How good is he?

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Paul64B

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My 8 year-old son (tiny for his age) has just posted a score of 107 on a particularly challenging par 64 course (Greetham Valley, Lincs in case you were wondering). He selects his clubs himself and needs little guidance from me - not that that would really help that much! My question is, is this a good score for a boy of 8?' I simply would like an opinion from anyone who knows a thing or two about the game. I'm not looking for 'but my son can do it in 106' type remarks. Just an honest opinion.

Any perspectives would be very welcome.

Paul64B
 
Regardless of anything else, it is a good start. I wouldnt concentrate on scores, Id get the lad onto the practice area and get him onto his short game. At 8 years of age, distance on the big course will only put him off playing. Create games where he gets 10 balls and for every one inside a specific distance, he gets a point/reward. Dont be afraid of the putter and bunkers also. The earlier he understanda how the ball reacts around the greens the more accomplished he will be in later years. Good luck.
 
Thanks for that. Sam's been practicing since the age of 7, mainly on the short game. This was his first full round so looking to benchmark really.

The points idea is great...points equal pocket money so a nice way to focus his attention!

Paul64B
 
He is 8!!!!!!........give him the clubs and let him have some fun, don't worry about what he is scoring or rewards for chipping & putting just let him have some fun.
 
Paul, has he had any lessons?

My son is five and has come to the range with me on occassion and says he enjoys it, thinking of some lessons for him but worried they may be intense and put him off?

As people have mentioned here I just want him to have fun.
 
Sam has lots of fun.

He's joined a local club who run the US Kids Golf Academy training scheme. This scheme combines all the aspects of the game over 5 levels of achievement. It teaches them the basics but in a very fun and interactive way. Absolutely no pressure and no real competitiveness. You local club might run the scheme, if not, they might consider running it. A pros pack is available from www.uskidsgolf.com

You can start at 5!
 
I think if you can get him to putt well and then learn the art of chipping he'll be a handful once he grows a bit and can get to grips with the full swing under professional tutoring. Its a pretty decent first score although I have to be honest and say a proper course is a hard slog for an eight year old and would probably be left as a once in a while treat. If he wants to play on proper holes as proposed to a range etc try a decent par 3 course somewhere
 
Its starting to sound like an advert this ;).
Click to expand...

I agree
Why buy from America? There are 1000s of pros and amateurs teaching junior clinics every week, mostly free of charge so why should people have to go and buy these packs from the States?
:mad:
 
It was the Valley. I've heard good reports about Greetham being a good place for tuition - unfortunately it can be costly, and some pros will not teach kids under 12. Sam will find his own way and playing courses is a great way to learn without any pressure.
 
That is a really good score. I took my 6 year old daughter around a 4 hole short corse today all holes between 50 and 80 yards. She needed to do 1 hole in 7 shots or better to complete level 1 of her junior golf passport and i was expecting her to struggle but she hit 6 on the 1st and 6 on the 2nd no problem and i was chuffed. Most clubs down here run the junior golf passport program and it seems to work really well. If your son enjoys playing 18 hole courses and it doesnt tire him out to much then i would let him go for it. The main thing is not to put to much pressure on him or it could turn him off the sport. I sometimes have to remind myself that because it is natural to want your kids to be really good at sport early.
 
I remember Arnold Palmer saying that the best thing was to let them hit the ball as far as they can, then later learn control. That is much easier than the other way round.
 
I have to be honest and say a proper course is a hard slog for an eight year old and would probably be left as a once in a while treat. If he wants to play on proper holes as proposed to a range etc try a decent par 3 course somewhere
Click to expand...

Homer's getting worried.... ;)
 
My 8 year-old son (tiny for his age) has just posted a score of 107 on a particularly challenging par 64 course (Greetham Valley, Lincs in case you were wondering). He selects his clubs himself and needs little guidance from me - not that that would really help that much! My question is, is this a good score for a boy of 8?' I simply would like an opinion from anyone who knows a thing or two about the game. I'm not looking for 'but my son can do it in 106' type remarks. Just an honest opinion.

Any perspectives would be very welcome.

Paul64B
Click to expand...

Your son is doing great, at 8 yrs old a number of his shots will be swallowed up just covering the distances, what you should look at if you want an idea of his potential is his swing, the type of shot he creates, accuracy and consistency. If your not sure yourself, get a pro to look at him. But having said that, its just great your out there with him having fun. Has he played very much?

My own son started at that age and was showing great promise, but now he has gone off the idea of golf and this may happen with your lad. My lad is 11 now and is happy to come for the odd game and hopefully he will get back into it, but Im loathe to pressure him. ;)
 
I've played the Valley, that is a really fine score.

I'm a bit down the A1 from there but the pro's at my track are <u>really</u> good with the kids.
The senior pro is a GM top 25 and coaches the England U-16/U-18 so plenty of scope for progression too.
 
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