Too often, parents think that kids who aren’t swinging at golf balls or paying attention to ‘formal’ golf instruction just aren’t interested in the game of golf. I completely disagree.
Before ’formal’ instruction can begin, parents have to sell their kids on the ‘Golden Rule’ of golf: GOLF = FUN!!!
Sometimes, especially for kids under the age of 7, learning about the intricacies of the overlap grip or working on an early wrist hinge just isn’t their idea of a good time. I implore parents to watch for clues and search for ‘teachable moments’ while at the golf course, not pressure their kids or bore them with ‘formal’ instruction, and above all, turn the idea of going to the golf course into something they can’t wait to do again.
On a recent trip to the driving range, my 2 1/2 year old son couldn’t wait to hit golf balls…a feeling which passed after exactly 2 1/2 minutes. After teeing up about 10 balls and rifling them 10 yards down the range, he politely set his club down and wandered off to find something else that would satisfy his curiosity. Before long (and before he could wander into the path of other golfers on the range), I introduced him to the little green bucket filled with sand and grass seed mix which contained a tiny little shovel to disperse the mixture (2 1/2 year old + sand + shovel = FUN!). Rather than telling him to behave, stay out of the sand, and/or concentrate on his golf swing (after all, Daddy would really appreciate that college scholarship in 16 years!!!), I seized this moment to teach him some important things about golf. To an outsider, it may have appeared that my son was just goofing around and playing in the sand. Instead:
1) I demonstrated that when Daddy swung the club, he made a hole in the ground called a ‘Divot’. (my son has a new favorite word, plus an understanding of how to make the golf ball go up in the air)
2) He now knows that golfers have to fill their divots after every swing with sand. It’s called ettiquette (another cool word for a 2 1/2 year old to pronounce, plus a very important life lesson). He also knows that in a couple of days, new grass will grow (science lesson). My son enthusiastically and quietly filled about 150 divots in the next 20 minutes while I finished up my practice session (all the while repeating “Grip, Stance, Back, Through, Hold” while I swung…this is the extent of my ‘formal’ instruction to my son at this point. When he’s ready to swing a club, he eagerly follows those 5 commands). Because he’s filled so many divots, he’s already conditioned at age 2 1/2 to take care of the course better than many adults.
3) As we were packing up to leave, I asked him if he had fun at the golf course. He responded ” Yes, Daddy, I love Golf.” Mission accomplished…and he only hit about 10 golf balls.
Next time you’re at the course with your kids, follow their lead and teach them things about golf that you take for granted…not just about the golf swing. Rules, ettiquette, terminology…and above all…GOLF = FUN!
