Junior Golf Academy of Bakersfield
RiverLakes Ranch, 5201 Riverlakes Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93312
About
Junior Golf Academy of Bakersfield offers professional golf instruction that covers fundamental golf skills, including putting skills and chipping skills. The program includes Summer Camp, Par 3 competition, course play, tournament play, play days, skill challenges, and High School Tournament Preparatory Classes. Students are rotated through different golf stations, and the program includes action packed, fun and engaging skill challenges and competitions with awards, as well as Par 3 competitions with an awards ceremony on the last day of the session.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: Tuition: $250.00
The program was developed in 2005, and the Junior Golf Academy at RiverLakes Ranch has 14 years of experience teaching fundamental golf skills to juniors. The Junior Golf Academy of Bakersfield operates as an award winning year-round program recognized in the top 50 in the world by US Kids Golf, and its curriculum was voted by US Kids Golf as the top 50 in the nation. The mission statement is “Building Character,Confidence & Integrity,One Swing At A Time. Your child will be provided with professional golf instruction in a safe and fun learning environment. We balance instruction with positive incentives in order to encourage young golfers to reach their full potential in the game of golf, and in the challenges of life.”
Program Director and Teaching Professional Michael K. Moore has been studying the game of golf for over 30 years, received his certified licensed pro card through the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF), has served as head professional at Zaca Creek Golf Course in Buellton, CA, and received his formal training as a teaching professional at Twin Oaks Golf Learning Center in Goleta, CA. He also wrote a monthly article called “Simple Golf” in the Golden Empire Golf Magazine. Coaches at the academy have over 25 years of professional experience. Mental Performance Coach and JGA Coordinator Shelly Moore has 30 years of experience in personality profiling, is certified in DISC management, life coaching and leadership coaching, and is a golf psychologist certified by the IGPA, recognized by the PGA and LPGA.
The program includes hands-on instruction with 15 students and 3 instructors, with students rotated through different golf stations. Water breaks are provided in huddles with a focus on golf rules and mental performance. The program is intertwined with skill challenges, Par 3 competitions, course play, and tournament play, as well as “play days” and “skill challenges” where the students play on the course with their parents or adult supervision. Six Levels of Achievement are offered (Blue, White, Red, Bronze, Silver, Gold), and after passing each level test, students receive a bag tag and a certificate of achievement. Character pillars are integrated into the levels, including Caring & Respect, Responsibility & Trustworthiness, and Sportsmanship & Integrity.
Clubs are provided if needed at no charge, and golf balls are included at class time. The program also includes a Riverlakes discount card and liability insurance. A Certificate of Completion allows families to register for the JGA after school Fall Program as a 2nd level student.
Testimonials from parents describe the Junior Golf Academy as starting with basic fundamentals while allowing students to advance in levels, with coaches Mike and Shelly engaging with each individual professionally and personally, and mention a family friendly atmosphere with golf lessons and life lessons over ten years of participation. Other testimonials describe the Summer Camp as run exceptionally well, with a very organized format that kept kids focused and engaged the entire day, and note noticeable improvement and knowledge of the game in one week. Additional feedback states that Coach Mike and Coach Shelly enhance young players’ golf skills and life skills, present techniques in a fun and understandable way, and place an emphasis on learning through a growth mindset, embracing a world class attitude, and carrying oneself as a champion on and off the course.
Last updated March 13, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: Tuition: $250.00
The program was developed in 2005, and the Junior Golf Academy at RiverLakes Ranch has 14 years of experience teaching fundamental golf skills to juniors. The Junior Golf Academy of Bakersfield operates as an award winning year-round program recognized in the top 50 in the world by US Kids Golf, and its curriculum was voted by US Kids Golf as the top 50 in the nation. The mission statement is “Building Character,Confidence & Integrity,One Swing At A Time. Your child will be provided with professional golf instruction in a safe and fun learning environment. We balance instruction with positive incentives in order to encourage young golfers to reach their full potential in the game of golf, and in the challenges of life.”
Program Director and Teaching Professional Michael K. Moore has been studying the game of golf for over 30 years, received his certified licensed pro card through the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF), has served as head professional at Zaca Creek Golf Course in Buellton, CA, and received his formal training as a teaching professional at Twin Oaks Golf Learning Center in Goleta, CA. He also wrote a monthly article called “Simple Golf” in the Golden Empire Golf Magazine. Coaches at the academy have over 25 years of professional experience. Mental Performance Coach and JGA Coordinator Shelly Moore has 30 years of experience in personality profiling, is certified in DISC management, life coaching and leadership coaching, and is a golf psychologist certified by the IGPA, recognized by the PGA and LPGA.
The program includes hands-on instruction with 15 students and 3 instructors, with students rotated through different golf stations. Water breaks are provided in huddles with a focus on golf rules and mental performance. The program is intertwined with skill challenges, Par 3 competitions, course play, and tournament play, as well as “play days” and “skill challenges” where the students play on the course with their parents or adult supervision. Six Levels of Achievement are offered (Blue, White, Red, Bronze, Silver, Gold), and after passing each level test, students receive a bag tag and a certificate of achievement. Character pillars are integrated into the levels, including Caring & Respect, Responsibility & Trustworthiness, and Sportsmanship & Integrity.
Clubs are provided if needed at no charge, and golf balls are included at class time. The program also includes a Riverlakes discount card and liability insurance. A Certificate of Completion allows families to register for the JGA after school Fall Program as a 2nd level student.
Testimonials from parents describe the Junior Golf Academy as starting with basic fundamentals while allowing students to advance in levels, with coaches Mike and Shelly engaging with each individual professionally and personally, and mention a family friendly atmosphere with golf lessons and life lessons over ten years of participation. Other testimonials describe the Summer Camp as run exceptionally well, with a very organized format that kept kids focused and engaged the entire day, and note noticeable improvement and knowledge of the game in one week. Additional feedback states that Coach Mike and Coach Shelly enhance young players’ golf skills and life skills, present techniques in a fun and understandable way, and place an emphasis on learning through a growth mindset, embracing a world class attitude, and carrying oneself as a champion on and off the course.
Last updated March 13, 2026.
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