Golf is an amazing game that teaches life lessons beyond just learning the sport. If you are a parent looking for a golf camp for your daughter or son, this guide should be helpful. Below outlines the different types of golf camps, price points, and help you narrow down the right type of camp for you. Please note that the information below is our opinion about golf camps. We have no bias or financial incentive to promote any of the organizations described below.
Types of golf camps
There are 3 different types of golf camps that parents can choose from. Skill level, age of your child, and your budget will determine which type of camp is best.
Beginner Camps – These golf camps teach the fundamentals of the game in a low-key fun setting. PGA Junior Golf Camps are a good option for this. Local PGA & LPGA Professionals instruct and teach these camps. They take place all across the country and have 180 different local golf courses that offer camps. If there is not a PGA Junior Golf camp in your area, I’d recommend calling the local golf course to see if they are hosting any independent camps over the summer. Beginner camps are good for kids 7-14 years old.
Photo credit: PGA Golf Camps
Intermediate Camps – Mostly take place on college campuses by college golf coaches and assistant golf coaches. These camps are geared toward aspiring junior and high school golfers 13-18 years old. If you are a golfer who is playing in tournaments or aspire to play in tournaments, these camps are a good option. However, if you are a high school student looking at a specific college or university, going to a college camp will not increase your chances of making a college golf team or get recruited at the camp. If you go to a camp and are “exceptional” a coach may think more about you, but most of the time coaches are not recruiting students to their team specifically through a camp. You can find a list of the local golf camps in each state using this golf camp finder resource.
**There are some golf camps and organizations out there that cost a significant amount of money and promise that certain college coaches will be at the camp and it’s your chance to get recruited by these coaches. I would not recommend attending any golf camp that makes promises about coaches attending and recruiting guarantees. This is a “money grab” where many families can fall victim.
Elite Camps – There are many elite golf academies in the country which host golf camps, but also do 6 month or year long training for students. These academies are typically costly and meant for elite players who are trying to play college golf and receive a scholarship. If you are very serious about your game, want to take your game to the next level and want to work with top instructors like Sean Foley and Mike Bender, these could be a good option for you. I would not recommend sending a beginner golfer to an elite golf camp.
We hope you are enjoying this guide to golf camps for parents. If you enjoy this resource, you might like to take a look at some of our other education for high school golf parents.
Photo credit: PGA Golf Camps
Camps costs
Depending on the area of the country, length of camp, if the camp is during the day or overnight, the costs of camps really can vary. The cheapest golf camps are usually taught by people who are new to the game and may not be certified golf professionals through the PGA of America. Camps on college campuses tend to be some of the more affordable ones because in essence college campuses are community-based organizations and should be giving back to the local community. The most expensive camps are the elite camps taught by some of the best instructors in the world. The rule of thumb with golf camps is that you get what you pay for. The better and more experienced the instructor, the higher cost for the camp. Camp price ranges can go from $100-2000.
Camp alternatives
If you are not sure about making an investment into a golf camp, signing up your son or daughter for group golf lessons in your local community might be a good starting point. The best way to do this is finding a PGA Professional in your community. Beyond lessons at golf courses, the First Tee is a national organization that helps kids get introduced to the game and teaches lessons about life beyond just lessons on the course. Here is some info on where to find a First Tee program. Both the First Tee and local golf clinics are a little more cost effective if your child wants to test out the game.
Hope you enjoyed this guide to golf camps for parents and will check out the high school golf blog for more information and news specific to high school golf.