Summer golf programs for kids at Myrtle Beach and beyond

Summer vacation for kids is almost here – for some it’s already started. Most of us know golf could use a good shot in the arm to get more people playing. These same people know the juniors can be a great place to start.

However not all parents know just where to go to get their kids involved in the game. Fortunately there are some innovative programs available.

Arguably the most extensive program is being offered this summer by more than 46 golf courses along the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach in the Carolinas. Juniors (16 and under) get to play free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Participating are no-slouch top Myrtle Beach golf courses like Blackmoor, Litchfield, King’s North, Leopard’s Chase, Pawley’s Plantation, Tiger’s Eye and Glen Dornoch.

Myrtle Beach’s Summer Family Golf Tournament series is another way juniors can enjoy. These single-day events geared to families are hosted each Wednesday from June 29-August 10 at different Myrtle Beach courses.

The beauty of these tournaments is they are golfer-friendly to beginners as well as advanced players and are open to young and old with no minimum age limit or handicap needed to participate.

Cost is $40 for adults including a cart. Each tournament is a captain’s choice (scramble) format with some fun contests like closest-to-the-pin and long-drive. There are three divisions: Open; Couples and Adult/Youth.

“Millions of people come to the area during the summer months for family vacations, and we want to expose them to the Myrtle Beach golf experience, too,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “Growing the game is a primary mission of ours, and the Kids Play Free and Summer Family Tournament initiatives are both great ways to introduce new players to golf in a low stress and economically friendly way.”

At the exceptional Mystical Golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area, the Witch, The Wizard and Man O’ War, owner Claude Pardue gives juniors a half-price rate year-round. That plus an on-site “magical” castle clubhouse makes it a winner. See Mysticalgolf.com for more info.

If the idea of a multi-day golf camp appeals, there are several. Among them are the more than 20 PGA Tour Golf Camps located from the east to west coast (pgatourcamps.com/JuniorGolfCamp); US Golf Camp’s program at the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pa. open to juniors 9-18; Nike’s day and overnight golf camps at several locations such as Bandon Dunes, Ore. and Williamstown, Mass. (ussportscamps.com) and the Maine Golf & Tennis Academy, a golf, tennis and summer camp combo in Belgrade, Maine.

Many local recreational organizations also offer golf instruction to kids during the summer.