Junior golfers are the future of the game and we need them to take up the game of golf in big numbers for golf to survive. The sooner they start, the easier it is to teach them. The main issues we need to address are: 1. When do you introduce them to golf and how do you do it? 2. When do you start them playing? 3. What clubs should they use to play? 4. What should they be taught and by whom? 5. When should you hand them over to a PGA Professional for swing and playing instruction?
1: You introduce them to golf by bringing them to the driving range with you and letting them hit some balls. It is critically important for them to have a good experience, and the number one factor needed for that is that they use junior clubs fit for their size. To get an idea of the right fit for the size of the child, you can go to www.uskidsgolf.com for answers on clubs. They are the leaders in fitting golf clubs to kids and have the simplest and best program I have ever seen. They also run junior tournaments all over the country for kids.
If they like hitting balls, then you can take the next step of bringing them to the course with you (when play is slow, like in the evening, so you are not rushed) and let them get a feel for the game. Sometimes just walking and pulling your pull cart and being with Dad are the greatest thrills and inducements to want to play. That is how I started. I was 10 or 11 and went with my Dad one evening to his summer league play and pulled his cart. He taught me to be still, be quiet, where to pull the cart (and where not to) and all the good points you need to know for proper golf etiquette'¦but mostly not to get in the way and get yelled at. (Note: I will soon write about how I got D. J. started playing golf.) I used to go fishing a lot with my Dad. We even had a small boat and motor outfit. I think it is safe to say, we barely ever went fishing anymore from that day on. I even ended playing baseball a few years later. but was 100% a golfer.
2: You start them playing after they have sufficient skills where they can hit the ball every swing and can move along and keep up. Again, you need to play at times when the course is quiet and you don't have to rush. Par 3 golf courses are great places to play, especially ones that are lit for night play. I guarantee you they will like that. Lastly, you can check around your area golf courses and find a junior instruction and tournament program and sign them up. Learning and playing with other juniors is great, as they are now learning and playing with other kids and are making friends all while playing golf. This is one of the best ways to boost interest and excitement to practice and play.
3: Getting back to the clubs point mentioned above, it is absolutely, positively a MUST that junior golfers play with junior clubs and clubs that fit them as described by US Kids Golf. In the OLD days, most everyone felt that for starters, you just cut down some of Dad or Mom's old clubs. This is doing your junior golfer a big disservice. For starters adult clubs will be too heavy. And, when you cut them down they will be too stiff. And for finishing up the problems, when you re-grip them, the grips will likely be too big, meaning they can never have a good/correct grip.
4: All juniors must be taught some basic setup and swing instruction and golf course etiquette from the get go, no matter how young they are. If Mom or Dad feels confident they can handle this basic instruction (correct setup and swing) in the beginning, then do it. If not, maybe a relative or friend who plays can help. Naturally, the length and depth of their Instruction should fit the age and learning ability of the child. And, naturally I would highly recommend teaching them the PPGS and setup. The final point here is that whatever you teach in setup, you should only teach proper grip, stance, posture and alignment. The younger they are, the easier they learn. Letting them play with poor setup technique dooms them to big problems as they get older and grow bigger and stronger. They will have to make changes in their setup and swing to stop what used to be little dinks in the fairway. Those little dinks turn into going into the rough, woods and hazards. Setup and swing instruction MUST always be correct fundamentals, from lesson #1, with no compromising. Like the oil filter commercial says, 'Pay me now, or pay me later.'
5: One of the keys to your child golfer's continued development and improvement of their setup, swing and playing skills, is to know when their skill level has reached or passed your skill level to keep them moving forward and upward in their learning cycle. Another issue is if you are having teaching issues with them. That is your son or daughter and you are not, to say it politely, hitting it off as teacher and student. It is a basic fact of life that it is difficult to teach family, so you have to know when to let go. When you reach these points and your junior is eager to continue learning, then it is time to hand them over to a PGA Professional.
The final point of all this golf instruction is that the junior golfer has to want it, and is willing to work on it. The Worst thing to do is force them to do something they do not want to do, or force them to do more than they want and are willing to do. You have to keep golf enjoyable and fun. Let them set the pace and the level of instruction and practice they want to do and feel comfortable with based on their desires and goals'¦NOT YOURS. You can add guidance and some prodding, but DO NOT FORCE THEM.
My motto to parents for their juniors is a simple one and it worked for me and D.J. 'Provide the opportunity. Nourish and guide it with love and direction, with enthusiasm and encouragement. And, oh yes, the MONEY.' But never, ever FORCE it on them, as this is the number one way to drive them away.
These tips for getting your children or grandchildren started in golf are basic and I hope answers some questions you may have and gives you guidance on how and what to do. Most importantly, I hope it gets you going to get them started, and started correctly, with the right clubs and instruction.
These tips are a good formula for starting teenagers and, for that matter, people of any age, to introduce them to golf. You may want to introduce them to a PGA Professional for instruction much sooner than you would a child taking up the game.
Surgism: Families that play golf together'¦Stay together.
The Surge!