BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Kids can perfect their putting at a month-long series of free golf lessons in Brooklyn’s parks.
The City Parks Foundation is offering sessions at Herbert Von King Park and Marine Park through Aug. 28 in partnership with Fondation Lacoste.
The next Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie will be able to learn the basics of the sport through putting, pitching and driving tutorials.
“Golf is a gentleman’s sport,” said Bill Niklaus, City Parks Foundation’s director of golf.
“There are no referees, so kids learn how to settle disputes themselves. It builds character. It takes honesty, integrity, and a lot of friendly personality, all the life skills they can get from the game.”
Children ages 6 through 8 can participate in the morning “Peewee” sessions from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., while those ages 9 through 17 can join beginner courses from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays at Von King and Tuesdays and Thursdays at Marine Park.
The lessons provide an introduction and give kids the chance to try out for the City Parks Intermediate Program and Junior Golf Academy — both free, specialized programs for young golfers.
At the end of the summer series, instructors take students to a local golf course where they can show off their newly learned skills on “the real deal,” Niklaus added.
City Parks’ Summer Sports Program includes free tennis, soccer and track and field instruction at 80 sites throughout the five boroughs.
For more information on registration and locations, visit the City Parks Foundation website here.
