First Tee – Greater Chicago

First Tee – Greater Chicago offers golf experiences for kids and teens. The program integrates the game of golf with a life skills curriculum and junior golf programs. It serves thousands of Chicago-area youth each year through golf-based personal growth programs.

First Tee – Greater Chicago is in its 25th Anniversary Year. Its mission states that it empowers young people through the game of golf, teaching life skills and core values that inspire growth on and off the course. The organization describes itself as a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. It focuses on integrating golf with a life skills curriculum to create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. The program emphasizes Building Game Changers through junior golf programs and highlights that kids build life and leadership skills that empower them in areas such as school, friendships, and eventually careers. It places a special focus on the Five Key Commitments, which include lessons such as pursuing goals, growing through challenges, and building positive self-identity. The organization states that its programs provide access to the sport while fostering confidence, resilience, and leadership in youth across Chicagoland and that golf is viewed as more than just a game, but as a platform to shape character, strengthen communities, and open doors to new opportunities. It also states that no child is turned away due to financial barriers, so all kids have the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

Last updated May 5, 2026.