Golf participation at the junior level is up during the coronavirus era. The sport's socially distanced nature led many new, young players onto the course in 2020, and according to many local course pros, the demand for structured camp programs for kids was greater than expected as well.
Now that more kids are on the course, the next step for many of them is learning the right way to swing and manage a round of golf. Luckily teens and tweens (and younger) in our area have plenty of places close by to find a qualified teaching pro with the skills to help put the building blocks in place for a swing that could last a lifetime.
On Long Island, in addition to the many outlets the casual or advanced golfer can turn to for instruction, summer golf programs for junior players are designed to transform the youngster, whether new to the sport or experienced, into a skilled golfer.
Many public courses in Nassau and Suffolk feature summer camp programs that school young players in golf's key fundamentals, the various types of swings and strokes, as well as rules, etiquette and course 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 instructors. Campers leave each session with skills and knowledge in place for years of enjoyment on the course.
The following is a general overview of 2021 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.)
Bethpage State Park (Farmingdale): Bethpage's Summer Junior Golf Program is open to players of all skill levels from age 6 to 17. Half-day programs are geared toward younger players, while full-day camps are designed for intermediate and advanced players with on-course experience. A monthly program with tournament play is also available for competitive juniors. All programs feature a combination of skills development and performance-related training and fitness. Sessions begin the week of June 28. Register for full day ($775), half day ($500) and full-month sessions ($2,900) at the Bethpage / Golf Channel Academy website.
Cedars Golf Club (Cutchogue): The Cutchogue course offers two separate month-long sessions with start dates of July 5 and August 2. Campers meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with times varied by age group. Juniors age 6 to 10 benefit from group instruction and on-course play, and also receive a ten-round Cedars Junior Pass. Campers in the 11-to-15 group receive private instruction each week in addition to on-course play, group work and a full-season Junior Pass. Cost is approximately $600 per four-week session. Call (631) 734-6363 or e-mail ken@cedarsgolfclub.com to register or for full details.
Cherry Creek (Riverhead): Cherry Creek camp programs will be available in July and August. Specific details to follow. Call (631) 506-0777 for the latest information.
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 11 to 17, modified full-day camps for experienced players age 10 to 13, and half-day camps for beginners and intermediates age 8 to 11. There is also a special 90-minute session for "Wee Ones" age 6 and 7. All regular camps include hours of hands-on instruction led by certified PGA professionals. Full-day camps include on-course play and teaching. Weekly sessions for all programs begin July 6. Visit the PGA Junior Golf Camp site for full information on pricing, session dates and available discounts.
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 28, 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. Rates vary based on age group and time of sign-up. For all program information, schedules and registration forms, visit the Harbor Links website.
Indian Island Country Club (Riverhead): Indian Island's 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 $550 per week, per camper, with family, returnee and multi-week discounts available. Week-long sessions begin June 28 and continue until Labor Day weekend. See the Indian Island website for all details.
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 in late June. 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 $645 for Peninsula and Wind Watch, and $289 for Babylon, with discounts available before May 1. 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 12. Campers meet Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call (516) 766-1880 for pricing, program details and additional information.
Mill Pond (Medford): Camps are available in 4-day and 2-day sessions beginning July 6. The longer programs are designed for teen golfers age 12 to 16 and focus on all aspects of swing technique and fundamentals. Each session includes a team competition on Friday held at Rolling Oaks in Miller Place. Shorter programs are geared more toward beginners age 6 to 11 with a focus on swing fundamentals, rules and etiquette. 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.
Poxabogue Golf Center (Sagaponack): A total of ten sessions run from the week of June 21 to the week of August 23. 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 $549 per session, with family and multi-week discounts available. Visit the Poxabogue website for info and registration.
Stonebridge Golf Links (Hauppauge): Starting in mid July, 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 10 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 $385 for full day. All campers receive a Puma string bag. Discounts available for siblings and multiple sessions. Call (631) 724-7500 or visit the Stonebridge website for session schedules and registration info.
Sunken Meadow (Kings Park): PGA Junior Golf operates half-day camps for players of all skill levels from age 7 to 13, and modified full-day camps for juniors age 9 to 16. In each camp, players are divided into groups based on experience and receive hands-on instruction led by certified PGA professionals. Weekly sessions meet Tuesday through Friday beginning July 6. Cost is $299 per half-day session and $425 for full-day. Visit the Sunken Meadow site for full information.
Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course (Woodbury): Full-day camps (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for boys and girls age 10 to 16, and half-day camps (12 noon to 4 p.m.) for boys and girls age 6 to 10, are available starting June 29. 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 $650; half-day camp is $475. Referral discounts are available. Call (516) 364-3600 or visit TOB's Lucas Golf Center website for information and registration.
