PLAY TO LEARN
We believe the best way to learn golf is to actually play it. Our Learn to Play programs are for kids ages 6-17 to move beyond the practice tee, providing junior golfers with guided, on-course access for more recreational, low stress experiences. By combining fundamental skill-building with the excitement of tournament “feels” our goal is to give aspiring players the ability to build the confidence, etiquette, and technique needed for a lifetime in the game.
A structured, long-term
player development platform designed to take beginners and intermediate players from their first swing to shooting even par (36) for nine holes
Compete in the fundamental skills of golf: driving,
chipping & putting.
Free for juniors ages 7-15
The NENY PGA Section’s transition tournament series for golfers aged 6–18, bridging the gap between basic instruction and competitive play through a dedicated membership
and schedule on shorter
courses to play for experience
vs. competition.
OPERATIONS 36
LEARNING TROUGH PLAY
The core philosophy of Op 36 is that beginners and intermediate players should experience the “win” of making a par early on and offers juniors the excitement and joy of immediately getting onto the golf course. Instead of starting at the far-away tee box.
- 2 Sessions offered in the Spring on Monday’s from early May to mid June after school hours from 3:30pm-5pm & 5:30pm-7pm
- 1 Fall Session offered in Fall on Thursday’s from September 10 - October 15, 2026 after school hours from 3:30pm-5pm
- 6 weeks in length and includes instruction, separate digital App to log practices and level up, on course play from yardage markers, and Op36 hats
- Session spots are limited and cost is $400
DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT
Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) is a high-profile, free national youth golf development initiative in the United States. Established in 2013, it is a joint venture between the Masters Tournament, the United States Golf Association (USGA), and the PGA of America.
The program is designed to grow the game by making golf accessible and fun, culminating in a prestigious National Championship held at Augusta National Golf Club each year.
The Core Competition Format
The initiative focuses on the three fundamental skills of the game. Participants compete in four age categories (7–15) for both boys and girls. Points are awarded based on performance in three distinct stations:
• Drive: Players hit drives in a 40-yard wide fairway. Points are based on distance, provided the ball stays in bounds.
• Chip: Participants perform chips from a short distance (typically 10–15 yards) toward a scoring hole. Points are awarded based on how close the ball stops to the pin.
• Putt: This tests precision on the green. Players take three putts from varying distances (6, 15, and 30 feet), with points scaled by proximity to the hole.
The Path to Augusta
The initiative operates through a tiered qualifying structure, allowing kids from all backgrounds to participate at a local level before advancing:
1. Local Qualifying: Hundreds of sites across all 50 states host initial events.
2. Sub-Regional Qualifying: The top performers from locals move to the next stage in a regional area.
3. Regional Qualifying: Held at historic, high-profile golf courses, the top junior earns a spot into the National Championship.
4. National Championship: The Regional Age Division winner, earns an invitation to Augusta National Golf Club on the Sunday before the Masters Tournament begins.
Mission, Accessibility & Impact
DCP has no financial barriers and is accessible to all as a completely free competition and also includes a tee gift for all participants. By breaking golf down into three manageable skills, it makes the game less intimidating for beginners while remaining challenging for more elite juniors. DCP offers an “experience” in the game of golf that can transform practice into a game that helps to keep kids engaged longer.
A BRAND NEW OFFERING!
This developmental series is exclusively designed for juniors, both boys and girls, that want to start experiencing organized play on a golf course.
Your junior golfer will have fun interacting with his or her peers as well as enjoying time spent with parents! Parents are encouraged to caddie, help keep score, give advice and help with rules & etiquette.
The intent of this program is not about a competitive score vs. the field of golfers
but rather an incentive based “stamped” scoring system that focuses on improvement of skill
and on course play of your golfer against their own score. For example, tracking number of
birdies, pars, and bogeys and watching their name move up a digital leaderboard.
The courses may be modified in length and number of holes to cater to the age levels.
JR. FUTURES TOUR MEMBERSHIP
The 2026 Learn to Play Junior Series membership fee is $50! This registration fee gives juniors and their families access to both online tournament directories, which house tournament schedules, entries and other important information including direct email and text notifications. For example, tracking number of birdies, pars, bogeys, double bogeys through the season.
OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE:
• Ability to apply “Learn to Play Series” Membership ($50) towards the
“Junior Tour Series” membership to compete in all events both Learn to Play & Tour Series
• Learn to Play Series Tee Gift(s)
• Includes end of the season fun, family outing exclusive
for Learn to Play Series membership
• Ability to play and make friends that will last a lifetime!
