Sessions were conducted 1999 to 2003

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this is an archive file of Penny Pulz  Golf,
originally published 2000

Golf Instruction -- incarcerated young women at the Black Canyon Secure Facility, Phoenix, AZ

A "Correctional" approach to golf at Black Canyon Secure Facility

hitting net at full swing

I created a peer-to-peer model in a highly constructive learning environment.  Not only are girls acquiring athleticism, exercise and hands-on golf experience, they are also learning how to work as a team, serve as mentors/coaches and provide positive affirmation to each other through support, encouragement and enthusiasm.  These girls are learning the fundamentals of golf in conjunction with socialization skills that will better serve them when they leave Black Canyon Secure Facility and reintegrate themselves into family and the public school system.

golf instruction

A correction facility for youth, Adobe Mountain Juvenile Justice Department; girls up to the age of 18.  Through an outreach program of Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, approximately 45 young women participated in a three-day per week golf clinic.  This is an on-going program.

putting

pro helping swing

Objective:  Bring the sport of golf to these girls to build:  Self-esteem, Confidence, Discipline; both mental and physical.

Within the facility along with great cooperation of their personnel, we brought in hitting nets, putting mats, practice balls, clubs, gloves, instructional junior golf books, etiquette and rules posters; we created a golf training facility on the recreational field at Black Canyon School.

These daily sessions worked in sections or "short bursts" to accommodate short term attention and were highly motivated presentations to combat many of the personalities being depressed and/or angry.

Communication/Team Building:  introduce sport, golf game skills and etiquette

Results:

• coach/player teams promoted team building and interaction of:
       1) positive instruction to on another
       2) positive feedback to each other
          (i.e., proper posture, proper swing
           path, proper aim to target, proper grip

full swing

Golf Skill Building: embrace how to work with their emotions, how to work with mistakes

Results:

• apply physical and emotional control
    1) experiencing their strength and power
        in a positive manner with favorable and
        successful results.
    2) experiencing mistakes with positive
        reinforcement of learning
        (i.e.; it's ok to miss, what do you have
        to do or learn not to miss the ball again)

learning rules & etiquette

Enjoy new golf skill:  assimilating a game of golf with rules and etiquette

Results:

• experience a game of golf; scores and awards.

end of training session,
a few participants leaving