Fall Finale

First Tee Players and Parents finished off 2024 with a great time at Steele Creek. Though the rains came and delayed the round, it was a close battle to the end as the top two teams tied, leading to a scorecard playoff victory for the team of Dodd & Cox, with Earley & Neal coming in second.

Birdies 4 Bucks wrapped up last Friday with 40 birdies made by the two teams. This results in over $6,000 raised for local hurricane relief! Thank you to our donors who supported this effort with incredible generosity. If you'd like to contribute, there is still time...

First Tee Life Skills

Dreams & Goals

Do you have big dreams? Are there things you wish you could achieve? What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

No matter what age you are, it is never too early to begin to dream about what you want to accomplish in life. Unfortunately, there is no magic wand or secret formula to help you achieve your dreams. Dreams become reality through hard work and many little steps called goals that lead you to where you want to be.

Goals are a strategy that you can use in life to help you work toward achieving your dreams. There are short-term goals — goals that do not take a long time to accomplish, but help you take small steps and build your confidence. And there are long-term goals — goals that are not accomplished right away and require many short-term goals and steps to reach them.

The important thing to remember about dreams and goals is that they take time. With motivation and hard work, as well as patience and persistence, you will grow and learn along the way from Pursuing Goals from both the things you accomplish and achieve as well as from your setbacks and failures. First Tee is excited to support you as you learn and grow, and as you set and pursue your dreams and goals. 

First Tee Fundamentals

Clubface & Ball Contact

Making solid contact with the golf ball is key to hitting accurate, powerful shots. The clubface is the flat part of the club that hits the ball, and the way it meets the ball determines where it goes. If your clubface is square—meaning it’s pointing directly at the target at impact—you’re more likely to hit a straight shot. But if it’s open (pointing right) or closed (pointing left), the ball can curve away from your target.

To improve accuracy, aim and alignment are crucial. Before swinging, make sure your feet, hips, and shoulders are lined up with your target, and point the clubface straight at it. This setup can help you keep your clubface square, giving you more control over both distance and direction.

To practice, try a simple “gate drill.” Place two tees in the ground just wider than your clubhead, and swing through them without touching the tees. This helps you build a straight, consistent swing path. You can also practice in front of a mirror to make sure your clubface stays square during your swing.

Getting the clubface right takes time, but each practice brings you closer to hitting straighter, longer shots. Next time you’re on the range, picture the clubface giving the ball a clean “high-five” at impact—this is what good contact feels like, and it’s the foundation of a great golf shot!