While you may not find country clubs to lure your city kids into playing tennis and golf, New York does offer sprawling greens and top tennis facilities that let them tee-off or racket around. Here are a few courts and courses to inspire and perfect their game.
GOLF
Brooklyn Junior Golf
Choose from a variety of programs to learn the game: The First Tee, which spans five teaching levels; The Brooklyn Junior Golf Academy, which offers small classes in a golf course environment plus driving range practice; and a Brooklyn Junior Golf Tournament for those looking to compete. Brooklyn Golf Center, 3200 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn.
Chelsea Piers Golf Club
Located in a 2,000-square-foot indoor training center, The Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers allows kids to perfect their game with after school lessons from golf pros. The facility also offers the only multi-tiered, year-round outdoor driving range in Manhattan. A year-round curriculum for elite junior players is offered for those hoping to make the JV or varsity high school golf team. Summer camp and family clinic also available. 59 Chelsea Piers.
CityParks Golf
Aspiring golfers aged 6-17 can take advantage of free golf lessons held in public parks and courses throughout the five boroughs from July 5–July 29 and August 1–26. Kids can also try out for the CityPark Intermediate Program and Junior Golf Academy. Visit the website for the complete schedule. Multiple locations.
CityParks Junior Golf Center
Located on 11.8 acres, this facility offers free golf lessons to NYC athletes ages 5 to 17. Enjoy a 6-hole golf course, nine-station driving range practice and a clubhouse with classroom space. 8850 14th Avenue, Brooklyn (adjacent to the Dyker Beach Golf Course).
Golf Manhattan
Private lessons by a PGA Golf Professional are offered by the hour for kids ages 7 and up. After school programs will be offered as well at this luxurious golf lounge, which also features PGA TOUR Simulators. 122 East 25th Street.
Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy (KTUGA)
Founded by Kate Tempesta, recently named one of the Top Young Instructors by Golf Digest, KTUGA helps kids ages 4 and up learn proper technique, etiquette and skill in both indoor and outdoor settings. The curriculum combines a mixture of putting, driving, pitching and chipping to help children learn four basic shots using age-appropriate methods. Multiple Manhattan locations.
Randall’s Island Golf Center
Individual and group lessons are offered by PGA golf professionals. Features over 80 heated and covered tees, a grass tee area, putting green and 36-hole miniature golf course. A Junior Golf Clinic is also offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and kids can sign up for The Kelley Brooke Golf Camp to learn basic golf skills via miniature golf. 1 Randall’s Island.
TENNIS
BumbleBee Tennis
A Tiny Toddler program is available for ages 2-4, while ages 4-7 can sign up for “Tiny Tennis,” and ages 8-11 will learn more advanced skills in “Mini Aces.” A summer camp will also be available. Multiple Manhattan locations.
Central Park Tennis Center
Private and group lessons are available, as well as after school programs for 4-to 7-year-olds and 8-to 15-year-olds. Kids can also sign up for a Tiny Tots summer camp (ages 4-7) or a Junior Camp (ages 6-16). The facility features 26 newly-reconditioned Har-tru courts and four hard courts, generally available for the season April through November. 96 Central Park West.
Champion Tennis
Junior tennis instruction is available for all ages and levels. Ages 3-5 can sign up for “PeeWee Tennis,” while “Little Champs” is for ages 6-7, and Rising Stars introduces more advanced techniques for ages 8-16. A summer camp for ages 5-10 is also available. 1918 First Avenue.
CityParks Tennis, presented by Chase
This summer, from July 5-August 16, City Parks Foundation will offer free tennis lessons to more than 7,000 children (ages 5-16) citywide. Free use of equipment is available at more than 36 parks throughout the city. A beginner’s tournament concludes the Central Park Tennis Center program, and for intermediates, the Chase Aces Tournament is held at the Flushing Meadows Tennis Center in mid-August. Visit the website for the complete schedule. Multiple locations.
Jeff Nerenberg Tennis Academy
Renowned coach Jeff Nerenberg spearheads this uniquely designed co-ed, year-round private tennis academy, offering lessons for beginners to tournament-level players aged 7-18, as well as adults. Family Tennis Clinics are also available. Manhattan, Riverdale and Westchester locations.
New York Junior League Tennis: They offer a variety of community- and schoolyard-based free programs through out the warm weather months around the city, which typically involve local sign-ups. Follow instructions at website.
Riverside Clay Tennis Association
Beginner lessons are offered for member children and grandchildren, ages 3-9. Children ages 10-18 who are serious about tennis can try out for the Junior Ace Program, available after school in the spring and fall. West 96th Street in Riverside Park.
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club
Kids of all ages can sign up for All-City Junior Tennis, which offers a well-supervised tennis development program year-round in both indoor and outdoor facilities. A Tournament Training program is also offered for competitive students. 281 Main Street, Roosevelt Island.
Sportime at Randall’s Island
Facility includes 144 courts. Sportime’s Junior Tennis program and John McEnroe Tennis Academy for Elite Players are designed to excite kids about the world of tennis and nurture young players into world-class athletes. Summer camp sessions will also be offered. One Randall’s Island.
Sutton East Tennis
“Pee Wee” Tennis introduces the sport to ages 3-6 in a small group setting, while ages 8-18 can sign up for a Pre-Junior Development program, where the size of the net and racquets are modified for young players. A Junior Development Program for ages 8-18 lets kids learn more advanced skills, and those with two years of experience can sign up for Junior Matchplay to compete in practice matches. 488 East 60th Street.
Yorkville Youth Athletic Association
Beginner and advanced group lessons are offered by Sutton East Tennis for a bargain, generally for kids in second to fifth grade. York Avenue and 89th Street.
Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers.
