A Special Place for Young Golfers

No matter what your age, Cantigny is a great place to learn the game of golf. We offer some of the finest instructors in Chicagoland as well as access to the remarkable Cantigny Golf Academy, a comprehensive teaching and training center.

Junior golfers are especially well served. The Cantigny Golf Junior Development Program aims to provide every parent and child with the very best learning opportunity for golf. Professional clinics and instruction are offered for girls and boys ages 5-18. The clinics cover all the basics of the game as well as more advanced concepts like course management, golf-specific fitness and even mental skills coaching.

The centerpiece of Cantigny’s junior program is the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. Opened in 1999, the innovative course combines instruction and play for kids up to 15 years old. It’s a unique facility that allows kids to apply what they’ve learned in a safe environment tailored to their needs. There’s even a customized clubhouse and pro shop for its young clientele.

The Youth Links enables juniors to apply what they have learned in a safe environment tailored to their needs. It’s a special place that makes golf more fun and less intimidating for young players entering the game. Proper golf etiquette is emphasized too, along with good sportsmanship. Cantigny, part of the nonprofit McCormick Foundation, believes that junior golf offers valuable lessons for life off the golf course.

Unsupervised play on the Youth Links for juniors 8 to 15 requires certification. This is achieved through the successful completion of Cantigny’s Level 1 Certification Clinic. Juniors not certified may play the course if accompanied by an adult.

The Youth Links offer weekly golfing clubs—Boy’s Club and Girl’s Club—designed for certified juniors. The clubs give juniors an opportunity to meet other young players and introduce beginning golfers to fun competitions. Certified juniors may also participate in individual, team and parent/child tournaments throughout the golf season.