KidznGolf
STRATTON GOLF SCHOOL - STRATTON RESORT, VT

by Mitch Kaplan

I've attended snowboard school at Stratton. I careened down the slopes amidst dozens of kids. And, while I didn't turn into the next Ross Powers, I was impressed. Impressed with the way in which the kids were handled. The danged buggers were having a lot of fun.

So, now it's summer. So, now what?

Golf.

Stratton's golf school carries a wonderful reputation. I know, I know. All resort golf schools tell you they'll turn your life around in a day or two. Stratton doesn't. They just make better golfers. And, they'll do that for your kids, too. You just have to show up at the right time.

Unlike some places where kids are fitted around the adult school schedule, Stratton specializes. They organize Junior Camps on certain dates. This brings kids together to play and learn with other kids. It also allows the staff to fully focus on kids. Designed for ages 7-14, the camps are two- or three-day affairs. They run throughout the summer.

Stratton's golf course is beautiful, as you'd expect for a links laid into a magnificent mountain setting. But, it's not too ornery - the elevation changes aren't overly radical, the fairways are mostly reasonably wide, very little water comes into play (thank goodness!), and the greens are magnificently kept, albeit mighty fast.

Even better, the Golf School facility really shines. First created by Arnold Palmer in 1969, it encompasses twenty-two acres. But, size isn't really the point. Layout is. Very cleverly conceived as a kind of circular affair, the practice area allows you to work on chipping, putting, long irons and woods, short game, problem shots and everything in between while keeping everyone in a nicely contained area. You're never far from each other or from personal help.

Of course, the place is fully-outfitted: air-conditioned classrooms, spiffy locker rooms, a covered fairway bunker, 500 feet of covered hitting areas (yes, it does sometimes rain in Vermont), a specialty trouble shot improvement area and they even provide a golfer shuttle service to the training area.

Arnie really thought this place through when he set it up.

Sending your kid to Stratton's Junior Golf School gives him/her highly individualized instruction from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. both days, plus breakfast and lunch. Toss in the third day and three hours of on-course instruction is included on the final day.

It won't turn your child's life around. It'll just make him/her a better golfer who, as a result, will have more fun on the links. The downside? H/she will soon be better than you are. But, isn't that we raise them for?

For more information: www.stratton.com, 800-STRATTON, or 802-297-4000.

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