How Washington Golf is Encouraging Kids to Get on the Course

With the new school year approaching, parents looking for extracurricular activities for their kids may want to consider an option that gets them outside and onto the green.

The Washington Golf Foundation’s Youth on Course program gives young golfers an affordable way to play regularly, with access to $5 rounds at participating courses across Washington and Northern Idaho. For $25 annually, Youth on Course is available to golfers ages 6-18, and includes more than 90 participating courses in the Pacific Northwest and thousands more nationwide.

Eastside families have several nearby options, including Crossroads Par-3 in Bellevue, Tolt Golf Club in Carnation, and Twin Rivers Golf Course in Fall City. Youth on Course availability varies by location; individual facility websites can be checked in advance for eligible tee times and restrictions.

For kids considering golf as more than a hobby, Washington Golf also provides pathways into competitive golf through programs like the Washington Junior Golf Association, USNDP Team Washington, and First Tee. To support those interested, the Washington Golf Foundation offers scholarships and grants designed to help young players with expenses such as equipment, instruction, tournament fees, and transportation.

“The future of golf depends on access,” Matt Brown, director of the Washington Golf Foundation, said in a press release. “Every young person deserves the opportunity to discover what this game can offer — not just as golfers, but as people.”