summer is a long way off, but before you know it, the spring will have come and gone, and you'll be standing in the center of a lush fairway under a hot July sun. And as you try to float that wedge over a trap to a front pin, why not give the junior golfer in your family the opportunity to pick up those same skills under the guidance of a Long Island teaching pro? There are summer golf programs available in your area that will set the building blocks of a lifelong interest in golf for boys and girls, whether they are new to the sport or carrying years of casual or competitive playing experience.
Many public courses in Nassau and Suffolk feature summer camp programs that school young players in golf's key fundamentals and the various types of swings and strokes, as well as rules, etiquette and safety. Kids work closely with teaching pros on the course, in the range and around practice greens and bunkers; in some cases, the pros working with your young golfer have been recognized nationally for their work as junior-golf instructors. Campers leave each session with skills and knowledge in place for years of enjoyable experiences on the course.
The following is a general overview of 2017 summer golf camps available and open for registration at various public courses around Long Island. For more information, follow the links below to the course websites and junior camp pages.
(Please note this list only includes camp programs hosted at public golf courses. This does not include golf programs held at general summer camps or any type of private instruction.)
Bergen Point (West Babylon): Two camp sessions are open to golfers of all skill levels from age 7 to 17. PGA pros instruct campers on the short game and full swing in the driving range and on the course. Camps meet once a week (for four weeks) on either Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch and beverages included. Cost is $250 per session. Applications are available on the Bergen Point website.
Cedars Golf Club (Cutchogue): The Cutchogue course offers two separate sessions in July (7/5 to 7/31) and August (8/2 to 8/28). Campers meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with times varied by age group. Juniors age 10 and under benefit from group instruction and on-course play, and also receive prizes, pizza lunches and a ten-round Cedars Junior Pass. Those in the 11-and-over group receive 30 minutes of private instruction each week in addition to on-course play, group work and a full-season Junior Pass. Cost is $570 per four-week session (10 and under); $600 per four-week session (11 and over). Extended instruction is available for additional cost. Call (631) 734-6363 or e-mail [email protected] to register or for full details.
Cherry Creek (Riverhead): Cherry Creek offers camp sessions in July and August. Dates and program details will be available later in the spring. Contact the pro shop at (631) 369-6500 for info.
Eisenhower Park (East Meadow): PGA Junior Golf operates a series of camps for all ability levels, including advanced camps for competitive juniors. The program includes full-day camps for players age 12 to 17, modified full-day camps for experienced players age 8 to 13, and half-day camps for beginners and intermediates age 7 to 13. There is also a special 90-minute session for "Wee Ones" age 4 to 6. All regular camps include hours of hands-on instruction and advanced teaching technology. Full-day camps include nine holes each day and on-course teaching. Visit the PGA Junior Golf Camp site for full information on pricing, session dates and available discounts.
Glen Cove Golf Club: Weekly sessions typically run from late June through the month of August. Camps meet Monday to Friday and cover the full swing, pitching, chipping, putting, rules and etiquette. Call (516) 671-0033 for 2017 pricing, schedules and registration info.
Harbor Links Golf Course (Port Washington): Harbor Links offers a wide variety of programs led by teachers all named U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructors. Camps begin the week of June 26, with sessions available through August. Weekly programs for kids age 6 to 9 run Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and include games and drills that help develop important skills and fundamentals, in addition to a skills competition and gift packet. Separate programs for teens age 10 to 16 are split into four-hour AM and PM sessions and run Monday to Friday. These cover the full swing, short game, course management, rules and etiquette, and conclude with a two-day "Junior Scramble" team tournament. Early registration (before April 25) is $495 for the 6-9 camp and $595 for the 10-16 camp. For all program information, schedules and registration forms, visit the Harbor Links website.
Indian Island Country Club (Riverhead): Indian Island's 16th annual golf camp consists of week-long sessions that include lessons, lunch, prizes, golf gear, skills contests and on-course competition. Camps are open to boys and girls of all skill levels between the ages of 7 and 16. Fees are $525 per week, per camper, with family, returnee and multi-week discounts available. Week-long sessions begin June 26 and continue until Labor Day weekend. See the Indian Island camp brochure for all details.
Island's End Golf & Country Club (Greenport): Hour-long junior clinics are offered each Thursday in the summer, open to boys and girls age 5 and up. Camp info will be available later in the spring. Visit the Island's End website for more information.
Long Island Golf Camps / Mike Reilly Golf Academy (Massapequa, Babylon, Hauppauge): Long Island Golf Camps runs programs at three public courses -- Peninsula Golf Club (Massapequa), Sumpwams Creek/E. Donald Conroy Golf Course (Babylon) and Wind Watch Golf & Country Club (Hauppauge). The Peninsula and Wind Watch camps are week-long, full-day programs (9:00/9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with sessions beginning June 26. They include instruction on different aspects of the swing, on-course play and daily lunch. Babylon camps run Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; afternoon sessions might be available based on demand. Instruction takes place on the course and in the short-game area. Enrollment is $595 for Peninsula, $605 for Wind Watch and $249 for Babylon. For schedules and registration, and for information on a fourth camp program held at the private Colonial Springs Golf Club in East Farmingdale, visit the Long Island Golf Camps website.
Middle Bay (Oceanside): Six full-week sessions begin on July 10. Camps meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday and include instruction on the course, practice green, in the driving range and the short-game area. Cost is $429 per weekly session with family and multiple-week discounts available. Call (516) 766-1880 for additional details.
Mill Pond (Medford): Camps are available in 3-day and 5-day sessions beginning in early July. The shorter programs are beginner-oriented with a focus on swing fundamentals, rules and etiquette. Juniors with some playing experience will also receive instruction on course management. Week-long programs are geared to more experienced juniors, with on-course instruction included during the last two days. (On-course play will be held at Rolling Oaks Golf Course in Miller Place.) Beginning July 25, additional high school development camps are available for experienced golfers age 12 to 17 looking to advance their game on a competitive level. Discounts for Town of Brookhaven residents are offered. Visit the Mill Pond website or call (631) 732-8249 for info on registration, pricing, schedules and program format.
Pine Ridge Golf Club (Coram): Full-week sessions for beginners and intermediate players begin the week of June 26. Camps are full-day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and focus on fundamentals to build the foundation of a proper swing, with on-course play included. The $299 camp fee covers daily lunch and a goodie bag. Visit the Pine Ridge website for session dates and online registration.
Poxabogue Golf Center (Sagaponack): A total of ten sessions run from the week of June 26 to the week of August 28. Sessions are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and are open to boys and girls from age 7 to 16. Campers will learn basics of the full swing, short game, course management, rules and etiquette, and will receive golf gear, snacks and giveaways. Cost is $479 per session. Visit the Poxabogue website for info and registration.
Smithtown Landing Country Club (Smithtown): Smithtown Landing hosts camp programs led by PGA professional and Hall of Famer Michael Hebron. Instruction covers grip, swing, putting, chipping, pitching, rules and etiquette. Call (631) 979-6534 for 2017 pricing, schedules and registration info.
Spring Lake Golf Club (Middle Island): Spring Lake is celebrating its 50th anniversary and will once again offer four-day camps the week of July 25 (age 11 to 14) and the week of August 1 (age 8 to 10). Camps meet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with lunch and on-course play every afternoon. Cost is $249 and includes an anniversary hat. Contact Spring Lake pro Cristy Jurgens at (631) 924-5115.
Stonebridge Golf Links (Hauppauge): Starting July 10, full- and half-day programs are available for beginners through intermediate players. Half-day sessions (9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.) are geared to beginners age 6 to 9 and focus on fundamentals, rules, etiquette and course/club basics. Full-day camps (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) help experienced players age 10 and up improve on skills and knowledge through on-course play and instruction. Cost is $215 for half day and $375 for full day. All campers receive a Nike golf shirt and glove. Discounts available for siblings and multiple sessions. Call (631) 724-7500 for session schedules and registration info.
Timber Point (Great River): PGA Junior Golf runs programs for beginners and experienced players, as well as advanced camps for competitive juniors. Full-day camps for players age 10 to 16 are designed to improve technical skills and course management. Half-day camps are suited for beginners and intermediates age 7 to 13. Advanced camps focus on game improvement, course management and competitive play. All camps include hours of hands-on instruction and advanced teaching technology. Costs are $650 for full/advanced and $395 for half-day. Visit the PGA Junior Golf Camp site for session dates and registration.
Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course (Woodbury): Full-day camps for boys and girls age 10 to 17, and half-day camps for boys and girls age 6 to 10, are available starting the week of June 28. Camps meet Tuesday through Friday. Teaching pros cover chipping, putting, rules and etiquette, and instruction takes place on and off the course. Full-day camp is $600; half-day camp is $425. Multi-week discounts are available. Call (516) 364-3600 or e-mail [email protected] for information and registration.
West Sayville Golf Course (West Sayville): A total of six week-long programs (Tuesday to Saturday, four hours per day) will be offered beginning on July 11. Campers receive instruction on and off the course, with lessons concentrating on all aspects of the swing, including grip, stance and alignment. The Saturday session consists of nine-hole play, an awards ceremony and pizza party. The $425 fee also includes shirt, hat and rule book. Multi-week discounts are available. Visit the course website and download the camp registration form for more information.
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