PMG Junior Academy
The premier junior golf development program in Howard County.
A 10-level player pathway, PGA-led coaching, and a community built around kids developing a passion for the game.
Our mission
To create the top junior community in the DMV by providing every resource a player needs to reach their goals — whether that's playing college golf or developing a lifelong love of the game.
The Paul Maurer Golf Junior Academy uses a process-oriented approach. We develop the athlete first, reinforce the fundamentals, build the competitive golfer, and nurture a love for the game along the way. Parents have the opportunity to learn everything they need to know about developing a junior golfer.
Four values that shape every player and coach.
Built into every session, every level, every conversation.
Community
A network of players and coaches with a growth mindset who set goals and chase them.
Accountable
Players and coaches who are all in and committed to the process.
Resiliency
A "never give up" attitude and the work ethic to learn, prepare, and compete — every day.
Enthusiasm
A love for the game, built in a fun environment.
10 levels. 3 development phases. One clear plan.
Through the development phases, players progress through 10 levels and earn skill achievement pins in putting, around the green, full swing, knowledge, and scoring. Every player always has a clear plan for improvement and experiences the early success that fuels the next level.
FUN-Damentals
A large focus on movement skills, play, and developmentally appropriate activities. Built for new and inexperienced players to create the foundation of fundamentals and movement patterns that benefit them later. Players are introduced to the course in a fun environment.
Train to Play
A large focus on the golf skills needed to play your own ball on the course, plus continued development of functional movement, stability, and strength. Built for juniors ready to step onto the course with confidence.
Player Pathway 6+
For the junior who wants to keep building interest and passion — recreational or potentially competitive. Players have already proven they can shoot below 51 on 9 holes. Includes the Core Four metrics, on-course strategy, individualized swing analysis, and practice design.
For the player ready to compete.
Two specialized tracks for juniors who've already shown they can post a score — and want a structured path to the next level.
Junior Elite
Designed for the young golfer who has already demonstrated the ability to score in a tournament environment. Players learn to perform under a variety of conditions, develop their competitive spirit, and begin tracking on-course stats. This phase coincides with growth spurts, so we add focused attention on speed, stamina, mobility, and strength.
What's Covered
- Full golf, physical, and mental skill evaluation
- Introduction to the Core Four metrics
- Individualized swing analysis
- Practice design
- Tournament preparation
Competitive Player Pathway
A measured, structured, multi-week development program for junior players who are competing in tournaments and seriously developing their game. Built around mental game on the course, stat-based skill diagnosis, and real on-course application — the next step beyond lessons.
Three Pillars
- Mental game on the course — pressure, decision-making, recovery
- Diagnosing where strokes are lost — post-round reports and monthly skills testing
- Real on-course application — 9-hole sessions with a PGA coach
Where the work shows up.
Real players, real wins. The pathway works because the players prove it — every season, every tournament, every team.
PMG Academy Invitational
Our premier annual year-end event, bringing together top-performing juniors from across the Academy for a day of fun, competition, and celebration of progress. Formerly known as the PMG Academy Championship, this tournament has become one of the most anticipated traditions in our program.
New in 2025 — a 3-Hole Division for our 6–7 year olds, providing a fun, age-appropriate entry point into tournament golf.
Three divisions. Three champions.
Past Champions
Why the Academy works
It's a PGA-led coaching program with measured results in a structured pathway built around how kids actually develop.
Frequently asked questions
What age can my child enroll in the Academy? +
A child can enroll when they are 6 years old. Following the long-term athletic development model, ages 0–6 are best spent learning fundamental gross motor and movement skills including running, jumping, twisting, kicking, throwing, and catching. Receiving coaching prior to developing coordination skills does not set the child up for long-term success with the game.
How many levels are in the Player Pathway? +
There are 10 levels on the player pathway.
What level should my child be in? +
Each level is unique to a child's developmental stage. Each level includes the achievement skills needed to both play the game and compete at their desired level. It is not a race to the finish. New Player Evaluations are held prior to the start of each new semester. If a child is brand new to the game they will begin in Level 1. Tournament scores will need to be provided to join the Play to Compete or Elite Junior Level.
How does my child progress to the next level? +
To progress through each level, players earn five achievements: putting, around the green (chipping, pitching, and sand), full swing, knowledge, and scoring.
What class does my child belong in? +
Classes in the Academy are based on a player's Player Pathway level: FUN-Damentals follows levels 1–3; Train to Play follows levels 4–5; Play to Compete follows levels 6–10.
How does my child earn a scoring pin? +
For levels 1–3, scoring pins are earned during Academy training. Once a player reaches level 4, scoring pins must be earned through 9 holes of play with other Academy members from appropriate yardages, or from tournament play.
Are there make-up classes? +
Unfortunately, we cannot offer make-up classes — this allows us to maintain our coach-to-student ratio and continue progression along our curriculum.
What tee should my child be playing from in the Academy? +
Levels 4 and 5 scoring is done from our Academy tees, and Levels 6+ are played from age-appropriate tees. When a player graduates from level 5, they will have all the knowledge and skills to be a golfer for life. If they want to pursue golf and specialize, they continue on our Play to Compete program, which requires a higher level of commitment.
When should my child switch to private lessons? +
Private lessons can be a beneficial addition to a child's Academy training if the player is committed to improving. Early in their development, it is more important for the player to have fun and discover a love for the game — this can be done most effectively through group training.
If a player is struggling to advance a level because of a skill deficiency in a certain area, a private lesson could be beneficial. As a player's skill and love for the game increases, more individualized attention is needed as their commitment increases.
In our Play to Compete and Elite groups, players have monthly 1-on-1 private sessions built into their training time to assess progress and develop a practice plan for the month. At this level, additional bi-weekly or monthly private sessions can accelerate the learning process if the player is following their prescribed practice plan.
As we onboard new participants, we're finding new ways to better identify which level on the player pathway they belong on — so they can experience some success before reaching their challenge point.
For any additional questions, please contact us at JuniorAcademy@PaulMaurerGolf.com
Ready to get started?
Tell us a bit about your player and we'll route you to the right level.