Recreational golf isn’t just for old guys with funny pants. Programs at the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) make it possible for kids as young as 5 to get on the course.

The JGAA governs and promotes junior golf in the state, introduces the sport to non-golfing juniors and manages junior golf tournaments.

JGAA executive director Tom Cunningham said the organization offers members great golf facilities and more than 50 well-organized events throughout the year.

Kids who have already been to the range and know the basics of golf, or who have completed the JGAA’s “Linkster Program,” are eligible for membership in either the Boys Golf Club (BGC) or the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix.

Members of the BGC must be between the ages of 5 and 14. Five skill levels are offered, from Gecko, for boys who can play three holes from a maximum distance of 150 yards from the green, to Coyote, for boys with a consistent nine-hole score of 45 or better. Coyote-level golfers are eligible to play in JGAA tournaments.

Girls ages 5 to 18 can join one of seven divisions, beginning with the Caddy Division, for girls who can play two holes from 125 yards from the green, up to the Solid Championship Division, for golfers who can play 18 holes with an average of 95 or better.

Cunningham encourages kids without experience to attend introductory clinics.

“We have a list of approved instructors on our website that we know work well with kids and have good junior programs of their own,” said JGAA developmental director Melanie Boyles.

Regardless of skill level, Cunningham said, the purpose of the both programs is to have fun, to get kids “outside on the green grass doing something other than video games or watching TV.”

For registration or further information, call the JGAA office at 602-944-6168.