For the past seven years, the First Swing Program has been part of daily life at Mary Kihn School for Hearing-Impaired Children. What started as golf sessions has grown into something far more meaningful for the learners and staff.

In this structured and calming environment, learners develop coordination, balance, strength, and body awareness while engaging in an activity that supports focus and emotional regulation. Teachers often notice that learners return to class more settled, calmer, and better able to concentrate after participating in the program.

“For our learners, the First Swing Program provides far more than golf instruction. It creates a space where confidence, independence, and self-esteem grow as they master new skills.”

The clear routines and supportive approach of the First Swing team align closely with the school’s holistic development goals. Learners are given opportunities to practise important life skills such as following instructions, turn-taking, patience, and perseverance in a setting that feels safe and enjoyable.

“The therapeutic benefits for our learners’ physical, emotional, and overall wellbeing cannot be overstated. We are deeply grateful for the dedication and understanding the First Swing team brings to our children year after year.”

For Mary Kihn School, the First Swing Program is not an add-on activity. It has become an integral part of the school environment and a highlight for many learners each week.

— DL Smith, Mary Kihn School for Hearing-Impaired Children

Full testimonial from the school:

Mary Kihn School for Hearing-Impaired Children has had the privilege of being part of the First Swing Program for the past seven years, and during this time we have witnessed the profound impact the program has had on our learners, both educationally and therapeutically.

The First Swing Program offers far more than golf instruction. For our learners, it provides a structured, calming, and engaging environment where they can develop coordination, balance, strength, and body awareness. Many of our learners benefit greatly from the rhythmic, repetitive nature of golf, which supports regulation, focus, and emotional grounding. We often observe learners returning to class more settled, calmer, and better able to concentrate after participating in the program.

From an educational perspective, the program aligns beautifully with our goals of holistic development. Learners show increased confidence, improved self-esteem, and a growing sense of independence as they master new skills. The clear structure and consistent routines within the program are especially beneficial for children with additional sensory or communication needs.

Professionally, the program has been an invaluable support to our staff. It complements therapeutic and educational interventions already in place and provides meaningful opportunities for learners to generalise skills such as following instructions, turn-taking, patience, and perseverance. Personally, it is rewarding to see the joy, pride, and sense of achievement our learners experience through participation.

The First Swing Program has become an integral part of our school environment, and its therapeutic benefits for our learners’ physical, emotional, and overall wellbeing cannot be overstated. We are deeply grateful for the dedication, understanding, and passion the First Swing team brings to our children year after year.

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of a program that truly makes a difference in the lives of our learners.

Kind regards,

DL Smith
Mary Kihn School for Hearing-Impaired Children

The experience shared by Mary Kihn School reflects what the First Swing Program continues to achieve in schools across South Africa, creating spaces where learners can grow in confidence, focus, and independence through golf.