The story behind the mission, and how we're making it happen.
Golf is more than a sport. It's where business deals are made, mentorships are formed, and lifelong friendships begin. But for far too many people, the barrier to entry starts before they ever reach the first tee: the cost of equipment.
A decent set of clubs can cost $500 to $1,500. For individuals and families already stretched thin, that price tag makes golf feel like a world that wasn't built for them. Meanwhile, millions of perfectly good clubs sit unused in garages, closets, and storage units across the country.
Next On The Tee bridges that gap. We collect donated equipment, professionally refurbish it, and custom-fit it to players who otherwise wouldn't have access to the game. Every set we build is measured, matched, and assembled with care, because everyone deserves equipment that fits them, not just whatever's available.
We don't just hand out old clubs. Every piece of equipment that comes through our program receives what we call the Tee Time Treatment: heads are cleaned and polished, shafts are inspected, grips are replaced, and the clubs are organized into sets based on each player's measurements, swing style, and experience level. When someone receives their bag, it looks and feels like it was built just for them, because it was.
Our intake process captures key physical measurements (like wrist-to-floor distance and handedness) and athletic background to determine the right club length, lie angle, and shaft flex for each player. This isn't a one-size-fits-all charity. This is personalized equipment matching backed by real fitting data.
We partner with local non-profits, community organizations, golf courses, and youth programs to identify players who need equipment and to organize collection drives. Our goal isn't just to give people clubs; it's to connect them with the broader golf community so they have a place to play, people to play with, and a path to grow in the sport.
Where we are and where we're headed.
Secure non-profit partnerships (501c3), build the intake system, and begin collecting community pledges from golfers ready to donate gear.
Launch our first organized collection event in partnership with local golf courses and community organizations in Maine.
Begin processing intake profiles, fitting clubs to players, and distributing the first custom-built sets to recipients.
Expand to additional regions, develop the Tee Time Connect community platform, and build long-term sustainability through sponsorships and grants.
Golfers drop off gently used clubs at designated collection points or community drive events. Any brand, any condition.
Our team inspects every club for quality, categorizes them by type and specifications, and identifies what can be refurbished.
Clubs are cleaned, polished, and regripped. Damaged equipment is repaired or recycled responsibly.
Recipients complete a profile with their measurements, handedness, athletic background, and equipment needs.
Our matching algorithm pairs each player with the right clubs based on their physical profile and experience level.
Players receive their custom-built bag and are connected with local courses and programs to start their journey.