| A question we hear all of the time is "When should | | | | 4. As so many do, parents feel that their children |
| we start junior golf instruction for our junior golfer?" | | | | must be in as many activities as possible. |
| Obviously, there is no real answer. For example, you | | | | Again, whatever the reasons, the important thing is |
| have Tiger that started at the tender age of three | | | | to let the kids have fun, enjoy themselves and let |
| and other successful tour players started their junior | | | | them decide for themselves whether they want to |
| golf instruction much later. With many differing | | | | play the game of golf or not. |
| opinions are out there about when to begin junior | | | | Regardless of how brilliant parents think their child is, |
| golf instruction, you must remember that opinions are | | | | young children (under eleven) do not have the |
| like belly buttons and everyone has one! Hale Irwin | | | | attention spans. However, they do like to have fun |
| was once quoted as saying, "If a parent brings a | | | | and to some hitting balls is fun. As soon as you make |
| young child to a Pro and says I want him/her to be a | | | | it a chore by hovering over them with instructions, |
| Golf Professional, chances are they won't be." The | | | | they will not want to play the game anymore. Think |
| two most important part to the answer the question | | | | about it, would you? |
| of "When should we start golf lessons for our junior | | | | If you want your youngster to enjoy golf, then don't |
| golfer?" is that no matter what age your junior golfer | | | | force the action. If they want to hit balls, let them. If |
| is to make sure golf is something the junior golfer | | | | they want to pick golf balls up and throw them, as |
| wants to do and to keep it fun for them. | | | | long as they will not disturb anyone else, let them. If |
| First, you need to ask yourself some questions about | | | | they want to hit their ball into the bunker, let them. |
| what your motivation might be for getting junior golf | | | | When you think about it, a bunker is much smaller |
| instruction? Typically, there are four reasons that | | | | than the green and in theory, much harder to hit. |
| parents want junior golf instruction for their young | | | | Depending on their age, let them tee it up from 100 |
| child (under eleven): | | | | yards or 150 yards. Again, keep it a positive |
| 1. Because of golf's reputation for rules, fair play and | | | | experience and fun for the junior golfer. |
| self-policing, the parents have a genuine interest in | | | | If you do decide to take junior golf instruction the |
| seeing their children attempt to play the game. | | | | Golf Professional should concentrate mainly on short |
| 2. A babysitting service, parents get a time out from | | | | game, putting chipping etc. The Golf Professional |
| their kids for a while. | | | | should show you as well as your junior many |
| 3. Parents want to spend more time with their child | | | | different games that you can play to keep it fun. In |
| and have decided that golf will be the vehicle to do | | | | the meantime, the games will instill solid fundamentals |
| this. | | | | which will help you and your junior to improve! |