Eagle Level Certification Requirements (Participant has passed PLAYer, Par and Birdie Levels and is at least 13 years of age)

For advanced golfers age 13 and older, this level of instruction is comprised of eight lessons (two hours each) and includes demonstrations and practice for the challenges that golfers face such as sand (bunker) play and specialty shots. Participants must have successfully completed the BIRDIE Level of instruction. ATTENDANCE: During the eight-week session at the end of which participants intend to move up, they MUST have attended six out of eight classes. A minimum of 64 hours (at least four 8-week sessions) of training is required, depending on individual student’s age and skill level (60 minimum class hours). HOMEWORK: It is critical that students complete the homework assignments given each week by their coaches. These are found in the Yardage Book they receive appropriate to the level of training. It is also imperative that they find time to practice their golf skills between classes. MENTORING: This is also the level at which participants should begin to “give back” to golf, by serving as youth mentors to our youngest participants, usually at the TARGET level (5-6 year-olds) by assisting First Tee Coaches with class presentation on Saturday or Sunday mornings or afternoons. LIFE SKILLS: Pass a Life Skills/Healthy Habits test composed of 30 questions by scoring 24 out of 30. GOLF SKILLS: Pass a Golf Knowledge test composed of 25 questions by scoring 20 out of 25. PUTTING: Pass a putting test consisting of 18 holes from 10, 20, and 30 feet quickly, safely and courteously, counting all strokes and penalties, and achieving a maximum score of 18. SHORT GAME: Pass a nine-hole short game test (chipping and putting) from distances of 5, 10 and 15 yards (from the rough to the green), counting all strokes and penalties, and achieving a maximum score of 27. GREENS: Pass a full-swing test, hitting six balls to a green 80-100 yards away, three of the six balls coming to rest on the green. FAIRWAYS: Pass a full-swing fairway (or range) test, hitting six balls, three of which must travel a distance of 160-190 yards, and come to rest in an actual or stipulated fairway 40 yards in width. AGE: The participant must pass the above tests and skills, and achieve the minimum age of fourteen (14), or attain High School Freshman status not later than the first day of the next ACE session in order to progress to the next (ACE) level. ROUNDS: Before certification at the Eagle level, and before registration at the ACE level, each Eagle participant must play ten (10) eighteen-hole rounds of golf on a regulation golf course from a total distance of 5,000 to 6,000 yards, counting all strokes and penalties, achieving a maximum score of 108, turning in ten  attested (witnessed) score cards. Only then may they consider enrolling at ACE level. Eagle level presents the Golf Fundamentals of Distance Response, Target Orientation, Get Ready to Swing, Body Balance, Clubface and Ball contact, Swing Rhythm and Pre- and Post-Shot Routines, and adds the last two fundamentals, Ball Flight and On-course Strategies.