They’re starting ‘em young at Caddy Shack.

Every Monday and Tuesday evening, a handful of boys and girls are getting their rips in, and in the process, they’re getting a head start on the lifetime of learning required to master the game of golf.

Teaching professional Tom Coucci hosts the youth classes, which cost $15 per session and include the lesson and a large bucket of golf balls.

“They’re like little sponges,” he said of the youngsters who come out to pound ball after ball off the matts at Caddy Shack. “It’s nice to get them going in the right direction, learning the basics. It could be pouring out, but they make their moms and dads bring them. They love it.”

At Caddy Shack, Coucci, who’s been at it for over 24 years, first takes the students up onto the top level of the two-tiered driving range to work on their swings. The kids get a group lesson with individual attention, with Coucci even breaking out the cell phone to shoot some video in order to better break down their swings individually.

Students are also given the opportunity to work on their chipping and putting following the hour lessons, which start at 5:30.

“It’s a good program,” said parent Steve Costa, whose sons Landen and Logan are regular participants in the clinics dating back to last year.

“He loves it,” said mother Dawn Ferland of her 8-year-old son Austin Cruz. 
“He’s been coming for two years now. And Tom — he’s the best.”

Coucci said he enjoys seeing the kids get started at an early age.

“I love teaching the kids,” said Coucci, who also teaches private lessons for adults at the facility that also includes mini-golf, batting cages, and more. “The kids are my favorite.”

For more information or to sign up for the clinics, visit www.caddyshackdartmouth.com or call (508) 991-7976.