George Graham, Ph.D. The Department of Kinesiology Pennsylvania State University

Contemporary Purpose of K-12 Physical Education Guiding youngsters in the process of becoming physically active and healthy for a lifetime

Golf as a Physical Activity in K-12 Physical Education Sport for a lifetimeSport for a lifetime Equally appealing to boys and girlsEqually appealing to boys and girls Body size is not a factorBody size is not a factor Great way to make new friendsGreat way to make new friends Emphasizes positive character valuesEmphasizes positive character values Good physical exerciseGood physical exercise –Riding a cart is superior to riding a couch –10,000 steps or more if you walk

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The Emergence of a Sedentary Society AutomobileAutomobile TelevisionTelevision ComputersComputers Convenience EngineeringConvenience Engineering Built EnvironmentBuilt Environment Human NatureHuman Nature

Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges of our time Percentage of young people who are obese *Data for are based on adolescents ages Obesity rates increased by 74% between 1991 and 2001.Obesity rates increased by 74% between 1991 and Obesity rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents over the last two decades. One in seven young people are obese and one in three are overweight.Obesity rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents over the last two decades. One in seven young people are obese and one in three are overweight. Source: National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA)

K-12 School Demographics 53 million kids attend school every day in the United States53 million kids attend school every day in the United States Approximately 200,000 K-12 physical education teachers in the United StatesApproximately 200,000 K-12 physical education teachers in the United States Virtually all youngsters have some physical education in their schoolingVirtually all youngsters have some physical education in their schooling

Is Golf in the K-12 Physical Education Curriculum Today? Who is including golf in their curriculum?Who is including golf in their curriculum? Why are they including it in their curriculum?Why are they including it in their curriculum? What might be done to increase golf in K-12 curriculums?What might be done to increase golf in K-12 curriculums?

Survey of K-12 Physical Education Teachers Survey was posted on PE Central (most popular web site for physical educators in the world)Survey was posted on PE Central (most popular web site for physical educators in the world) Survey was available from August 1 through September 5, 2003Survey was available from August 1 through September 5, 2003 Only allowed to enter onceOnly allowed to enter once Goal was to have 1,000 responsesGoal was to have 1,000 responses

Survey Description (cont.) 2,445 responses from 49 states and 8 Canadian provinces2,445 responses from 49 states and 8 Canadian provinces 79.6% full-time K-12 teachers79.6% full-time K-12 teachers –37% male –63% female

School golf programs % Traditional clubs70.0% Traditional clubs 68.5% plastic or whiffle balls68.5% plastic or whiffle balls 79.4% were self-designed lessons79.4% were self-designed lessons

One of the biggest obstacles to teaching golf is safety… Strongly Agree25.6%625 Agree35.9%878 No Opinion10.2%249 Disagree23.3%570 Strongly Disagree 2.5% % 10.2 % 61.5 % Safety Concerns

Cost of equipment is a major obstacle to teaching golf… Strongly Agree 45.3%1108 Agree36.3% 888 No Opinion 4.6% 112 Disagree 9.7% 238 Strongly Disagree 1.5% % 4.6 % 81.6 % Cost Concerns

Golf embodies positive values that benefit children… Strongly Agree 46.1%1126 Agree45.3%1107 No Opinion 5.4% 132 Disagree 0.4% 14 Strongly Disagree 0.1% % 5.4 % 91.4 % Golf and Positive Values

How interested would you be in teaching golf if…. Very Interested 76.1%1860 Interested19.9% 487 Somewhat Interested 2.6% 63 Not Interested 0.9% 21 A system was provided that was both safe and fun… 19.9 % 2.6 % 0.9 % 76.1 %

How interested would you be in teaching golf if…. Very Interested 73.6%1800 Interested21.9% 535 Somewhat Interested 3.4% 83 Not Interested 0.9% % 3.4 % 0.9 % Equipment, training and a complete curriculum were provided to the school at no cost 73.6 %

What Teachers Have to Say… “In the school district where I teach, many of our schools are in the low socioeconomic group....we cannot afford a golf program if we had to purchase it. If we did have such a program it would be such a benefit for most children because it teaches them that golf isn't only a lifetime sport but they could learn respect, socialization skills and personal challenge.” Tammy Farmer, Elementary PE, KY Tammy Farmer, Elementary PE, KY

What Teachers Have to Say… “I think that two greatest barriers are lack of funds and PE teachers’ lack of experience and/or knowledge of how golf could be taught at this level. I would love the opportunity to explore ideas that could bring this activity to my students. I believe it is lifetime activities like golf that need to be implemented at the elementary level in order to give students the opportunity to learn skills towards an active lifestyle.” Denise King, Elementary PE, WI Denise King, Elementary PE, WI

What Teachers Have to Say… “Children are willing to learn new sports and games in PE instead of the traditional yearly lesson plans. Elementary children love it more because they can go home and encourage the relatives at home ways to stay physically fit. Golf is not a game for older gentlemen but a game for every one in the family.” Christina Gaines, Elementary PE, MD Christina Gaines, Elementary PE, MD

Survey Conclusions Teachers believe in the value of golfTeachers believe in the value of golf –For the physical benefits –For the character lessons Respondents are highly receptive to including golf in their programsRespondents are highly receptive to including golf in their programs Cost and teacher training are a factor that needs to be addressedCost and teacher training are a factor that needs to be addressed

The National School Golf Program Directly addresses the needs identified by these teachers in the surveyDirectly addresses the needs identified by these teachers in the survey Through NSGP it is reasonable to expect that….Through NSGP it is reasonable to expect that…. –Hundreds, eventually thousands, of teachers will provide millions of youngsters with a positive introduction to the sport of golf