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There are many benefits to children choosing golf as a sport. It helps develop their core muscles and improves their hand-eye co-ordination. It also gets them out and about in the sunshine and can be a boon for mental health.
You may already live on a golf estate, which could be handy location wise. However, encouraging your young children to get into golf may be an entirely different matter altogether.
It can be a complex sport to learn, and things can get quite competitive. So how can you make sure it’s a positive experience from the start, particularly if you love the game and want to show your kids how much they could enjoy the sport too.
We spoke to some experts at golfsupport.com who offered some advice for parents who want to encourage their children to play golf, while making it fun at the same time.
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1. Make it a short game
Children aren’t renowned for their attention spans. So don’t feel you need to play beyond nine holes!
Jamie Boler of GolfSupport.com says: ‘The key to keeping your children entertained is to keep the game short. There’s nothing worse than dragging your children round the course for a five-hour stint when they were bored after two.
2. Get the right equipment
Clubs can be too long, stiff, or too heavy, which can contribute to putting children off the game.
‘You must make sure before starting a game that your child has the right club relative to their height and stamina, so they can maximise their swing to the best of their ability. If you’re unsure, visit your nearest golfing retailer and ask a member of staff in person what they would recommend for your child to use,’ Boler.
3. Get them into the swing
Learning how to swing a golf club is a very important part of the game and there’s lots of practice involved to get this right.
There’s lots you can do to take the pressure off.
‘When you introduce your child to golf, make sure to give them enough time to practice, perhaps taking them later in the evening or at a time when it’s not crowded. The last thing you want is to play and hold up groups behind you,’ says Boler.
Swinging won’t always come naturally to kids, and if you’re finding it difficult to teach this getting professional lessons would be key.
4. Make it fun and hold back on the criticism
We’d all like for our child to be the next Louis Oosthuizen or Charl Schwartzel, but this will hardly be possible if you dent their confidence early on.
There’s lots of things to master in golf from putting, to learning the difference between a sand wedge and a driver and a to perfecting the swing motion. While some kids may be naturals at the game, others will take longer to master it.
Boler recommends keeping the criticism low. He says: ‘As serious and prestigious golf may be to an adult, to a child, it’s just another sport to grasp. Your child wants to have fun and enjoy their time with you.
‘Even if your child hits an ‘okay’ shot, shout back at them ‘great shot’, or ‘great swing’, to encourage a continuation of play. The more you play as a parent with your children, the more honest you can be with their play.’
5. Keep it simple
Besides learning the game, the terminology can also be another complexity for a child. If they don’t know the difference between an Albatross and an Eagle, rather keep it simple.
Boler adds: ‘Children need to comprehend an idea before they can attempt it. As a parent or adult guiding a child around the course, you must learn to be patient as you explain to them in childlike terms how to play a game. Instead of using complicated terminology, switch it up to something they would understand, relative to their age.’
