May's Golf Tip
By By Kati Biszantz
May 30, 2006, 11:37
I am often asked what is the best age to get a child started in golf especially since Tiger Woods started watching his dad while still in his high chair. Through my experience in teaching hundreds of kids I have found the minimum age to be 5 years old. You really have to look at the maturity level of your child. I have seen some 5 year olds with the ability and composure of a 7 year old and others more like a 3 year old. If the child needs to have instructions constantly repeated or is a danger to himself or others, it is probably best to wait another year.
The key in all instruction is – less instruction. This is a game and it should be made fun for the child, not work. Have them learn by doing instead of endless mechanical thoughts. Find an instructor who specializes in getting kids started as many instructors will only work with better players or some only focus on adults. If and when you decide on an instructor, help your child by only reinforcing what has been taught. Do not add on what you think they need or what you might be working on yourself. An experienced instructor will have a plan for your child and will introduce various skills and concepts when the child is ready and in a structured manner. If you do not feel your instructor is doing this after several weeks, perhaps it is time to find another one.
KIS – keep it simple - the first thing I learned in training to be a Physical Education teacher in college, and it is never more important than with kids. Use a reward system when playing games to keep them motivated. I have an 8 year old now that I give a star to whenever he makes a birdie on the course. When he gets a certain number of stars he’ll get his choice of a new ball or candy from me. He is so good I worry I’ll run out of stars!
There are a lot of putting games to play – horseshoes (just like regular horseshoes with 3 points for a sink and 1 for closest to), monster putting (putt from all sorts of weird places off the green), fringes (use 5 balls, stand in the middle of the green and see how close you can get them to the fringe of the green - award points for closest), stones (have at least 10 pebbles or small objects for each player. Each player putts and players with most putts give those with least putts a pebble for each higher stroke. Player with most pebbles after 9 holes wins), etc, and a number of short game contests. At home, if you have a pool, get plastic balls and a small inner tube. Have your child try to pitch into the tube. At the range, put tees 2 club lengths in a semi-circle around the hole and see if he can get one ball out of 5 in. Then try 2 balls out of 5 and so on. Find a field with trees and let him hit over, under, and around the tree all the while focusing on the most important 2 fundamentals - starting in the correct address position and following through to a balanced finish. I put up field goals made of plastic pipe to hit through or a wading pool or umbrella to hit into. I personally have often wanted to put an old car in the middle of the driving range to aim at just to hear the clang when it hits. Use your imagination – the sky is the limit – and it’s fun for grown-ups, too.
Until they develop their skills have them play a Scramble on the course. In this manner they will keep up with the group and not get frustrated from miss hitting a lot of shots and can also learn the game, order of play, fast play, basic rules, and etiquette. Actually this is a great way for all Beginners to play.
Make golf a reward for them, show them the long-term benefits (eg: golf scholarship, pro tour, business contacts, exercise, family activity, retirement), and hope for the best.
Good Golfing.
Related Links