PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Throughout the month of July, affordable family fun is just a short par 3 away as PGA/LPGA Professionals nationwide encourage families to hit the links through special activities during the fourth annual Family Golf Month.

Family Golf Month provides a structured, yet casual, opportunity for families to learn the game of golf and spend uninterrupted quality time together. Every family member — young and old — can participate and receive the benefits a round of golf provides, including fresh air and beautiful outdoor scenery as well as a healthy dose of exercise.

Nationwide, approximately 1,000 golf courses have registered to host Family Golf Month programs, with over 2,000 unique family golf opportunities currently listed on PlayGolfAmerica.com. Examples of the kinds of activities offered during July, and throughout the summer, include: free 3-hole family scrambles at Pine Forest Country Club in Summerville, SC; family fun nights for only $6 a person at the Bridger Creek Golf Course, in Bozeman, Mont.; and the Drive-In Movie Night and Teen Pool Party at The Peninsula Golf and Country Club in Millsboro, Del.

Consumers can find a complete list of facilities, such as those mentioned above, that are participating in Family Golf Month, along with details on specific events and online registration, by zip code on the Play Golf America Web site at PlayGolfAmerica.com. Moreover, consumers interested in family golf opportunities should contact their local golf course, as thousands of other facilities are encouraging families to get out and play with even more programs. Or, families can simply schedule a tee time together.

"There is no need to travel far from home this year to enjoy your vacation, when affordable summer fun is right around the corner at your local golf course during Family Golf Month," said PGA of America president Jim Remy. "So grab your golf clubs, your kids, your grandkids and enjoy a day together, as you learn the game of golf under the expert instruction of PGA/LPGA Professionals."

Along with family golf clinics and play days for a nominal fee, PGA/LPGA Professionals may also customize additional programs that best fit their facility, resources and style such as 3-, 6-, or 9-hole scrambles, family golf tees and score cards or a family cookout to celebrate the day. "Take Your Daughter to the Course Week" and "Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range" are two additional programs promoted during the month.

The PGA of America teams with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) to promote Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, July 6-12. The NGCOA developed Take Your Daughter to the Course Week in 2000 to support its members and encourage overall participation in golf, especially among girls and their families. The program is now promoted under the Play Golf America marketing umbrella. Participating golf courses across the country offer a free clinic during the week and also offer complimentary green fees to juniors accompanied by a paying adult. Take Your Daughter to the Course Week consumer profiles have consistently shown that 37 percent are new customers and 28 percent are new golfers/beginners.

"Families who take advantage of Take Your Daughter to the Course Week and all the other programs offered during Family Golf Month will enjoy quality time well spent at their local course," said Anne Lyndrup, Director of Player Development for the NGCOA.

Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range is a Golf Digest Publications and Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) initiative promoted under Family Golf Month. Throughout July, participating facilities provide special offers on range ball purchases for families and may also host family clinics, contests and other events.

For further family golf time, PGA Family Course programs are hosted year round and create a "short course" experience within any existing course, making golf more fun, enjoyable and playable for golfers of any age or ability. The program, launched in August 2007 at facilities nationwide in partnership with U.S. Kids Golf and the PGA Family Tee Program, has grown to 450 courses nationwide.

Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult golfers, was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including: the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference. The program utilizes the PlayGolfAmerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf. Visit PGA.com or PlayGolfAmerica.com to learn more.

The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses.

Founded in 1992, the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) is celebrating its 17th Anniversary in 2009. The GRAA is a membership trade organization that counts owners, operators, general managers and teaching professionals at both golf ranges and golf courses among its members in the U.S. and Canada. The GRAA is focused on all golf facilities in the sweet spot of teaching & training; clubfitting and retail; practice and other family recreational amenities. The GRAA is based in Connecticut. For more information visit GolfRange.org.

Golf Digest Publications is part of Condé Nast Publications and includes Golf Digest, Golf World, Golf Digest Index and GolfDigest.com. Condé Nast, a unit of Advance Publications, includes consumer magazines and their Web sites, Condé Nast Digital, the Fairchild Fashion Group, the Condé Nast Media Group, and the Shared Services Centers.