Golf For Kids – How To Get Started
Ever since the story of Tiger Wood’s dad having a two year old swinging a club on national TV, parents that golf have dreamed of their child learning to play and loving the sport as much as they do. For others that have enjoyed golf all their lives, they think it’s a great way to relax, enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise and would love to get their children involved as well.
For some kids golf becomes an early passion but for others it’s just not that much fun. It is also harder nowadays to get kids off their video games and electronic devices and physically participating in a sport.
If you want your child to start to golf at a young age and grow an interest in the game then here are some helpful ideas on how to get your kids into golf.
What Age Should Kids Start Playing Golf
There are lots of sites that offer up suggestions of age 6 or 7 or 8…start them either when they show an interest in golf, or as early as 2 years old. I’m not saying to take them to your local course and make them drive balls all afternoon just give them a plastic golf club and something to hit. Give them a bunch of water balloons on the ground and get them whacking at those or set up some sort of target and just let them rip it.
How To Teach Golf To Your Kids
As I just mentioned, a plastic club and ball are a good way to start a child who’s really young. Make a game of what they are hitting and some sort of reward for hitting it the farthest. It really doesn’t matter at that age, just get them to see what a golf club is. With older kids, simply taking them out to a miniature putting course may get them more interested in golf. Take them to a driving range with you to watch you hit the ball, they may want to try it out too. Kids want to be active and try new things and letting them simply participate can get them interested. Sometimes offering up a reward for doing well can do wonders also.
If after a while they have really taken an interest in playing golf, look into golf lessons or golf camps for kids to help them not only learn to play better but to foster their enjoyment by hanging out with kids and participating in some of the learning games that golf camps do.
Kids Golf Club Sets – What Should You Get?
Depends on the age of the child. If you are talking 2-3 years old, you can get a plastic set from a Dollar store that they can swing around with. If you are looking for golf equipment for a 6-8 year old (or older) you will want a junior set of golf clubs that are a proper fit for their size. You can buy some at a golf shop but many times you can find a used set either online or at a second hand sporting goods store. Try to find clubs that are proper fitting and know that you will need to get new junior clubs as they grow. Don’t buy clubs that they will “grow into” because they won’t be able to hit them properly and probably discourage them from pursuing golf further.
What If They Show No Interest In Golf
There are two schools of thought on this. First would be to simply back off and try again later. Some kids don’t want to be forced to do something they don’t want to do and could start to resent golf because of it. The other is to try to include some your friends and their kids and set up a simple course in the backyard or taking them out to a mini putt course, driving range or even a golf course. If you go to a course, make sure you rent a cart. Kids always love a golf cart and it will minimize them from getting tired walking 9 or 18 holes.
You may also have to face the facts that your child truly has no interest in playing golf which is OK too!
Regardless, you know what works best with your child and if you want to get your young one(s) into golf them keep some of these tips in mind and adapt them to your child’s strengths.
