First Tee Badging

Awarding and tracking progress with badging provides a framework for kids and teens to set goals and share their success. Integrated into Ages 7-13 First Tee Program classes are opportunities for participants to be recognized for their achievements on and off the course through First Tee’s 3 types of badges:

    • Skill Badges are awarded by Coaches with stickers on a participant bag tag and earned by demonstrating life skills, golf skills, and key commitment behaviors in First Tee Program classes

    • Attendance Badges are tracked digitally by Coaches and earned for attending in-person First Tee Program classes

    • Digital Badges are earned by completing supplemental activities on the First Tee App

These three badges are all coming together to gamify First Tee Programs. By logging into the First Tee App, participants can see all their accomplishments with First Tee in one place!

Have questions about badging? Please reach out to Madison Allen, Program Manager, at [email protected]

Badging System FAQ

What incentives will there be to earn badges?

Participants will have opportunities to earn badges for completing activities, demonstrating and exhibiting observable behaviors associated with key commitments, life skills, and various golf accomplishments. Badges will largely be self-motivating for participants. Like video games or other technology kids engage with, there is an intrinsic desire to earn that next award and collect the different badges. Moving from one age group to the next will not be tied to badging.

How do participants earn digital badges?

Digital badges are auto awarded after successful completion of online lessons and knowledge challenges via the First Tee App. You can access the app from your Apple or Android device or tablet, or from an internet browser. The games and activities are also available to download for offline use.

How will coaches and staff track Bag Tag + Sticker Badges from demonstrated behaviors in class?

The goal for 2025 is to encourage adoption of this new gamification element and for coaches to recognize participant skills and behaviors using the Bag Tag & Sticker Badges. During a 7-week program or summer camp, there will be a select few days where participants will be assessed and given the opportunity to earn their stickers. These days will be communicated with participants and their families to ensure adequate time to prepare.

What about participants who do not have access to technology at home?

The First Tee App has supplemental and optional content. It is meant to enhance concepts and bring them to life in new ways. For those without access to technology, First Tee – Greater Richmond can print supplemental activities for each lesson for those participants. Additional, sticker badges are awarded for achievements during in-person activities, regardless of a participant’s completion of First Tee App content.

Do badges impact First Tee National Opportunity eligibility?

No, a specific badge or set of badges will not determine eligibility for national participant events.

How do badges factor into tracking progression?

Gamification elements (attendance, digital, and skill badges) will determine participant progression within the program overtime. The ultimate goal of badging, however, is to increase retention in First Tee Programs. Retention will be the primary metric First Tee utilizes to understand the impact of Badging.

What if a participant misplaces or loses a bag tag?

Each participant is responsible and accountable for their issued bag tag. Bag tags will only be given to participants enrolled in Ages 7-13 First Tee Programs. First Tee – Greater Richmond can replace lost bag tags, but the ask must come from the participant to their First Tee coach.

Learn More About the First Tee App

Participants enrolled in our on-course programs can keep playing and learning with us through the First Tee App! After registering for a session, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access the App, along with details about your unique participant account. 

The First Tee App includes games and challenges that will reinforce the concepts experienced during class and bring them to life in new ways! Kids and teens will earn badges and points as they complete activities within the App, motivating them to keep going, and tracking their progress over time. 

You can access the First Tee App from your Apple or Android device and tablet, as well as through an internet browser using WiFi or cellular data. The games and activities are also available to download for offline use. 

Download the First Tee App:  
iOS (Apple)
Android
Bookmark this page to play online 

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to Madison Allen at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up my First Tee App account?

After enrolling in an on-course session, you will receive an email welcoming you to the App with your participant’s unique username. When logging in for the first time, please click “Lost Password” and enter the username to get the reset email. Follow the prompts in the reset email to finish your set up and to log in.

How will my kid or teen have access to new content?

Participants will automatically be enrolled into the next age group’s content after their birthday if they remain active in the First Tee Program and will continue to have access to all prior content.

Can I, as a parent/guardian, log in and see my participant’s progress?

Parents/Guardians can log in and see their participant’s progress using the participant login and password information emailed to the email used during registration.