It is an emotional story reminding everyone that life is much bigger than golf…

Sports Illustrated

In his role, Heath will be leading the new Junior Tournament Series and Junior Golf Academy Level II program. In addition, he will be assisting Director of Instruction Cody Barden with all Level I and Level III Junior Golf Academy programs (after-school clinics, summer camps, Elite program) and conducting an extensive private lesson schedule.

Heath has been a PGA Class A professional since 2001 and played his collegiate golf at Jacksonville State University (AL). Most of our members know Heath from his past two years assisting Mitch Cook manage the daily golf operation at White Columns CC. Previously Heath served as the Head Golf Professional at Chestatee Golf Club and The Golf Club of Georgia.

Heath has a special way with golfers of all abilities and is truly an expert at growing the game through instruction and competition. We welcome him to his new role at the Learning Center and appreciate the warm support he always receives from the club membership.

The program is designed to introduce a young player to the great game of golf while building basic golf and fitness fundamentals. Level I has multiple sessions throughout the year depending on interest and availability. We offer weekly group lesson programs after school during the spring and fall and on weekdays (Tues-Thurs) during the summer. On course instruction is featured in every program so juniors have the opportunity to experience the course in a comfortable setting. Our new Junior Fundamental Sports class runs during the same weeks as our clinics. This class helps to develop coordination, speed, and agility which will benefit juniors in any sport. Group size is limited in all classes to ensure effective student/teacher ratio. For our youngest juniors (ages 5 & 6) we offer the popular SNAG golf introductory program which incorporates over sized clubs and balls. Juniors may wear shorts or workout clothes for fitness class, but are expected to have collared shirts for all golf clinics. Appropriate footwear required for all classes (tennis/golf shoes, no flip-flops). All classes cover:

Basic skill development

• Full swing concepts of grip, stance, posture, alignment and ball position
• Short game skills including putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker play

Character development with lessons on integrity, honesty, and sportsmanship

• Golf course etiquette and rules of the game
• Fundamentals of agility, kicking, striking, balance, throwing, rotation, core strength, visualization/awareness
• Utilizing fun obstacles, games and skill contests to encourage agility and quickness

Spring/Fall After School Clinics

• Ages 5-6 Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 (SNAG Golf)
• Ages 7-9 Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 (split into smaller groups by experience/ability)
• Ages 10-13 Thursdays 4:30-5:30 (split into smaller groups by experience/ability)
• 8 week sessions beginning March 28 & 29
• $190/junior, $250/guest (if space available)
• $160/junior, $200/guest SNAG Golf

Spring/Fall After School Fundamental Sports Clinics

• Ages 5-6 Tuesdays 3:30-4:30
• Ages 7-13 Tuesdays 4:45-5:45 (split into smaller groups by development)
• 8 week sessions beginning March 27
• $100/member, $140/guest

Summer Golf Clinics

• Conducted in June and July for Ages 7-13
• Clinics run 8:30-12:00 Tuesday-Thursday
• On course instruction w/ 9 holes daily, students must have own clubs
• Video analysis for each student on full swing and short game
• Class size limited to 12 students per week (split into smaller groups)
• Choose from weeks of June 12-14, 19-21, 26-28 and July 31-Aug 2
• $275/member, $350/guest (if space available)
• Snacks and drinks provided daily

INTERMEDIATE GOLFER PROGRAM

This program is designed for the junior golfer who might enjoy tournament play and is interested in developing expanded golf and fitness skills. This coaching program focuses on gaining the competitive experience and athletic skills needed to succeed in junior tournaments. The Level II experience is designed to support the junior players February-November allowing for a break during the holidays/winter weather of December and January. Interested juniors must have previous experience in our Level I programs and/or have the approval of our professional staff in order to participate. This program is limited in size to ensure small student teacher ratio and quality experience for each player. Each student will learn:

Developing a practice plan

• Effective time management and focused practiced
• Effective instruction—putting into practice what is taught in a lesson
• Skills testing and monthly progress reports
• Tournament stat tracking

Introduction to golf specific fitness

• Individual assessment and monthly fitness homework
• Exercises and skills test to improve balance, core strength, flexibility, and agility
• Fundamental movement skills, sport specific skills

Tournament preparation

• Building a tournament schedule
• Developing mental strength and focusing ability
• Course management strategies
• Green reading skills
• Common rules scenarios

Tournament play

• Practice rounds
• Warm up
• Nutrition & hydration
• Preparing a yardage book
• Course management strategies
• Tournament etiquette

Each participant receives:

• 1 hour private lesson per month
• 4 hours supervised practice session per month (1 hr group session per week)
• 1 9-hole playing lesson per month with warmup (3:1 student teacher ratio 3 hrs)
• 1 hour group TPI fitness per month
• 2 supervised tournament rounds per year
• 2 club fitting sessions per year (putter, irons, woods)–critical during growth
• Bi-monthly professional review w/student; 1annual parent review
• $275/month or $2500/10-month season (discount for 10 month commitment)

ELITE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM

This is the program for families looking to fully develop the junior’s skill set with the goal of playing at the collegiate level or earning a golf scholarship. Ideal for juniors who currently play regional and national tournaments and are seeking to improve their junior ranking in order to play at the collegiate level. This comprehensive program provides the player with the fundamental skills and coaching to succeed inside the ropes. The elite program, includes:

Complete assessment of golf skills:

• Individual video analysis using V1 technology
• TPI Dynamic Balance Assessment
• Motion Analysis via SAM Putt Lab and Flight Scope Launch Monitor
• 2 hours private instruction per month
• Monthly 9-hole playing lesson
• 2 club fitting sessions annually

TPI Golf Fitness Assessment

• Monthly group fitness session
• 2 Individual TPI Assessments annually
• Customized golf specific exercise program
• Monthly fitness homework to measure fitness improvements
• Increase speed, power, agility and consistency (LTAD program)

Developing a practice schedule:

• Balance academic, social, and personal responsibilities
• Maximize practice time and manage time schedule effectively
• Nutritional guidance

Regular mentoring and coaching

• Bi-monthly student review; Annual goals & objectives review w/parents
• Player resume preparation
• Guidance through the recruiting and application process
• Introduction to sports psychology and mental strength training
• 3 supervised tournament rounds per year

Access to elite player programs

• Practice with the Tour Players
• College coaching seminars
• Lunch with Tour Players, college players, Q & A session
• Sports psychology seminars
• Tour experience day (attend Tour event with professional staff)
• Member pricing $675/month or $6500/10-month season
• Full golf program w/ modified fitness $500/month or $4750/10-month

While able to be enjoyed by all ages, we are introducing our youngest golfers to the game by using the over-sized balls and clubs.

Ages 5 & 6 are invited to participate in our 8 week Spring and Fall After-School clinics on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm.

SNAG Golf Action Reel from SNAG Golf on Vimeo.

The White Columns Junior Tournament Series introduces fun competition into our Junior Golf Academy twice per month.

The 8-tournament series runs May-August and concludes on Saturday, August 25th, with our Junior Club Championship.

Each month will feature a Parent/Junior event (bold) and one event for juniors only. Juniors may invite one guest to participate in the junior-only events. Tournament dates are:

• May 5, 19
• June 16, 30
• July 14, 28
• Aug 11, 25

Bold dates are Parent/Junior events, others Junior-only. Registration in golf shop. Juniors may participate in as many events as they would like.

We provide:

• Affordable, competitive opportunities (3,6,9 hole events) for ages 5-17
• Medals awarded, scoring conducted, and snacks/drinks provided
• $20 tournament fee per player, no additional registration/membership fee
• Monthly Parent-Junior fun formats will vary (scramble, best ball, etc.)
• Monthly Juniors-only format will be individual medal play. Each junior may invite one guest to participate at $25/guest rate.
• Comfortable environment to learn about sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, and competition.

In addition to the great golf, drinks, and food, each of the military personnel received a custom fitted Titleist driver during their visit to our learning center. It was the first time for many of these golfers to experience a formal lesson and club fitting session incorporating video analysis and launch monitor technology. Our professional staff had a terrific time getting to spend time working with each of them on their game!

Featuring state of the art clubfitting technology, including the SAM Putt Lab and Flightscope launch monitor, our new facility is well equipped to fit players for every club in their bag. Come in to learn more about the scoring benefits that can be achieved when equipment specifications are dialed in just right.

Fitness and flexibility has become an important aspect of every golfer’s preparation. Our professional staff is certified by the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) to provide fitness assessments for golfers and customized programs for greater flexibility and improved overall fitness. There is a direct relationship between a player’s physical capabilities and the level of their play.

If you’re interested in improving your swing and learning what you might need to hit shots higher, straighter, or longer make an appointment to visit our instructional studio. Inside the teaching bay you will find high speed cameras, studio lighting, and 2d video analysis tools to help you learn more about your game. Additionally, we now have indoor/outdoor capability with the new climate controlled facility and our lesson schedule is no longer subject to weather conditions. After your first visit you’ll know why so many of the best amateur players and a growing stable of Tour players prefer to work on their game at our club.