Developmental Stage: Skills Progression–
Level 3

Ages 10 to 15 years (boys & girls)


Level 3 is a motor skill development program designed for certified junior golfers ages 10 to 15. At this stage, boys and girls are developmentally ready to acquire the cornerstones of all athletic development. This is also the time where recognizable athletic programming begins and where emphasis is placed on teaching swing fundamentals and other technical components such as how to achieve optimum balance, posture, flexibility, strength, power and positive attitude.

Each color tier has a defined purpose. The program takes fundamental movements and progressively links them together into "healthy" game improvement habits, which in turn develops the ability to play and score better. A child may stay at a given level until he or she can demonstrate a proven ability to perform the key concepts of each level. Level 3 begins with WHITE and ends with the passing of BLACK. The classes meet for five 60-minute sessions with a minimum of three and a maximum of five students to one instructor ratio.

Please note:
Do not view Level 3 as a one-season program. A child must meet the minimum requirements at each color tier to advance to the next tier, or they will remain at that color tier. Every child is unique and a child’s advancement is only a matter of practice and time. If a child has difficulty completing a color tier, our system allows every parent to know and understand what their child needs improvement upon. Repeating the class or private instruction will be provided to meet the key concept requirements of each color tier.

Cost per color tier class: $175

Color Tiers: White, Green, Blue, Red, Brown and Black (A junior may opt to advance into either Red or Brown following completion of color tier Blue)

WHITE: Body Control

Golf Knowledge:
  • Introduction to the etiquette and safety issues involved with the game.
  • Recognize putting green, fringe, fairway, rough, teeing ground.
Equipment:
  • Proper length clubs are available.
Required Skill Set:
  • Differentiate between putting, chipping and full swing.
Key concepts to move to next level:
Stroke Development:
  • Grip: Holding the club with two hands close together.
  • A stationary center (head) to pivot around.
  • Balance & Tempo Basics.
  • Importance of ball position.
Physiological Training:
  • Healthy straight spine, balance, exposure to core and lower back strength.

GREEN: Direction & Feel

Golf Knowledge:
  • All Level 1 & 2 Introductory Clinics etiquette and safety issues involved with the game.
  • Shows respect and care for maintaining healthy on-course playing conditions.
Equipment:
  • Must have a properly sized putter.
Required Skill Set:
  • Level 3–WHITE concepts and proficiency.
Key concepts to move to next level:
Stroke Development:
  • Understanding a target line.
  • Minimal putter-face rotation.
  • Swing Plane: Movement of the club down the target line.
  • Rhythm: Clubhead and hands moving at same rate.
  • The ability to demonstrate directional and distance control on the putting green.
Physiological Training:
  • Healthy straight spine, core and lower back strength.
Mental Development:
  • Learn repetitive routine or procedure for each shot, and exposure to positive thinking and basic relaxation skills.

BLUE: Impact Alignments

Golf Knowledge:
  • Basic understanding of loft and proper club selection.
Equipment:
  • Must have a properly sized wedge.
Required Skill Set:
  • Level 3–WHITE & GREEN concepts and proficiency.
Key concepts to move to next level:
Stroke Development:
  • Grip: Effective and functioning grip.
  • Posture & Stance: Positioning of feet either side of the ball.
  • Ball Position: Ball placed left of face.
  • Handle of the club set forward of the clubhead at address, and remains in this position through impact.
  • A "flat"left wrist impact alignment.
  • Hit down on the golf ball (create divot after the ball).
Physiological Training:
  • Healthy straight spine, core and lower back strength.
Mental Development:
  • Learn about creative imagery.

RED: Power Sources

Golf Knowledge:
  • Scoring is relative to the ability to create distance— form must follow.
Equipment:
  • Must have a properly sized set of clubs.
Required Skill Set:
  • Level 3–WHITE, GREEN & BLUE concepts and proficiency.
Key concepts to move to next level:
Stroke Development:
  • Posture & Stance: Positioning of feet relative to ball position.
  • Ball position controls the power "sequencing" of the swing.
  • Balanced, full swing turn (pivot) of the body.
  • Forming and storing angles between the arms, hands and club.
  • Approach angle and club path to the ball.
Physiological Training:
  • Healthy straight spine, flexibility, rotational strength and nutrition.
Mental Development:
  • Confidence skills development.

BROWN: Sand or Bunkers

Golf Knowledge:
  • Basic understanding of loft and proper club selection.
Equipment:
  • Must have a properly sized sand wedge.
Required Skill Set:
  • Level 3–WHITE, GREEN & BLUE concepts and proficiency.
Key concepts to move to next level:
Stroke Development:
  • Posture & Stance: Positioning of feet relative to ball position.
  • Ball position controls the power "sequencing" of the swing.
  • Balanced, full swing turn (pivot) of the body.
  • Forming and storing angles between the arms, hands and club.
  • Approach angle and club path to the ball.
Physiological Training:
  • Healthy straight spine, flexibility, stability and rotational strength.
Mental Development:
  • Confidence skills development.

BLACK: Scoring

BLACK is the highest level a child can achieve in our Skills Progression–Level 3. By passing the required tests, the junior golfer has a proven proficiency of understanding all our concepts, the necessary essentials and imperatives for playing well, and proven ability to create a desired action and/or outcome.

Golf Knowledge:
  • Body, clubhead and clubface control. Proper golf swing motion and sequence.
Equipment:
  • Must have a properly sized set of clubs.
Required Skill Set:
  • Level 3–WHITE, GREEN, BLUE, RED & BROWN concepts and proficiency.
Key concepts to pass BLACK: Scoring:

Must meet the scoring parameters set forth in all the tests.

Online: Click here to register online.
Phone: 630 260 8199
In-person: Cantigny Golf Academy and Golf Shop, 27w270 Mack Road, Wheaton, IL

Developmental Stage Dates & Times

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