LABsters junior golfers and coaches on the green at The Backyard in Surrey

LABsters Junior Golf · Surrey & Langley

Real golf starts 25 yards from the hole.

Operation 36 gives juniors a place to start playing, learning to score and growing their love of golf—one level at a time.

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The Operation 36 model

Learn to score. Then move back.

Operation 36 starts close to the green, so a beginner can experience the game on the course—not just practise a swing on the range. Juniors play nine holes, starting 25 yards from the centre of the green on each hole.

The goal is to shoot 36 or better over nine holes. When a player reaches that goal, they move back to the next distance and take on a new challenge. Coaches and the Operation 36 curriculum support learning and practice along the way.

Learn more about the model

The journey

Six levels. One clear next step.

Distances are per hole. Progress comes from playing and scoring, at a pace that fits the golfer.

Operation 36 course diagram showing progression from 25-yard holes through 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards to full tee yardages

Level 0125 yards
Level 0250 yards
Level 03100 yards
Level 04150 yards
Level 05200 yards
Level 06Full tee

Why course access matters

Kids learn golf by playing golf.

Being on the course teaches a child how to make decisions, get the ball in the hole and understand their score. Starting close makes that experience approachable, even when a player is new to the game.

Technical skills matter, too. They develop with coaching and practice over the years as children grow and get stronger. We believe the chance to play, score and enjoy the game belongs at the beginning—not after a child has mastered a swing.

LABsters junior golfers and coaches together in Surrey

LABsters at Clayton Hills Par 3

A place to play. A reason to return.

More than 504 juniors have gone through the Operation 36 program with LABsters at Clayton Hills Par 3 in Surrey. The course has given young golfers a place to put their learning into action and experience the game beyond the practice green.

With 16 years of junior-development experience serving Surrey and Langley, Langley Golf Academy believes great programs give kids a clear path, supportive coaches and plenty of reasons to have fun.

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The people behind the pathway

Designed with the long game in mind.

Matt Palsenbarg designs and builds the academy’s junior programs. He has led more than 50 kids to golf scholarships and served for seven years as British Columbia Golf Provincial Coach.

Matt did not personally coach children under 11. Instead, he found skilled lead coaches and support coaches to guide those programs, creating a fun and encouraging environment that makes kids want to come back.

Meet our coaches

The next step

Let’s get them on the course.

Explore LABsters programs and registration, or get in touch if you have questions about junior golf in Surrey and Langley.