Starting New At Golf (SNAG)

For the past decade, SNAG (Starting New At Golf) has been building a learning system that introduces people to golf in a fun and simple way that encourages a lifetime enjoyment of the game. It welcomes and addresses beginners of all ages from juniors to seniors, and allows them to learn the fundamentals of golf without the intimidation and difficulty of a championship course.

What is SNAG?

SNAG consists of specialized equipment that can be set up anywhere—in a gym, at the park, on a soccer field—and that’s where it gets a great amount of its appeal. However, its goal is not to take golfers away from courses and out into these smaller areas, but to bring new players to the game and teach them the fundamentals so that they are prepared when they decide to play the championship-sized courses.

SNAG’s goals have become increasingly important over the past year, when the world of golf has seen a great decline in junior participation. David Shein of SNAG Golf Canada, shares his thoughts on why this is.

“If you look at the program activity guide for summer,” said Shein, “you’ll see all sorts of things for soccer, baseball, tennis, that have programs for several hours two or three days a week. For some reason, golf doesn’t have that.”

Learning the basics

Though there are some excellent youth programs, in comparison to other sports golf has a distinctly lower number compared to sports such as basketball or baseball. Shein suggests that this may be because of the expectations there are when a player, of any age, steps onto a golf course.

“With other sports, you don’t see beginners starting off with the same equipment as the pros use, but in golf you do,” Shein said. “Novice players are expected to be able to start right of the bat with the same gear as say, Tiger Woods uses. SNAG is a way to change that.”

When learning how to perform any task—be it playing piano, swimming or even learning differential equations—it’s very important to start with the basics.

“SNAG is like bunny slopes for golf,” said Shein. “In skiing, no matter what your age, everyone starts on the bunny slopes. You learn the basics of how to stop, how to go, turn, everything. SNAG does that same thing for golf.”

Dr. Robert Pangrazi

Shein said that SNAG noticed a significant rise in junior tennis while golf was continuing to lose customers.

“The thing was that tennis was being taught in quick-start programs written by experts,” he said. “So we took a look at what tennis was doing and thought, ‘why not do that for golf?’”

SNAG then made the move to hire Dr. Robert Pangrazi, the designer of the programs that had been so successful for junior tennis. Pangrazi has many claims to his name, including textbook authorship, journal and research articles, teaching lectures, honour and service awards and a variety of films and videos. He has been a significant leader in the development of physical education programs and has continued his outstanding work by designing the G-Ball program for SNAG Golf.

“With his instruction,” said Shein, “the program was developed so that it can be run by parents, community patrons, teachers, anyone. It doesn’t need to be a golf professional, and that is really what makes it accessible for all members of the community.”

The G-Ball program

What the G-Ball program consists of is a variety of teams, as in any other sport, played on a field where the equipment has been set up. This, generally, is taken care of by the parents, teachers, or community patrons leading the program. This setup allows the juniors to learn how to play golf in a smaller, less intimidating environment than if they were to kick-start their game on a championship-sized course.

Each participant of G-Ball uses what is called the Player’s Pak: a set including a flagsticky—used as the end target on a hole; a launcher club—used for chipping, pitching, and launching; a roller club—used for putting; a launch pad—a mat and tee combination to use with the launcher club; SNAG balls—oversized balls with material that attaches to the targets; a rollerama target—for use as a practice station; and a bag. The Player’s Pak is necessary for all practices and game days.

The equipment

“If you look at our equipment,” Shein said, “you’ll notice that they may look like toys, but they are most definitely not toys.”

The equipment used in the SNAG programs feels very similar to a regulation club, with a couple of adjustments to make learning the game easier—the most notable being the vibrant colours of the clubs and gear.

“The bright colouring is a method we use called chromo-psychology,” said Shein, “using primary colors to ease the anxiety of learning a new sport.”

However, there is still significant weight to the clubs, as well as a rubber grip that helps teach proper hand positioning. These elements of SNAG’s equipment are what help to ease the new player right into the game.

Jack Nicklaus Learning League

“SNAG has actually had so much success that we were approached by Jack Nicklaus, which led the creation of the Jack Nicklaus Learning League,” said Shein. “We didn’t pay him, he came to us and said, ‘Let’s do this’.”

The Jack Nicklaus Learning League uses SNAG programs and equipment and has been recently started in parks and recreation facilities to increase access to and engagement in the game of golf for youth and active adults.

The overall goal

SNAG’s primary goal really is just to bring more new players of all ages to the game of golf.

“SNAG’s program is not only for junior golfers, but a huge thing for health and wellness for seniors as well,” said Shein. “It is a perfect way for seniors, for community and for family to come and play together.”

So be sure to check out your nearest golf course, community park, or after-school program to see if SNAG is available to you. If it isn’t, try to encourage the community to get a program started, for there really has never been a better time to get out and Start New At Golf.