Starting my littl'un playing golf. Advice.

[Tiger]

My son loves golf. He's only 2 and a half but he watches it with me in telly, claps when the ball goes in, whacks a ball round the living toon with a plastic club (and insists I clap what he deems to be a good shot) and always asks to come with me to play 'golf balls'.

Anyway I've decided that now is the time to build on his enthusiasm. Thinking of getting him a putter and a wedge and taking him for small bites of time so he can have a go at putting and chipping. He lives seeing the ball go in the hole so just want to build on that.

I just want him to have fun and realise he'll have a short attention span so when we go together it'll be all about him. Just wondered if anyone had started their kids off that young and had any helpful advice.

 

[Mongoose]

A pal of mine started his off at 2, mainly as he couldnt stop him! He had the plastic little clubs and messed in the house and garden. Then he got him the basic Young Guns smallest clubs, I cut up one of my skinny pencil bags and remade it into a mini bag for the lad and he started. He's been playing about a year and a half now and is 3.. My pal is a decent golfer and has taught him, but he also takes him to weekly group youngster lessons at a range. He loves it. He also takes him on his club course when its quiet and plays a few holes. He doesnt hit it very far, but is quite good at chipping and putting.

From what I have observed hardest thing is finding him equipment, the shortest clubs were still a bit much for him, but he's growing into them. He has struggled finding him shoes and the kiddies bags they sell are all too heavy, so be prepared to modify some equipment if you intend him to actually play rather just hit some balls.

I am sure others here may have direct experience rather than mine which is observed, but from what I have seen 2 isnt too young. I played his first golf hole with him when he was 2, a shortish par 4, and he scored 16. Hope that helps in some small way.

 

[Tiger]

Cheers thanks for the insight. My pros got some titchy kids clubs at the moment so will have a look at them. Might get him gator golf as well!

 

[pokerjoke]

Hi Tiger,my boy loves golf too,he is now 3 1/2 and can hit the ball quite well,ive taught him a few things and he has picked them up well,but most of the time i just let him hit it by himself and generally let him enjoy it,im thinking maybe when hes 5 i will take him saturday mornings with a pro.Go on youtube and punch in 2 year old playing golf,thats my boy.

 

[kid2]

Tiger iv got 2 mate ....An 8 yr old girl and a 3 year old boy...Probably not much older than your little man....
Like him my fellow is nuts on the game he even sits and watch's it on the tv with me....
Funny thing is....we're all right handed even him but he swings a club from the left and even grips left below right...

So a months ago i bought him a left handed putter and a 9iron/wedge....
He loves it...I bring him with me anytime i can make it to the club for practice...As you know there like a second shadow so i get to score brownie points with herslf too....

Its never too early pal....If he's showing interest let him off...You never know you could have the next Luke Donald in the making.

 

[Evesdad]

My daughter was 7 when she started coming to the range with me, which was great and gave me an excuse to go more often. She draws the line at playing and a year on hates watching it on tv with me! The only real key is keeping it fun my daughter loved the group sessions at the range, the assistant pro was great she loved him and his praise, little games with the winner getting a choc bar.

 

[Tiger]

Thanks guys. Good to know some of you have started yours off at the same age. kid he's the same but trying to urge him towards right hand grip but we'll see what happens. We'll be organising mini forum meets soon!