Sure, golf is a difficult game that confounds even the the world’s greatest players. (Just ask Jordan Spieth!)
Strange as it might sound, though, golf does not have to be a chore to learn. At least, that is the premise of SNAG Golf (Starting New at Golf).
Black Butte Ranch offered up SNAG Golf for the first time last summer. And this year, the golf professionals at Black Butte Ranch have gone on the road … or at least down the street to Sisters Elementary School.
Black Butte Ranch Director of Golf Jeff Fought, Head Golf Professional Tom Baker and Golf Shop Manager Emily Anderson all visited the elementary school students this week to give the kids a brief introduction to the game.
For the uninitiated, SNAG utilizes modified equipment — each club is designed with an extremely oversized head and “golf balls” that are more like tennis balls — designed to make the game simpler. The idea is to make golf a bit more user friendly, especially for young kids. No tiny white golf balls. No expensive equipment. Just a fun game that anyone would enjoy.
SNAG is designed to develop the fundamentals of the whole range of strokes and swings, including putting, chipping, pitching and full swing. It is why the The First Tee’s National School Program.
But most importantly, SNAG is a blast for students and teachers, alike.
As for Black Butte Ranch’s introduction this week at Sisters Elementary, well, it could not have gone much better.
“I think the kids really responded well to it,” Fought said. “You looked around, and all the kids looked like they were having fun.”
Black Butte Ranch will be back at Sisters Elementary next week. And the Ranch has plans to offer SNAG during the summer. To learn more about Black Butte Ranch’s SNAG program, call 855-210-5305 or the Golf Shop at 541-595-1545.