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