What we do

First Tee – Pittsburgh (commonly referred to as FTP ) is a non-profit youth development program that delivers life skills and character education to young people ages 5-18 through the game of golf.  Participants join us for lessons in putting, chipping, pitching, full swing and on course play while they also learn healthy habits, goal setting, Respect, Courtesy, Confidence and more.

First Tee Pittsburgh’s mission: To impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

CLICK HERE to download our 2023 Parent Mini-Handbook prepared by First Tee – Pittsburgh

BUILDING GAME CHANGERS

CLICK HERE to download the 2021 Parents’ Guide prepared by the First Tee Home Office

Weekly Classes/Lessons

During the golf season, we offer a Spring session, a Summer session, and a Fall session at just about all of our locations.  During these sessions we conduct group golf clinics that are once per week for 6 weeks.  Class times are typically 75 minutes. A little longer with the older participants.

During the off-season, we offer a Year-End (Nov-Dec) session, a Winter (Jan-Feb) session, and an Indoor Pre-Season (March) session in our indoor golf simulators currently located at the Arnold Palmer Learning Center in Schenley Park, our Pleasant Ridge location in Stowe Township, and the Wallace School Building located in Baldwin. Class times are typically 75 minutes.  Click HERE for more information about our Indoor SIM Golf.

We also host Summer Camps, Participant Invitational Tournaments, and other great events.

What is a Group Golf Clinic?

Our Group Golf Clinics are 6 weeks long and meet once per week.  The participants will learn about, then be tested on their Life Skills knowledge, their golf knowledge, and their golf ability.  There will be pre-set minimums needed to earn badges. However the complete badging process isn’t ready just yet. This feature will be coming soon.

Why Golf?

Golf is unique from other sports because players learn values like honesty and responsibility by calling penalties on themselves and reporting their own score. The sport is a perfect platform for helping young people develop character.  Just like in life, players experience the highs and lows of the game.

What Do the Experts Say?

An independent research study* confirmed that youth involved in First Tee Life Skills Experience (the curriculum delivered at chapters) learn and use life skills on the golf course and transfer these skills to other areas of their life. In fact, 100% of First Tee participants interviewed said they transferred life skills learned at First Tee to school. Seventy-eight percent are transferring skills such as decision making, setting goals and managing their emotions from the golf course to other areas of their lives including situations with friends, family, after school activities and jobs. The study also revealed First Tee Life Skills Experience’s ability to impart core values on youth. After participating in First Tee for three years, 73% reported high confidence in their academic ability and 82% felt confident in their social abilities with peers.

* “Longitudinal Effects of The First Tee Life Skills Education Program on Positive Youth Development” led by University of Minnesota’s Maureen R. Weiss, Ph.D. from 2005 to 2008. Visit www.firsttee.org to read the full summary report.

Is PARTICIPANT ATTENDANCE important?

Attendance is a key component to the success, development, and progression of the First Tee program. Participants are expected to attend as many classes as ppossible during the 6-week session.  Cummulative hours will be needed for the upcoming badging program. Also, participants are asked to arrive at your first class TEN minutes BEFORE the start time.

Do I have to REGISTER online?

All clinics are capped and registration is first come, first served.  Online registration is mandatory.  Please click on the REGISTER button on the top of the page to go to our registration portal.  Please note:  After you register, you will not receive any additional confirmation regarding your registration unless there is an issue.

Also, THE REGISTRATION IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED BY FIRST TEE – PITTSBURGH.  A participant spot will not be held without payment in full or without a completed scholarship (financial aid) form.

Why register online?

It is the only way to participate in our programs.  Our registration is SAFE, SECURE, and CONVENIENT.

How much are the fees?

CLICK HERE for current Pricing Information

Do you offer any programs in the winter?

During our Year-End, Winter, and Indoor Pre-Season sessions we offer 5-week SIM Golf with Instruction for all levels in our state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators.

Click HERE for more information about our Indoor SIM Golf.

Currently, our indoor program locations are at the Arnold Palmer Learning Center in Schenley Park, our Pleasant Ridge location in Stowe Township, and Wallace School Building in Baldwin.

Is there Parent Orientation information?

CLICK HERE to download our newest Parent Mini-Handbook.  The Parent Mini-Handbook has all of the policies specific to First Tee Pittsburgh.

Do you offer SCHOLARSHIPS (Financial Aid)?

Scholarships (Financial Aid) are available for ALL clinics at ALL locations and are based on your families need of support. To apply, you must complete your request online as part of the official registration process. Once the chapter is able to review your request, you will be notified on the level of scholarship provided and alerted to complete registration and confirm your child’s spot in the program.

What is your INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY?

In the event of inclement weather, a decision regarding the cancellation of programming will be made by the class’s Lead Coach.  You will receive an email from the Lead Coach if your class is canceled for any reason.

Please do not call the local golf courses about program information.  Please email your coach or call First Tee Pittsburgh at 412-622-0108. 

We will make up 1 cancelled class in a session. However, due to scheduling constraints, we can only make up 1 cancelled class.

What is your refund policy?

If the refund is requested before classes begin, a full refund will be issued. Once classes begin, the refund will be pro-rated.

Do I need to buy ANY EQUIPMENT?

First Tee Pittsburgh will provide all needed equipment, FREE of CHARGE, during our weekly programs for those that do not have their own. We will insure that all of our equipment meets the needs of your participant and is the correct size.  Although we supply everything needed, your particiapnt may bring/use their own equipment.

What Attire should my participant wear?

All participants should wear comfortable clothes (that is weather appropriate) and athletic shoes. This includes appropriate length shorts or slacks WITH POCKETS, shirts with sleeves, and sneakers or golf shoes.  Birdie, Eagle, and Ace participants must come in golf appropriate attire unless otherwise specified.

What Golf Clinic should I register for?

First Tee Pittsburgh classes are now all age-based. Please select the appropriate class based on your participants’ age.

What is Girl’s Golf?

Girl’s Golf is a special program that meets on Saturdays throughout the year at the Bob O’Conner Golf Course from 11:00AM – 1:00PM.

All girls ages 9 – 18 who participate in clinics with First Tee or who would like to join our unique program are welcome. It is recommended that 7 to 9-year-old girls complete at least one of our Open Clinics so they are familiar with our introductory level of programming.

In keeping with the First Tee mission, this program is dedicated to teaching life skills, core values and healthy habits through the game of golf. With that said, we spend at least 90 minutes playing golf related games on the putting green, at the range, in the simulators and when ready, on the course. Now, we introduce various aspects of the game of golf including, general golf knowledge, rules of golf, basic golf skills, etiquette, safety on the course, course management including pace of play.

In addition to golf, our Girl’s program works on overcoming obstacles, on and off the golf course, self-managing emotions, the art of healthy competition and goal setting. At each session, the girls can share their lives and stories with each other discussing their experiences in school, what homeschool is like, extra-curricular activities and other golf experiences they have enjoyed. They learn from each other how to work together to become “Game Changers” by exploring diversity each member brings to the group.

Occasionally, we schedule special events and field trips. Typically, we like the girls to generate ideas or share unique experiences they have enjoyed with the group. Examples of field trips are: Play 60 at the History Center followed by our traditional lunch at Primanties, local college or professional golf tournaments hosted in the Pittsburgh area, visit to the zoo, breakfast and morning round of golf at a local Par 3 with the addition of other First Tee girls from off-site locations.

Seasonal holidays are celebrated at the APLC, usually with yummy treats. Girl’s Golf has hosted our annual First Tee Halloween Party for the past nine years and participate in our annual Night Golf Event at The Bob in the fall. The Winter Holiday party is always enjoyed by the girl’s, as they come in their PJ’s to play indoor golf and exchange white elephant gifts. Another long-standing tradition.

When opportunities arise, we encourage our Girl’s Golf program to assist with volunteer projects. Over the years, they have participated at both North and South Parks “Day in the Park” showcasing the various activities available at our County Parks, including First Tee.

Newsletter Members get early notice about upcoming Registrations.