Why Do Kids Play Golf?

I have two daughters both of which have had a club in their hands since coming into this world.  However, I am not the dad that has the net set up in the basement and is making them hit hundreds of balls every night....yet.

My oldest daughter is finally getting to the age where I think her and I could go out and start having some "fun" playing some form of golf together.  For those of you wondering, she will turn 7 this summer.  I will probably play a couple holes from the regular tees, she will chip and putt on a couple holes, and we will regale to the snack bar afterwards for hot dogs and milkshakes. All in all, about an hour MAX.  Sounds great right?!  

But why does she want to play golf?  I can't imagine at the age of 6 1/2 she cares about how rewarding the game can be.  How good it feels to get up and down when you short-side yourself in a bunker. I don't think she's thinking about how great it will be to play collegiate golf,  be part of a team, travel the country, and ideally save my thousands in college tuition.  

The fact is, there is NO WAY a child her age or close to it can find the game any bit of fun if played in the manner it is supposed to be.  She will play because:

1. I asked her to (kids like to spend time with their parents).
2. She may get to ride in and possibly drive a golf cart.
3. There will be a treat afterwards.
4. She may see some animals on the course.
5. ...and this is the big one...I WILL MAKE SURE SHE HAS FUN..and she knows it!

Now I do have an unfair advantage as a golfing dad being a PGA Professional with a great amount of experience when it comes to introducing and teaching kids the game of golf, but that doesn't mean you can't have success too!  There are three things you need to focus on when introducing your kids to golf:

1. You don't always get to play.  

It's all about them.  When they are done, you are done.  You don't get to hit balls at the range or putts on the green.  They do.  Don't even bring your clubs.  Watch them hit. Praise the good ones and don't try to teach them on the bad ones. 

2. Get someone else to teach them the important stuff.  

You are constantly telling them to clean their room, finish their dinner, share their toys, and a whole host of other stuff.  If your kids don't listen to you intently when you tell them to do really important things...what makes you think they will listen to you about keeping their left arm straight or feet still?  Your job, from an instructional standpoint, is to encourage (not pressure) them.  That's it.  You are not Butch.  Stop trying to be.

3. They don't need to be the next Jordan Speith in order to enjoy the game.  

I think this is the tough part of golf and juniors.  A baseball team can win even if every kids isn't an All-Star. A football team can succeed without the biggest and strongest kids. A basketball team can have fun even if 5 out of 5 of the kids are pretty horrible. 

But in golf, it's all on you (or your kid).  Your goal as a parent is to monitor their ability and set them up for HUGE SUCCESS.  If they swing and miss more then they make contact, then make contact the game.  Who cares how far it goes.  If and when they make contact, go crazy!   When you celebrate a shot that flies knee high and only goes 10 feet...they will feel exactly like Jordan Speith when he stuffs it on a 200 yard par 3 and the fans go nuts. The moment you start over challenging them, the frustration will kick in and your day (and possibly future) of golf is done.  

Kids don't have a reason to play golf , but don't give them a reason not to.

JL