I saw something today that really pleased me!

[KeefG]

I was just finishing off on the 18th at about 3:30pm when I look up and see a troupe of school uniforms that I recognise as the same as my daughters, all plodding along behind the headteacher of my daughters school (this is an infants school).

Anyway, as they rounded the 18th green, all with eyes on me as I left a 6 footer for birdie short, they all disappeared up the top end of the car park....i finished up and put my gear in the car, drove up the top and here is said head teacher with these 10 or so kids on the practice ground and they're all trying to use his clubs off the mats

I pulled over and chatted to him for a bit and offered my services, although i'm no pro, anything to get kids involved in golf is top drawer by me. The head informed me that they'd got funding, to pay for 10 x 2hr sessions with the pro at my local track who was going to teach them all putting and ball striking and to see if any of them were any good/get them hooked.

There was one lass there, she was 7 and she was fantastic, the head said it was only the 3rd time she'd picked up a club but was a complete natural!!

Anyway, I told him by the time my daughter is old enough to come with them she'll be out driving him, she's only 5 but i take her to the range with me often!!!

Absolutely fantastic though, schools trying to get kids that young into golf but a big round of appluase to the Leeds Education Board for giving the funding for it in the 1st place.....apparently they have already secured funding for next year for more kids and 15 sessions instead of 10

These kids are the future of our game!

 

[MVP]

good stuff mate pleased to hear it. good luck to your daughter.

 

[golfnut18]

thats really good to hear, i wish more schools did that as it would certainly bring the game to a far wider audience. i must admit however when i read the title i thought your post was going to be about something else

 

[mono217]

My school does this and we fundraise and whatever we raise barcleycard match.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good to see the school taking a positive step but I think the club needs to get involved and make sure suitable equipment is available for kids that young rather than an adults clubs.

 

[USER1999]

I get driven out of my local driving range quite often when the girls fom the local school arrive for their group session. The noise is unbelievable.
However, fair play to them, and I hope a few get hooked on it. They are the future of the game.

This is where the ipod comes in handy.

 

[KeefG]

Good to see the school taking a positive step but I think the club needs to get involved and make sure suitable equipment is available for kids that young rather than an adults clubs.

I did ask about that HJS, apparently if all continues to improve and the kids enjoy it then they will look to buy their own.

That is unless any of the kind folk on here want to donate cash and i'll give it to the head, he can go to Sports World and buy some cheap dunlop clubs for about £8 a piece which will be better than using his old clubs.

I think i'll go and buy a couple of clubs tomorrow anyway and donate them, and they can have my sons 1/2 set as they're too small for him now.

 

[Golfmmad]

I was just finishing off on the 18th at about 3:30pm when I look up and see a troupe of school uniforms that I recognise as the same as my daughters, all plodding along behind the headteacher of my daughters school (this is an infants school).

Anyway, as they rounded the 18th green, all with eyes on me as I left a 6 footer for birdie short, they all disappeared up the top end of the car park....i finished up and put my gear in the car, drove up the top and here is said head teacher with these 10 or so kids on the practice ground and they're all trying to use his clubs off the mats

I pulled over and chatted to him for a bit and offered my services, although i'm no pro, anything to get kids involved in golf is top drawer by me. The head informed me that they'd got funding, to pay for 10 x 2hr sessions with the pro at my local track who was going to teach them all putting and ball striking and to see if any of them were any good/get them hooked.

There was one lass there, she was 7 and she was fantastic, the head said it was only the 3rd time she'd picked up a club but was a complete natural!!

Anyway, I told him by the time my daughter is old enough to come with them she'll be out driving him, she's only 5 but i take her to the range with me often!!!

Absolutely fantastic though, schools trying to get kids that young into golf but a big round of appluase to the Leeds Education Board for giving the funding for it in the 1st place.....apparently they have already secured funding for next year for more kids and 15 sessions instead of 10

These kids are the future of our game!

Interesting post Keefg, and I certainly agree with your sentiments re. Kids are the future of our game.

I played at Mid-Sussex on Sunday, Where Niel Plimmer is the head pro. After the round and walking past the putting green, it was a joy to behold! There sitting around the putting green must have been 30 eight to twelve year olds, mostly girls, attentively listening to Neils instruction.
Never seen the like before - with sessions like that, hopefully at other courses as well, the future is certainly bright for Junior golf!

Golfmmad.

 

[jammydodger]

I hope you've had a CRB check done

 

[ADB]

Just to follow on from Golfmmad's point, I live down the road from Mid Sussex GC and play there often. Without fail I see a junior training session taking place or a competition ongoing. Neil and his colleagues have gone into all the local schools teaching the basics and getting kids interested.

Well done to him and I just hope my kids (boy 5 and girl 2) get into the sport as they won't have a better opportunity to learn than with Neil.

 

[KeefG]

I hope you've had a CRB check done

I have actually I have to have a valid CRB because of my job!

 

[Herbie]

I think its brilliant and good on the teacher and/or school.

 

[GRAEMBO]

Just to follow on from Golfmmad's point, I live down the road from Mid Sussex GC and play there often. Without fail I see a junior training session taking place or a competition ongoing. Neil and his colleagues have gone into all the local schools teaching the basics and getting kids interested.

Well done to him and I just hope my kids (boy 5 and girl 2) get into the sport as they won't have a better opportunity to learn than with Neil.

mate iv coached kids as young as 4 with a thing called tri golf. its just a fun quick version of the game with big plastic clubs to start. you should find out if there is any of this going on in your area...start them early!!!

 

[ADB]

Thanks - I will look into it. The lad already gives it a wallop in the garden with a plastic club, just don't want to push too hard!!