Lucas Noah One of the primary benefits of golf is that it can be enjoyed by a broad age range. Even when you’re older and cannot walk an entire round, carting can help extend your longevity in the game. Thus, the earlier you introduce a child to golf, the more time they will get to enjoy playing the game — assuming you do so properly. Teaching your child to play and enjoy golf can be fun for you too with the following tips.
By the way, with an indoor golf simulator, you can practice together any time—day or night—regardless of the weather. Also, while we’re talking equipment, invest in a few child-sized clubs with which to get the youngsters started. You don’t need to get them a full bag all at once. Acquire the club they need for the skill they’re learning. That way, their bag will fill out as as they progress.
Start on the Putting Green
The full stroke required to drive a golf ball can be more difficult for a child to master than putting. Plus, they have a ready target at which to aim and a goal they can see on the putting green. All they have to do is make the ball go in the hole. Keeping it simple that way and expanding things out a little at a time allows them to experience success in an area before you move them into a more difficult aspect of the game.
They Have Time
As gratifying as it can be to see your child do well at something right away, it’s important to remember they’re just starting out and have years to develop their skills. Be patient and let them progress at their own pace. They’ll learn to love the game all the more if you take that approach.
Develop a Routine
Consistency pays off in accomplishments over time. Once you make up your mind to teach your child to play, be consistent. Taking them only every so often is a recipe for frustration. Now, with that said, there’s no need to go out on a daily basis, but you should establish a weekly schedule so they can look forward to going, and look forward to going with you. A huge part of this process is the bonding opportunity it provides.
Avoid Prime Times
Generally, weekday afternoons and late evenings tend to be slower than mornings. You should avoid weekends altogether. A busy course means you’ll feel pressure to keep your children moving, which could show in your actions toward them as they’re trying to learn.
The Operative Word is PLAY
In our zeal to see our children do well, we can sometimes become a bit overzealous. Moreover, because their natural instinct is to please us, the more we push them the more pressure they will feel. This can rob them of the joy of the game before they get started. For this reason, it is better to guide them instead of pushing them.
In other words, rather than imposing strict parameters on children when they’re starting out—such as focusing on the grip or how to hit the ball—let them just do what they want to do for a while so they can learn to like being on the course.
Be there to provide guidance when they ask for it. Show them the right way to do things first, but then let them noodle about a bit on their own. Do what they want to do at first, and then gradually introduce the disciplines.
Above all though, let them have fun.
Teaching your child to play and enjoy golf can be quite rewarding, both for you and your child. It will give you something you can do together for years. And, if you’re mindful of these tips, they’ll learn to love the game just as much as you do.