Every sportsman or sportswoman peaks, so the importance of sporting a talent early in their life is not missed by folks in the business of golf. Acquainting children to the delights of golf does not need to any other reason than engaging them in something fun. If you are a golfer yourself, you will not have much trouble getting them to see the allure of the game.
Golf is an intensely fun game with lot of technicalities. Teaching kids golf will help their coordination, estimating abilities and give them a dynamic hold on Physics. Besides, it will give you a valid reason to frequent the golf course. Market has already caught on to this scent with junior golf apparatus and teaching aids flooding them.
1. Teach them the spirit of golf
Golf is the nobility amongst sports. There’s a certain propriety that most golfers follow that make you feel elite to be playing it. Before you take your kid to the golf course, explain to them why etiquette and courtesy are the essence of this game.
Tell them stories and anecdotes from your own experiences of the lady-like and gentlemanly behavior on the course. Elaborate why you should always clean up after yourself or why you should think about the trailing team. These ideals come in handy, not only at the golf course but also in life. A golfer is more likely to grow up to be a fine and tolerant adult.
2. The serendipity of golf
Golf is about getting the figures right as is evident from the myriad statistics shown by GPS devices. It’s easy to lose yourself in the technicalities of the game. But remember that kids play for fun. So make sure that their game of golf is more about pleasure than numbers. Do not try to overwhelm them with your passion. Rather, stoke the embers of fascination that your child may have towards the game. Moderation is the key. Get them interested in more activities so that they discover their inclination for golf themselves.
3. Don’t force your method
While teaching kids golf, you might inadvertently be pushing them to ape your playbook. It’s key for the kid golfer to unearth their own methods. You can correct them if they are defying rules. But they might find a more efficient way of conquering the game. So gently shape their creativity and skills rather than putting them through the gridiron of your own experience.
4. Start with a bigger ball
Golf balls pack a lot of tricks. But make sure you start with a bigger ball while teaching kids golf. Otherwise the young one will end up digging a lot of dirt from the golf course without hitting the golf ball even once. My PGA Golf Coach channel on YouTube explains a fun way of teaching children golf. His sphere of choice is a water balloon. The tiny tots get a kick out of hitting the water balloon and they find the bigger target with the club-heads easily.
5. Stance and swing mechanics
Once you start swinging, you get accustomed to that posture and modus operandi of swinging. So teach your child to hold the right stance: feet apart the distance of breadth of shoulders, straight arms, correct grip and slight lean from the waist. Get the kids used to the proper way of swinging the golf club. Read tips for correct golf swing explained step by step at How to clean the golf swing. Be patient with the junior students. They are not likely to pick up all the details in a flash.
6. Start putting
Putting is the easiest and most crucial part of golf. Teaching the kids to start here brings them a sense of accomplishment because it’s a simple action that completes the game. Start with shorter distances and increase the distance as they get more proficient at making that stroke.
7. Compliment them
We are all kids inside and we yearn for compliments. When they come from an adult, they are a confirmation of how well you are learning. Teaching kids golf should be sprinkled with such encouraging remarks when they earn it. This will cement their faith in their abilities.
8. Speak their language
Swingweight, and loft are terms which might not elicit any response from your kids. They might lose interest fast if you explain things in your adult golf jargon. Teaching kids golf requires you to talk at their level. Instead of explaining the center of gravity, ask the kid how the golf club feels in their hands.
9. Learn to enjoy with the kids
Teaching kids golf is an opportunity to indulge in your own childhood. Don’t consider any task to be below yourself. Take pride and joy in the simple things even if you have to repetitively plunge the tee in the course. It’s cardinal that you have fun to or else, your consternation will affect the child’s confidence adversely.
10. Look for lean timings of the golf course
Try to book the course at an hour when the golf course does not see a lot of adults. This way junior and you won’t be holding up anybody else’s game. And you will get enough time to teach them all the genius moves
Last updated on September 27th, 2018 at 03:28 am
Hey Dominic,
This is a very well written post. Everything is very concise and clear. Thanks for sharing. Kids are very sensitive and hence it is important to keep your clam when golf training. I am going to recommend few of these right away to my son and I am sure these tips will definitely improve his golf game.
PS. I am going to share this post with my golfing friends.