Getting kids into golf

[Marshy77]

Took my 7 year old boy to the range today and he absolutely loved it. Struggled to get him into sport having tried football (which I was hoping like me he'd love) and cricket and he wasn't bothered at all but loved it yesterday, was one of them dad and lad moments that I will never forget.

I should him a few things like the basics but wondered if anyone has any basic advice to keepp him interested and also make it enjoyable?

Spoke to the pro who I have lessons with a 6 1 hour session are £65 which I thought was reasonable but thought I'd keep going with him until maybe he decides he would like to carry on.

 

[Whee]

I'm not convinced you'll be able to get a 7 year old to make a commitment. But if he enjoys going, and it's something he looks forward to, then that interest alone should be enough to justify your decision in getting him lessons.

A couple of guys I work with have got their 7 and 8 year olds lessons, and they're absolutely loving it. Get 'em hooked early doors and they'll never grow out of it I reckon.

 

[Mattyboy]

Nice 1 - its one of those 'thats me boy' moments. The golden rule is fairly obvious - do not push him. I have seen some very taented youngsters give up due to parental pressures.

I would go for the lessons, assuming the pro is good with kids. The level of teaching would be basic, but at that age its about having fun (having written that - isnt it about fun for us old uns too?).

I 'taught' a good young lad who got down to about 6 by age 14. We then got him in the county set up as his coaching needed to be of a higher standard than I could provide. He is off 1 now at aged 17. No amateur I have ever see can hit ball like he does! Actually, I dont think there are many pros. His got to get the mind game sorted now IMO.

Whatever you do - make sure he hs fun. And he might get into footi etc later so dont write it off.

 

[Marshy77]

Yes for me at that age its all about fun and enjoying it. I've done my level 1 football coaching and I'm very interested to learn what they call fundamentals in football and if there similar/the same for golf, would be interested in looking more into it.

I think I'll carry on taking him and see if he wants to keep on with it before making a commitment on lessons, we spoke to the pro yesterday and he was great with him and my son seemed to like him too so thats positive.

 

[pbrown7582]

I think at that age it's great to give him the opportunity but let him choose whether he wants to go with you to the range or not, the chances are he will but if you start making him go that's when you run the risk of putting him off.

 

[Marshy77]

I think at that age it's great to give him the opportunity but let him choose whether he wants to go with you to the range or not, the chances are he will but if you start making him go that's when you run the risk of putting him off.

Yes definitely, would never push a kid into something it will only do more harm than good. Its got to be all about enjoyment at that age

 

[Scadge]

Fantastic - I too have been blessed with those moments, my boys are 14 (10 handicap) and 8 (54 handicap) and are both mad keen.

My advice based on my boys experience is to keep if fun - don't push, try to encourage and don't try to give advice every shot. You could check out whether a local club does junior lessons (our club does an hour for £4 for members and non-members alike), so at least he gets a good grasp of the basics and meets other interested children - some of the local clubs might be doing summer sessions. Although it's early days yet you could in a while enquire about junior membership - I was astonished that it was only £80 for a year when my kids joined and we now don't see them in the summer.

Otherwise play pitch and putt or a par three course as well as going to the range, play crazy golf on holiday or at the seaside, if you're going for a few holes after work take him along. Also resist the temptation (and he too will be tempted) to get clubs which are too big for him - clubs which are too long or too heavy make it really difficult for kids - and remember that cutting down clubs makes the shafts far too stiff for them.

 

[Evesdad]

My daughter is 9 in August and loves coming to the range. I've tried not to push her and if she wants to come she can and a few times she doesn't. We've just had a junior coaching session at the club this morning and she more than held her own and think has sparked her interest again as she's a bit of a fair weather golfer! I've got a clip to post up later as she also hit the prize for straightest hitter, she'll be beating me soon!

 

[bobmac]

Group coaching.
Try and find somewhere that does group rather than 1-1 coaching.
Hopefully, he'll meet other kids his own age and they will learn and compete together.
Nothing better than a bit of fun with your mates playing golf.
It also sounds as if he prefers golf as an individual sport as oppossed to the team sports so you might want to consider that.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Group coaching.
Try and find somewhere that does group rather than 1-1 coaching.
Hopefully, he'll meet other kids his own age and they will learn and compete together.
Nothing better than a bit of fun with your mates playing golf.
It also sounds as if he prefers golf as an individual sport as oppossed to the team sports so you might want to consider that.

I started with some group lessons over the course of the week in the summer holidays. Perfect. The pro got us through the basics and it was the prefect environment. I think at that age 1-1 would be too rigid

 

[Evesdad]

Kids love and respond better to praise too, mine today won as I said and was literally walking on air! Her old coach at the range did group lessons and if he told her she was doing well etc she would just light up!! Finally got her to turn her hips today! I tell her for ages nothing, coach tells her and bang straight away!! Kids.

 

[Marshy77]

Group coaching.
Try and find somewhere that does group rather than 1-1 coaching.
Hopefully, he'll meet other kids his own age and they will learn and compete together.
Nothing better than a bit of fun with your mates playing golf.
It also sounds as if he prefers golf as an individual sport as oppossed to the team sports so you might want to consider that.

Yes was talking it through with the wife today and she said the same about individuality, he quite a sensative young boy and tackling etc in football was not for him lol.

Just going to take it step by step and see what he wants to do, see what happens.

Evesdad - you must be a proud dad, sounds brilliant. Nothing like getting a buzz from something your kids have done.

 

[Mattyboy]

I have my first 9 holes lined up for next weekend with my boy who is 9. He has done the group sessions (at Oddsocks club) and enjoyed them. It will be interesting as he prefers the team enviroment and plays footi for the local team. Of course I am biased but he has a decent swing - really on plane.

Today I played with a 10 year old (a mates son). Not sure what he was off but the potential is certainly there and his dad is off +2. The boys bunker play was mustard! He was in a trap for two, about 110 yards away. Out comes the 3 wood (and I am thinking this will crash into the lip of the bunker) and he hit it to 10 feet. From two other bunkers from around 30 yards he put it inside 5 feet!

Looking forward to next week big time!:smirk:

 

[palindromicbob]

My local pro does SNAG coaching sessions for kids. He's been in local schools and is now starting a free to attend summer camp. It's all using big head plastic clubs and a tennis type ball which sticks to velcro targets (including a velcro suit where he encorages the kids to hit balls at who ever is in the suit). It teaches the prinicles of golf well and they also get an introduction to the rules and ettiquette. The clubs have a grip on them that I'd love to put on my clubs. It's got coloured sections and angled in such a way that one thumb on one section then other thumb on the other colour automatically gives a neutral grip.

Maybe worth contacting to see if there is anything happening in your area?

http://www.snageurope.com

 

[Evesdad]

Nothing like seeing your kids enjoy something! Feel a bit bad as I've neglected her golf a bit over the winter as had to concentrate on my own game! Hope she continues to enjoy it!