First Tee – Silicon Valley

First Tee – Silicon Valley offers golf sessions that combine playing golf and golf games with a structured life skills curriculum. Volunteer coaches assist in delivering the life and golf skill curriculum through golf games and complete Safesport Training and Mandated Reporter Training as part of their role.

• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: Sessions for grades 2 to 12 meet once per week for 1.5 hours over an 8-class session or season (8–10 weeks), with seasons in spring (March–May), summer (June–August), fall (September–November), and winter (December–February)

First Tee – Silicon Valley states that its mission is to develop youth through golf by integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum and by making programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship. The program describes its approach as creating active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that participants can carry into other parts of their lives.

Volunteer information from the program explains that volunteers assist in delivering the life and golf skill curriculum through golf games, provide tools to build character, and provide a safe, positive, and engaging experience for participants. Volunteers commit 2.5 hours a day, once a week, for an 8-lesson season, choose from several session options by season, location, day of week, and time, help at least 2 of 4 seasons and at least 6 of 8 sessions each season, and attend a 2.5-hour golf and life skill mentor training prior to each season. Junior volunteers must be or have been First Tee – Silicon Valley participants, must be at least 14 years old and in 9th grade or higher, and may only teach Grades 2–4 and Grades 5–6 sessions.

Testimonials from coaches and volunteers describe their experiences with the program. Tracy notes that while it is good to see participants’ golf skills improve, it is even more rewarding to see them learn and apply life skills in daily life. Mark explains that he started coaching to teach golf but now finds it more meaningful to see participants learn life skills, and that witnessing this life skill growth is what moves him most. Tarika shares that coaching allows her to meet and interact with many new people. Catherine says that volunteering has helped her hone skills in leadership, patience, and collaboration and makes her feel like she is making a positive impact in her community. Amanda describes volunteering with First Tee as amazing, says she is glad to have had the experience, and compares the program to a huge family where she developed relationships with coaches, volunteers, and participants.

Last updated March 20, 2026.