Let’s be real, youth sports have gotten a little out of control.
You’ve seen it. Kids in kindergarten already being pushed to “train harder.” Coaches yelling from the sidelines like it’s the Olympics. Parents stressed about playing time, costs, schedules—and most of all, whether their kid is “good enough.”
But here’s the thing: sports should not feel like a job when you’re five.
At TGA of Central Hennepin County & Eastern Twin Cities, we’ve seen how this pressure steals the joy right out of the game. It turns curious, playful kids into anxious perfectionists. It pushes out the ones who aren’t naturally competitive. And it leaves parents wondering if signing up was even worth it.
We decided to flip the script.
From Pressure to Play: How We Do It Differently
Our mission is to help kids fall in love with sports—not just for a season, but for life. That starts by making it fun, safe, and welcoming for every child, no matter their skill level or personality.
That’s why we don’t focus on winning.
We focus on:
- Confidence-building
- Skill development through play
- Positive coaching
- Encouragement over evaluation
We’re not trying to create the next Serena or Tiger. We’re trying to help kids feel proud of themselves, learn to move their bodies, and get excited to come back next week.
Real Example: Our “Little Golfers” Program
This past season, we launched a brand new offering called Little Golfers—a program just for kids ages 4–6. And I’ll be honest, we weren’t sure how it would go.
Turns out? It’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.
Picture a group of little kids learning how to grip a golf club for the first time. They’re giggling. They’re cheering for each other. They’re rolling balls toward a target with more focus than some adults I’ve seen on the course. One kid recently looked up after a solid chip shot and said, “I’m a real golfer now!”
That’s what we’re chasing.
With our youngest athletes, we’re teaching the basics—but also patience, coordination, how to listen to instructions, and how to try again after a miss. And guess what? No one’s crying about who “won.” They’re just having a blast.
You Deserve Better
If you’re a parent who’s tired of stressful, over-the-top youth sports programs, you’re not alone. We hear it all the time:
- “I just want my kid to have fun.”
- “I don’t care if they’re the best—I just want them to be active and feel good.”
- “They tried other programs and didn’t want to go back.”
We built TGA for you.
Our tennis, golf, and pickleball programs are designed to spark joy, build confidence, and help kids develop at their own pace. Whether your child is competitive or just curious, they’ll feel welcome here.
Ready to bring the fun back to sports?
Register your child today at playtga.com/chc.
Let’s make this season the one where they fall in love with the game.
We’ll handle the rest.
