SNAG: Golf for Beginners

SNAG stands for "Starting New at Golf" and is a carefully thought-out system of golf instruction fundamentals, packaging and equipment for presenting golf to kids. It simplifies the game so anybody can play and have fun. It's priced economically so that families, groups and organizations can participate with no barrier to entry. SNAG simplifies the game of golf so kids can play anywhere open space is available. No golf course required.

Player Paks

Player paks are sets of clubs balls and related equipment needed to start playing. Snag has its own terminology for equipment which is all plastic except for the balls:

• Launcher (the name for irons used in launching (hitting off the Launch Pad), pitching and chipping
• Roller (equivalent to the putter)
• Launch Pad (a portable platter with tee to move and place the ball around the course)
• Carry Bag (cloth golf bag big enough to hold Launcher and Roller clubs)
• Flagsticky (flag with a round foam base wrapped with a velcro-like "sticky" surface)

This set is referred to as a Player Pak. It comes in both left and right hand versions.

Each Player Pak comes in three sizes:

• 26-inch (green) for 5-7 year-olds
• 30-inch (blue) for 8-10 year-olds
• 34-inch (red) for 11 years and older

There is a "Princess" Pak which is pink, equipped the same as Player Paks but comes in only two sizes (26-inch and 30-inch).

The colours refer to the club heads, so that clubs don't get mixed up between sets. Cost of all versions of the Player Paks is $100.00 each. But in this game, not every player needs their own set of clubs, this is up to you and your wallet.

Back to Contents

SNAG Resources

The SNAG website offers a well-rounded suite of tools. An instruction booklet (40-pages plus ) to let you know that SNAG is a world unto itself. Everything from SNAG's unique vocabulary and equipment to helpful hints on how to set up a course, tips on swing basics, grip (or 'hold' as they call it), special training tools to help 5-10 year olds understand the golf swing, practice drills (my favourite) and training aids. All this lore has earned it the term SNAGology. There are even tips on SNAG etiquette.

Other support features include:

• sample course design layout
• videos to illustrate play and player pak components
• score cards for download
• tips on setting up a SNAG tournament

Back to Contents

You could probably play SNAG anywhere: indoors, (meeting halls, gyms, malls); outdoors, (parking lots, lawns, soccer fields, even golf courses). People even play SNAG on the snow. Course design and play options are endless. It's a great low impact sport to teach kids basic motor skills, responsibility, etiquette and playing well with others.

I have even seen where SNAG was used at a company off-site retreat. The HR department utilized SNAG in a project to illustrate team building and leadership principles -- not to mention improve employee morale -- in a group exercise.As the SNAG literature says, even adults can do it.

Back to Contents

Highland Pacific GC just outside Victoria has the gear for Snag Golf. They are inviting suggestions for how to make it available for prospective customers (e.g. parties for kids, special promotions, demo days, etc.). If you are interested, get in touch with Anney or Matt at Highland Pacific's website.

Golf BC utilizes SNAG golf in its Junior Golf Academies at several of its courses, includiing:

• Arbutus Ridge GC (between Cobble Hill and Mill Bay on Vancouver Island), and
• Olympic View GC (in Langford)

Both these courses also offer SNAG in conjunction with Community Recreation centres in the surrounding municipalities.

Back to Contents

If you are thinking of a cool, low cost, way of introducing your young kids to the game of golf -- a way that you too, can join in and have fun -- I can't imagine a better system. And system is the word. SNAG is a a thoughtful, well-designed teaching and coaching method. It covers physical, mental aspects of physical education and is designed by professionals in a way that has proven very effective in coaching, teaching and recreation environments.

For more details, access to resources, a look at the instruction manual and a great demo video go to Snag's website

Back to Contents

Return from SNAG Golf to Golf For Kids