Coach Pathway | First Tee University (eLearning) | Coach Portal
Trained Coaches make the First Tee experience unique. Plan now to take advantage of the training opportunities, and register your coaches. First Tee defines a “Trained Coach” as a coach who has been background checked, Safe Sport trained plus completed Assistant Coach Training or above.
Coach Onboarding
Welcome to First Tee! Your onboarding includes being Safe Sport, background checked and trained, and then completing the Welcome to First Tee eLearning course in First Tee University and Assistant Coach Training.
Level 1
- Hosted by certified chapter trainers
- Overview of First Tee program, specific focus on ages 7-9
- Development of golf fundamentals and swing cues for golf skills categories
- Understanding of the seamless delivery of life and golf skills
- Learn how to set-up activities safely
Level 2
- Hosted by HQ and facilitated by National Trainers
- Overview of First Tee program, specific focus on ages 10-11 and ages 12-13
- Coaches learn how to develop a lesson plan and practice seamless delivery
- Coaches learn teaching techniques and how to deliver safely
- Understand how to utilize a Coach Observation Form
Level 3
- Hosted by HQ and facilitated by National Trainers
- Overview of First Tee program, specific focus on ages 14+
- Focus on teen retention and effective programmatic design for teens
- Discovery and implementation of personal coaching philosophy
- Learn how to effectively coach with skill disparities and focus on optimal challenge
- Level 3 coaches can deliver Ace programming
Level 4 (Chapter Trainer)
- Hosted by HQ and facilitated by National Trainers
- Overview of Level 1 delivery and how to be a coach developer
- Focus on adult learning and how to develop coaches at the chapter level
- Coaches learn how to give effective feedback
- Level 4 coaches can lead Level 1 trainings at chapters
Level 5 (National Trainer)
- Hosted by HQ and partner organization
- National Trainers will learn how to develop coaches through delivery of activities and curriculum
- Learn how to work effectively as a training group and adjust training activities as needed
- Discovery of facilitation skills and how to bring in coaches to deepen training experience
- Overview of HQ goals and how to incorporate into trainings
- Level 5 coaches serve as National Trainers and are selected through an annual application process
First Tee University: eLearning
First Tee HQ provides online training and education opportunities for adults through our eLearning platform, First Tee University. These trainings will arm our staff, coaches, volunteers, and partners with the tools they need to deliver our First Tee programs. Chapter adults are automatically enrolled in First Tee University, and are able to self-enroll in several courses including:
- Welcome to First Tee (automatically enrolled)
- Assistant Coach Training (all coaches are automatically enrolled)
- Tackling Skill Disparities
- Tips for Class Management
- Junior Coach Training
Coach Training Schedule
All coaches will attend Level 1 Training. Level 1 Training is conducted by First Tee-South Dakota. Any coach who is not compliant and current with Safe Sport training and background check will not be permitted to take the ACT or attend Coach Training.
Pre-Requisite Courses (for in-person and virtual training)
Welcome to First Tee
- Designed as an introduction to First Tee for all
First Tee Assistant Coach Training
- Get introduced to First Tee’s Coach Philosophy and Building Blocks through interactive videos and knowledge challenges. Upon completion, you will become a First Tee Assistant Coach
Post-Training Requirements
After you have attended Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 Training, you will have 365 days to complete and submit your respective post-training requirements in order to complete your training experience. You will automatically be assigned after attending the training and will see the activities when you log in to First Tee University.
Level 1 Requirements
Level 1 attendees will self-report the completion of their Level 1 training event within First Tee’s LMS. Following the training, Coaches will log into First Tee University and find the Level 1 course within the Coaching Category. If you are not already enrolled, you can self-enroll and complete the Training Event Verification module where you will report the date, Chapter, and trainers from the training.
Host Chapters will also complete an attendance report after Level 1 trainings.
Upon submission, First Tee HQ will verify coach attendance, and data in Salesforce will automatically be updated once the approval is completed.
The Coach will be notified to log back into the platform to complete the Post-Training work:
- Level 1 Knowledge Check
- Post-Training Survey
- Post-Training Documents (Coach Observation Form)
Once all of this work is submitted and approved, the Coach will have completed Level 1 and be eligible to attend a Level 2 Training if they are continuing in the Coach Pathway. Coaches can also self-enroll in other applicable courses
Submitting Your Post-Training Documents
Please submit your post-training documents through First Tee University (our LMS).
When submitting your post-training documents, please make sure that:
- All elements of the post-training requirements must be complete
- Enter each requirement directly into First Tee University (LMS) in the appropriate section
- If an upload is required (i.e. for Coach Observation Forms and lesson plans), upload these individually in the appropriate section
Approving Post-Training Documents
Update: First Tee HQ will review post-training documents in First Tee University (LMS) for the time being (Phase 1 of the LMS launch). Feedback will be provided to Coaches and Chapters if re-submissions are needed.
We will notify LMS Admins when they are able to begin approving post-training documents in First Tee University (LMS) as part of Phase 2 of the LMS launch. Stay tuned!
FAQs
Additional questions? Reach out to [email protected].
Why is it important to train coaches?
Coaches are our main touchpoint with the kids and teens we serve. They are the builders of game changers and coach training gives them the blueprint by teaching them to create the best learning environments and build impactful and lasting mentoring relationships.
What is required of coaches?
New Coaches will enter the current pathway and progress through it as it is pictured in the document above.
Existing Coaches do not need to reenter the pathway. They retain their pre-2023 level and can proceed through the pathway from that point. As in the past, there is limited space for Recognized Coaches to serve as one-day observers at Levels 2 and 3 to demonstrate continuous learning.
What are Post Training Requirements?
- Post Training Requirements are several tasks required of coaches after they attend Coach Training.
- These tasks help chapters and coaches key in on the cycle of coach development which is a continuous loop of training, observation, and feedback.
- These tasks must be completed for coaches to advance to the next level of Coach Training.
How do I access my Post Training Requirements?
Post-Training Requirements live in our LMS Platform through First Tee University. They use the same email and login used to complete Assistant Coach Training and access the Chapter Intranet.
How long do I have to complete my Post Training Requirements?
Coaches have 365 days from their training date to complete their Post Training Requirements.
What happens if a coach does not complete Post Training Requirements?
Coaches who do not complete their post training requirements within 365 days of their training date will be marked as inactive and will not count towards a chapter’s active coach numbers.
