It has been said that the game of golf is a microcosm of life itself. The sport, more than any other, truly reflects the well known adage, "It's not whether you win or lose. Its how you play the game.
Golf's dependence on the integrity of the individual is responsible for solidifying the character of the millions who have played it. Unfortunately, this character- building sport has rarely, if ever, been effectively offered as a curriculum option in the world's school programs. Until now.
Developed by former PGA Tour players Terry Anton and Wally Armstrong, SNAG® provides an excellent entree for kids into the game of golf, beginning at the earliest stages of the educational system. The SNAG® curriculum, incorporates the teaching of all-important academic parallels and life skills that will not only make better students, but better human beings and more solid citizens.
SNAG™ contains all the basic elements of golf, but in a modified form. Falling somewhere between miniature golf and regulation golf, SNAG allows for full shots, pitching, chipping and putting. Its design makes it both safe and portable, allowing instruction, practice and play to take place both inside and outside.
Utilizing its own simplified rules and terminology, called "SNAGology," SNAG adds fun to the learning and playing experience. The SNAG ball, slightly smaller than a tennis ball and covered with a loop material, has a limited distance with the average player hitting it a maximum of 50 yards. The target, called the
Flagsticky™, is an above-ground weighted cylinder covered with a hook material. Unlike golf where you finish out by putting the ball into the hole, in SNAG, you SNAGout by sticking your ball to the Flagsticky.
SNAG has only two clubs: the "
Launcher™" is used to launch (full shot), pitch and chip the ball. Like a putter, the "
Roller" is used to roll the ball on the "Short Stuff." All shots other than rolling (putting) are played off a small rubber mat and tee called the "
Launch Pad." This ensures that the player will love an optimal lie every time. Each Launch Pad comes with three durable rubber tees.
Perhaps the greatest feature of SNAG is that it makes learning as much fun as playing. The
Snapper' and the
SNAGazoo™ are interactive, noise-making training tools that are a blast to use and fun to practice with, whether you are alone or in a group. The
Rollerama and
Bullseye Target are both designed to help develop accurate shot-making skills. For additional classroom fun, SNAG offers the Sticky Jacket and Sticky Helmet, covered with the same hook material as the Flagsticky. SNAGsters have fun wearing the completely safe, protective gear and trying to catch SNAG balls on the fly.
The Curriculum
All three of these areas are important for successful development of the whole child in physical education. What further makes the SNAG® curriculum unique is the Life Skills section that addresses the emotional health issues of the students in each lesson, kindergarten through fifth grades. Setting boundaries, making decisions, resolving conflicts and managing stress are just a few of the affective objectives detailed for each "Life" lesson. Basic concepts such as personal behavior, decision-making, appreciation and consideration are focused on in the K-2 years, while more advanced concepts are explored in the grade 3-5 years.
