| Your kids are getting to the age that they would | | | | Once your child decides that they do want to play |
| like to start to play golf and you are wondering | | | | golf here are some steps to take to get them |
| when to start them in a junior golf instruction | | | | started and to keep the game fun for them:o |
| program. Knowing when to start and how to find | | | | Begin with a real junior set of clubs. Many people |
| the right junior golf instruction program for child | | | | think that by making a club shorter it will fit a |
| are crucial components to building an environment | | | | junior golfer. This is NOT true. The weight would |
| for your child to enjoy and succeed in the game | | | | still be too heavy for children. The |
| of golf. | | | | recommendation I would make is to purchase |
| Begin by asking yourself, not your junior, some | | | | from La Jolla Golf or LJC. They specially weight |
| questions about what your motivation might be | | | | their junior golf clubs depending on the size of |
| for getting their junior golf instruction. Four | | | | your child. In addition, you do not need to buy a |
| reasons that parents want junior golf instruction | | | | whole set, you can purchase these clubs one at a |
| for their young child (under eleven) typically are:o | | | | time.o Find a qualified junior golf instructor. You |
| Because of golf's reputation for rules, fair play and | | | | can contact your local PGA Section either by |
| self-policing, the parents have a genuine interest in | | | | phone or online. If a Certified PGA Professional is |
| seeing their children attempt to play the game.o A | | | | available in your area, he or she would be a good |
| babysitting service, parents get a time out from | | | | place to start.o Make sure that your junior golf |
| their kids for a while.o Parents want to spend | | | | instruction includes sessions on the rules of golf as |
| more time with their child and have decided that | | | | well as golf etiquette. Depending on their age, the |
| golf will be the vehicle to do this.o As so many | | | | rules and etiquette situations do not need to be |
| do, parents feel that their children must be in as | | | | deep in the heart of the rule book. It has always |
| many activities as possible. | | | | amazed me on what a child at any age can retain |
| Whatever your reasons are for wanting your child | | | | when they want to learn.o Your junior does not |
| to begin to play the game of golf, the important | | | | have to play a "real golf hole" to have fun. Make |
| thing is to ensure the kids have fun and enjoy | | | | the putting green the goal. This is a good way for |
| themselves. Golf is a great game that can teach | | | | the younger junior golfers to get started and as it |
| your child many life skills and is a game they can | | | | reads only count the shots that it takes to get to |
| play the rest of their life. | | | | the green to determine a score.o The hole does |
| The most important thing to do is ask your child | | | | not need to be the end of the hole. What does |
| if playing golf is something that they would like to | | | | this mean? Some smaller juniors find it more fun |
| do. If the answer is no, do not push them to play. | | | | to hit it into a bunker than onto a green. This may |
| You do need to make sure that they understand | | | | seem counter-intuitive to many golf purists |
| the option is always open for them to play. It | | | | however, once you think about it, typically the |
| make take you asking multiple times and giving | | | | bunkers are smaller than the putting greens. This |
| them the information they need to feel | | | | can only make them better later. In addition, they |
| comfortable to begin a junior golf instruction | | | | LOVE to climb into the bunkers and this gives us |
| program. | | | | a chance to teach bunker etiquette. |