| One of the keys to the success of Tiger Woods | | | | face. Ask yourself if you think the sport |
| as a golfer is that growing up his father | | | | seems to be challenging and enjoyable to your |
| knew the system of golf and generously guided | | | | kid? If yes, the real fun has surely begun. |
| him through it. Now, if you have children and | | | | |
| are thinking of introducing them to golf, you | | | | To ensure that their kids learn the basics of |
| must be asking yourself: Where should I | | | | golf properly, parents are usually advised to |
| start? Who should I call? Should I purchase | | | | hook their children up with a golf instructor |
| junior clubs or get a used set of adult ones | | | | during the early stages of picking up the |
| that have been cut down to size? | | | | sport. If you're having a hard time locating |
| | | | a good instructor, the local club pro should |
| Don't get ahead of yourself! Relax! | | | | be able to provide you with a list of |
| | | | instructors in your area. If possible, watch |
| Golf is not a pursuit that you can simply | | | | a potential instructor with other students |
| sign your kid up for at any leisure club. | | | | before signing up your kid. Observe whether |
| However, this sport is become increasingly | | | | or not the instructor gets along with the |
| popular, and chances are that there are golf | | | | other kids, and ask yourself if he would fit |
| programs and clinics going on in your area. | | | | in with your child's personality. Proper |
| You may want to contact a local club pro, the | | | | instruction will surely increase your child's |
| YMCA, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the | | | | confidence and decrease the frustration this |
| golf association in your area, and other | | | | mentally and physically challenging sport is |
| civic organizations. If you are from the | | | | sure to bring about. An instructor will also |
| United States , the National Minority Junior | | | | help you regarding the kind of equipment to |
| Golf Foundation, the United States Golf | | | | buy for your child. Experts believe that a |
| Association, the Professional Golf | | | | 7-iron, pitching wedge and a putter are all |
| Association, and the Ladies Professional Golf | | | | that is required for a beginner. At this |
| Association may also know how to help you. | | | | point, you can hold off on the golf shoes and |
| Some of these organizations are, in fact, | | | | the designer clothes; tennis shoes and play |
| specifically involved in programs to | | | | clothes will normally suffice! |
| introduce kids to golf. | | | | |
| | | | One disadvantage to being a junior golfer is |
| Junior golf clinics are normally free to | | | | that there are usually problems regarding a |
| join; they are designed to introduce your | | | | shortage of facilities. To ensure enough |
| child to the basics of golf, starting from | | | | practice (aside from the hours your child |
| how to grip a club, all the way to driving, | | | | spends with an instructor) you might want to |
| chipping, and putting. Emphasis is placed on | | | | ask the club pro whether there are any slow |
| the rules of the game and golf etiquette. | | | | times during the week that your child can |
| Clinics are also known to dole out golf | | | | slip on the course to play two to three |
| apparel, balls, and sometimes golf clubs to | | | | holes. Additionally, if there are par 3 |
| participants. What is more, your child may be | | | | courses in your area, you should think about |
| fortunate enough to receive instruction from | | | | sending your kid there. Keep in mind that the |
| a seasoned professional golfer in one of the | | | | more your kid plays, the more comfortable he/ |
| clinics! The Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf | | | | she will be with the game. And, once your |
| & Tennis Challenge junior clinic has | | | | child has learnt the basics and is practicing |
| featured Mark Nance, Kenny Simms, Todd Daniel | | | | regularly, the competitive juices will surely |
| and Maria Mills in the past. And their | | | | start to flow; that is when you should start |
| message is: Golf is for everyone. | | | | inquiring about junior golf tournaments being |
| | | | held in your area. |
| Of course before forcing your children into | | | | |
| playing the sport, you should take pains | | | | As you might have guessed, introducing your |
| finding out how they truly feel about golf. | | | | kids to golf is not as simple as it sounds. |
| After your child has been introduced to the | | | | Children need guidance and motivation, and if |
| game, you must make it a point to go to the | | | | your child really enjoys the sport, you |
| field and observe whether hitting a few balls | | | | should make sure you're there to give him/ |
| on the driving range brings a smile to his | | | | her that. Good luck! |