The Welcome Mat To Golf for Beginners: Operation 36! with Founder Ryan Dailey

#976 Summary Our guest is Ryan Dailey, PGA, who discusses the innovative junior golf program, Operation 36, which he co-founded to engage beginning golfers, no matter their age. The conversation covers the program's evolution, its adaptation during the pandemic, and its collaboration with other golf initiatives. Ryan also discusses branding challenges, the importance of community involvement, and strategies for making golf accessible to beginners. The program emphasizes a collaborative approach to learning, where participants work together to improve their skills and enjoy the game without the pressure of competition. Dailey also highlights the role of the PGA and the growing interest in golf among different demographics, including adults and seniors. Book: How To Create a Junior GolferTakeaways Operation 36 started with a goal to engage kids in golf. The program evolved from traditional summer camps to a year-round curriculum. Adapting the teaching approach was crucial for engaging young golfers. Rory McElroy's endorsement highlights the program's appeal to families. The name Operation 36 Golf was narrowed down through trial and error. It's not about competition; it's about enjoying the game together. The program has expanded to include adults who want to learn golf. Participants progress through levels by beating a score of 36. We have 10 total levels in the program, similar to karate belts. The PGA of America has been very supportive of our initiative. Parents should get involved to help their kids enjoy golf. Let's play golf together next Spring! Our next Golf Smarter Adventure will be on the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Birmingham, AL on March 26-30, 2025.  Space is limited. Learn more and reserve your spot now at tmigolf.com/golfsmarter   Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).    Receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Listen for details. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Please visit indeed.com/GOLFSMARTER and get a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT. Terms and conditions apply.   This episode is brought to you by  the all new T-Rex3 created by Amazfit which is available at us.amazfit.com/golfsmarter as well as major retailers Best Buy, Target, Walmartand Amazon, but when you purchase at us.amazfit.com/golfsmarter, you’ll get 15% off with the promo code GolfSmarter. For exclusive content and first access check out Corrected Mistakes on Substack: https://substack.com/@correctedmistake  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices