He never imagined he would want to spend Saturday mornings on the golf course or even try out for his high school golf team. But that was three months ago - before Jacob took his first lesson at a Learn to Golf clinic hosted by the hospital for patients who live in the Lubbock area.

Now, Jacob can't get enough driving, putting and chipping.

"He has just adored it," said Susan Martin, Jacob's mother. "It's opened up some doors for him."

Contact sports could be dangerous for kids like Jacob, who has Blount's disease, a condition that prevents his tibias, or shin bones, from growing normally. But golf is a good fit. The sport offers a way for kids with physical disabilities to be active, and it also can be therapeutic, which is why the hospital considers its Learn to Golf program a top priority.

"A lot of our patients cannot play contact sports like their brothers and sisters or friends," said Kelly Hosch, Learn to Golf program coordinator. "Golf is a sport we can all play for a lifetime."

The Learn to Golf program was started in 1998 by the hospital's therapeutic recreation department. Clinics are held throughout the state to make attending easy for patients and their families. The program provides the tools and instruction needed for patients to participate in and reap the rehabilitative benefits of golf. "Playing golf can be very beneficial to their conditions," Hosch said. "The sport can help improve their strength, their coordination and their flexibility."

Chuck Martin, Jacob's dad, has already begun noticing some positive changes in his son.

"It's made things easier for him to accomplish and really improved his self esteem and self respect," he said.

Clinics are led by allied health care and golf professionals who are specially trained to teach children with challenging physical conditions. If needed, the hospital's patients use special adaptive equipment to play golf with prostheses or from a sitting position.

The program is supported by funds from TSRHC donors and a multi-year grant provided by the United States Golf Association (USGA) to aid in the expansion and enhancement of the program. Thanks to this generous support, there is no cost for TSRHC patients to participate in the clinics. Learn to Golf participants can continue taking lessons thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA).

TSRHC patient parent Henry S. Patel of Lubbock provided lunch for participants at the recent Lubbock clinic. TSRHC Trustee Bob Clemmons attended the clinic. TSRHC's Learn to Golf program teaches beginner to expert junior golfers about golf safety, etiquette, driving, chipping and putting. But, perhaps more importantly, junior golfers learn that they can be successful even if they have a challenging condition.

"The Learn to Golf program is a wonderful opportunity for kids to meet others who have similar conditions," Hosch said. "They see that they are not as different as they might have imagined and that their physical disability doesn't have to be their defining characteristic."

That's one aspect of the program that Jacob really enjoys.

"It's great because they look past our disabilities and find our potential skill," said Jacob, a hopeful member of the new Lockney High School golf team.