Last year’s Girls Golf participants enjoyed a variety of golfing lessons, drills and outings, along with fun activities to build friendships.

We are excited to invite young girls, ages 6 to 17, to participate in our 2021 Program of the LPGA Girls Golf Club of Bluffton. It’s been a challenging year for everyone, but fortunately golf is a great sport that is played outside and we are able to social distance and abide by COVID-19 regulations.

The great game of golf will not grow if we don’t introduce the game to children at a young age. That is why fellow LPGA professional Krista Dunton and I began the LPGA Girls Golf Club of Bluffton 12 years ago. Our chapter is one of 500 programs across the country.

LPGA Girls Golf is a perfect way for girls to learn how to play golf, develop existing golf skills through motor skill activities, get fitted for the correct equipment, build new friendships and have fun. This means putting down the clubs and creating time for fun games and activities that catch their attention. Often we’ll cut the drills short and have an Easter egg hunt, decorate a gift for Mother’s Day, throw a pizza party, or have a water balloon toss . . . the list goes on and on.

Girls Golf also teaches respect, perseverance and honesty, values that are inherent to the game of golf. The program also allows the older girls opportunities to give back. Local high school golf team members volunteer their time and are E-leaders. This is done through the 5 E’s of Girls Golf: Empower, Enrich, Engage, Exercise and Energize.

Girls Golf philosophy is that everyone should learn the FUNdamentals of the game while engaging in activities that foster positive self-esteem.

This year’s program will have six sessions beginning Feb. 28 and run through June 6. We will be using some of the same outstanding facilities we have used in the past for our training sessions: Berkeley Hall, Eagle’s Pointe, Pinecrest, Hilton Head Lakes, and the First Tee of the Lowcountry. The sessions will meet on Sundays from 3-5 p.m.

The cost of the program is $100 and scholarships and clubs are available, if needed. Each girl will receive a shirt and gifts from the National program.

Deadline for registration is Feb. 8. For more information about this program, email us at girlsgolfbluffton@gmail.com.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com