Lessons when young

SwingsitlikeHogan

SwingsitlikeHogan

Major Champion
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Messages
34,259
Visit site
My lad joined my club ten years ago when he was 11 and had a few series of group lessons with our then assistant pro. He didn't play very much though as he focussed on cricket and we discontinued his membership after about three years. Since then he has played 9 holes at our local par 3 about twice a year and played 18 holes with me about 5 yrs ago on holiday.

In Glasgow last week and with our clubs in the boot we popped to the nearby Mearns Castle academy for 9 holes. Of the 9 holes we played he had five fives and worse was maybe a 9 - and he didn't miss the ball once. And here he is (all 6'4" of him) after hitting approach on the third hole. Compleely natural...

IMG_0022.jpg

I have to say I was a bit amazed at his swing. He says - well I had lessons - grip and stance he said. The value of lessons when young!
 
GreiginFife said:
My boy is only 3 and a half and already getting lessons from his grandad. Has taken to it really well so hopefully he sticks with it as he gets older.
Click to expand...

I could have tried teaching my lad but my club group lessons were £10 for four lessons. He had two lots. That little bit of formal coaching on stance and grip plus the natural inclination a kid has to swing a golf club in the correct way have resulted in what is a bleeding good golf swing. I'm sure that if he was inclined he could easily become a good golfer. But of course he is in a death metal band - so that rather takes priority - and I don't know how a golf club would take to his tattoos etc. Also he does have a bit of an attitude that were he pulled up on something and he didn't like it - his reaction would see him outta the door PDQ.

That aside. Damn good swing I thought given he doesn't really play the game. And all because of a few formal lessons from someone who actually knows (rather than me who might think I know) at the very start.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I could have tried teaching my lad but my club group lessons were £10 for four lessons. He had two lots. That little bit of formal coaching on stance and grip plus the natural inclination a kid has to swing a golf club in the correct way have resulted in what is a bleeding good golf swing. I'm sure that if he was inclined he could easily become a good golfer. But of course he is in a death metal band - so that rather takes priority - and I don't know how a golf club would take to his tattoos etc. Also he does have a bit of an attitude that were he pulled up on something and he didn't like it - his reaction would see him outta the door PDQ.

That aside. Damn good swing I thought given he doesn't really play the game. And all because of a few formal lessons from someone who actually knows (rather than me who might think I know) at the very start.
Click to expand...

That bit is why I don't try to teach him. Helps that his grandad is a pro as well mind. But I wouldn't try to teach him based on the number of flaws I have in my game.
 
whats that Mearns Castle course like? not too far from me but never tried it.

My wee boy has had a weekly group lesson but at his age he just wants to have fun ie tries to hit 3 balls at once:cool: uses club as a snooker cue:eek: and tries a running hit:lol: but I just want to ensure he grips it properly and gets a decent stance....then he can whack away all day if he wants......... SILH's post affirms this to be sound..

P.S my 6 yr old can now hit a mans 4 iron blade (only about 50 yds) but the contact is good........

its all about the fundamentals:thup:
 
Sounds like this supports the notion that we learn best when young? Amazing that he kept the swing idea's and got right back into the groove.

My just turned eight year old has been having a few lessons both in a group situation and 1:1 and enjoys this immensely. He uses the simple techniques and basics well and already has a nice swing! Can hit it 150yds but can just as easily hit it 10..! Not to worry as we play more around the greens chipping and putting which is what i think should be the key thing to learn for the future. Remembering how to do this when under a bit of pressure seems to be the way to go. Little get' already regularly beats me putting at home...
 
I would be having a word with him about white socks with black shoes and trousers before sorting his golf! Or is that trendy these days? I bet you can see his boxers with his troos hanging off him as well... Kids these days...


On a serious note, wish I would have had lessons as a kid. Few of my mates are getting back into golf now and u can see they learned the fundamentals from an early age!!
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I could have tried teaching my lad but my club group lessons were £10 for four lessons. He had two lots. That little bit of formal coaching on stance and grip plus the natural inclination a kid has to swing a golf club in the correct way have resulted in what is a bleeding good golf swing. I'm sure that if he was inclined he could easily become a good golfer. But of course he is in a death metal band - so that rather takes priority - and I don't know how a golf club would take to his tattoos etc. Also he does have a bit of an attitude that were he pulled up on something and he didn't like it - his reaction would see him outta the door PDQ.

That aside. Damn good swing I thought given he doesn't really play the game. And all because of a few formal lessons from someone who actually knows (rather than me who might think I know) at the very start.
Click to expand...

Attitude didn't stop Alice Cooper, who plays off 2 - having traded 1 addiction for another!

Cricket, or any other stick/racquet and ball game certainly helps with some parts of golf and maybe the swing - though they can get in the way too.. Certain traits do show through - Drives particularly for cricket and it only took the first Pro who saw my swing 2 seconds to recognise 25 years of Hockey in it!

Depending on age (and attitude and ability), I'm not sure whether teaching fundamentals is as important as 'having fun' hitting balls with some sort of skills focus. 11 (maybe a bit earlier these days) is about the crossover imo.

Also a bit dubious about the sock, but forgiveable on holiday! :D
 
Last edited:
LOL about the socks. You can't see the heavy metal t-shirt he's wearing or the tattoos all up his right arm!! When I called up about dress code they said - "no jeans - no fitba tops - so no Rangers or Celtic tops" - that's Glasgow :) No probs with his t-shirt though - even though he doesn't know how to tuck it in. And yes - he had his chinos pulled well up to play - his jeans are usually half way down his backside. One remarkable thing he said that he remembers to get his stance and grip right as he was shown - and the rest will sort itself out.
 
DarthVega said:
whats that Mearns Castle course like? not too far from me but never tried it.
Click to expand...

The picture gives you a good idea of what the whole course is like. Perfect for beginners or occasional casual golf. Loads of space, fairways fine, rough short or deep stuff mostly pretty well out of reach. But nice enough holes, good hgentle changes in elevation; fair bit of interest and nicely bunkered greens which were in pretty good nick. £13 each for the 18 holes I think it was. Yes - I'd play it again. And great views - another couple of snaps of 'Today's Golfer'? on Mearns Castle - showing well what you can expect.

IMG_0020.jpgIMG_0023.jpg
 
Gareth said:
My young lad is 3. He loves playing golf. Here's a video of him I took when he was 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzS5smo1bF0

When he's a little older and can understand what people are showing him, I'll get him into group lessons.
Click to expand...

Fantastic!!! :whoo:

What amazing clubhead speed!!!!!

My wee boy is now 12 days old..... bet he can still hit it better than me.
 
Went to sport and soccer, bought a Dunlop driver for £15.99 that I paid £7.99 for at the till (I guess they must have a sale on). Took my daughter to the practice ground armed with her new toy - 99yds was her furthest drive.

I told her she'd have to wait to join the forum, as she stared at me blankly :p

We were there for 2½ hrs, on the way home she asked "Can we come again tomorrow?" :thup:
 
I believe in getting lessons as soon as you can when you start. The better the starting point (in theory) the more it stand you in good stead. I think the OP's son clearly has natural hand eye co-ordination with his cricket etc and you can't teach that. Lots of good cricketers play golf to a high standard so if he gets the bug again he could be very good
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Proud Grandfather. (I think 🤔)
Replies
1
Views
339
Bunkermagnet
Bunkermagnet
Westy
Are the way 9 hole scores fair to other players
Replies
7
Views
355
abjectplop
A
P
Why are people A-Holes when playing MATCHPLAY?
4 5 6
Replies
101
Views
4K
Orikoru
Orikoru
Golfnut1957
Learning to play golf on the course.
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
Jigger
J
P
9 Hole cards
Replies
19
Views
1K
Orikoru
Orikoru
Top