Youth On Course Goes Global, Bringing Subsidized $5 Junior Golf Model to Australia

Youth on Course has expanded into Australia through a partnership with Golf Australia, the first global step in its mission to provide greater youth access to golf by reducing costs.

The R&A is providing financial assistance to help launch the effort, which includes Golf Australia’s introduction of an affordable virtual golf membership called TeeMates for children under the age of 18. Through this program and its affiliation with Youth on Course, members can play golf for $5 at a selection of golf courses across the country and receive an official GA handicap.

In North America, Youth on Course has helped kids play more than two million subsidized rounds of golf since its inception in 2006, growing its roster to 140,000 members and almost 2,000 partner courses. Having expanded its program to all 50 U.S. states and Canada, YOC is now looking to scale its model internationally, starting in the land Down Under.

“We’ve changed the economics of golf for families in the U.S. and Canada and there’s no reason we can’t do it in Australia,” said CEO Adam Heieck. “Youth on Course can be a global model for making golf a more welcoming, inclusive and affordable sport. We’re thrilled to partner with Golf Australia.”

A TeeMates membership with a Golf Australia handicap will cost $109 annually, allowing juniors to play at courses for a reduced rate and participating in events with friends. Initially, there will be 30 Youth on Course facilities spread across Australia in each state and territory, with an extensive schedule of events that TeeMates members can access.

One aim of the TeeMates program is to not only help kids establish an official handicap, but to help build a connection with local golf clubs. Prior to the development of TeeMates, Golf Australia commissioned a study by the National Golf Foundation that found while over 650,000 kids participated in some form of golf in 2021-22, less than 4% of the 420,000+ golfers in Australia’s club membership were juniors.

“Our goal is to create hundreds of thousands of life-long golfers – but in order to achieve this, we’ve identified the need to deliver a tailored product that allows kids to access the benefits of golf flexibly and at an affordable price point,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said. “Through our partnership with Youth on Course, we’re going to challenge the perception of golf’s affordability and provide as many kids as we can with the opportunity to participate in our great game.”

The second phase of the TeeMates offering will extend beyond the golf course, with discounted access at mini golf facilities, driving ranges and golf simulators throughout Australia.

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