Try Something New This Summer in the Ozarks

Does swinging a club or a paddle sound fun? Learn how to play golf or pickleball at a Park Board location. If you like water sports, local instructors can teach you to sail over the surface of a lake or dive beneath it. Do something fun for yourself this summer by taking lessons in recreation through one of these local organizations.

Playing Pickleball in Springfield, Missouri

A cross between ping-pong and tennis, pickleball is the hot trending sport of the decade. Pickleball courts have multiplied across our city (and many others), and people of all ages are playing. To join the fun, take lessons! The Springfield-Greene County Park Board offers two-hour Pickleball Beginner Clinics on May 10, July 19, Sept. 13 and Nov. 8 at the Dan Kinney Family Center, 2701 S. Blackman Road, $20 for Family Center members and $35 for non-members. The instructor-led class for teens and adults teaches fundamentals, terminology, serving and returning, proper court rotation, rules of the game and how to keep score. The beginner class is best for newbies and those who have only played a few months. The Park Board also offers intermediate clinics. Pre-registration for classes is required.

Learn more about pickleball in southwest Missouri in our feature.

Sailing in Southwest Missouri

There’s a certain romance paired with adventure when sailing across a breezy lake, and you’re in luck if that appeals to you. That’s because Springfield has a sailing club with members who conduct lessons on Fellows Lake. The club offers three basic programs from spring through early fall. Club members recommend signing up for First Sail if you’ve never sailed before. This “try it” program includes two hours on the water with an instructor ($120 total for up to three people). The next step is taking an Intro to Sailing class, a four-hour lesson for beginners ($200). Last, lessons for any level are $50/hour for two hours minimum. Once you’re proficient, rent a sailboat from the Fellows Lake Marina.

Golf in the Ozarks

Do you feel left out when golfing friends head for the nearest course? It’s never too late to learn how to putt, chip and drive. That’s because the Rick Grayson Golf School isn’t just for kids. Award-winning PGA teacher Rick Grayson offers a two-day golf school each month March through October for adults and teens. Participants learn to putt, chip and drive on a Saturday, then combine those skills for play on Sunday. The school ($350) includes group instruction and individual attention. In addition, Grayson offers 45-minute to one-hour lessons for individuals ($80) or a pair ($60 each), tailored to a budding golfer’s needs. The school also offers camps for kids, individual lessons for improvement and more.

Read more about the golf scene in southwest Missouri.

Scuba Diving in Springfield, Missouri

Whether you’re keen to explore beneath the surface of Table Rock Lake or in tropical waters, learn how to scuba dive through Diventures, a local business that also hosts swimming lessons. If you want to dive down to 60 feet, take the SSI Open Water Diver certification course with skilled instructors and a variety of diving equipment. Evening and weekend classes include eight to 10 hours of digital learning at home; classroom and pool sessions with instructors; and finally, four open water training dives, which can occur in local waters or on a certification trip with Diventures. Not quite ready to commit or wondering if it’s for you? Start with a two-hour “Try Scuba” lesson where you can try equipment and learn to breathe underwater. Try Scuba lessons ($100) are offered May 4, 11, 18 and 25, and continue in June and beyond.