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