| n be great fun introducing a child to golf, and the | | | | All the game-improvement technologies that work |
| fun can last a lifetime. Getting off to the right | | | | for adults work for young people starting out |
| start and making it fun is important. Providing the | | | | even more so. Think big, oversize, offset heads. |
| youngster with age and size appropriate | | | | Graphite shafts are a must. Hybrids are easier to |
| equipment is a big help in that regard. Here are a | | | | hit than long irons. The lighter the club, the easier |
| few simple principles to guide your purchase of | | | | to swing and the easier it is to learn. Shafts should |
| that first set. | | | | have lots of flex. Grips should be thin. If the club |
| The child's height dictates the shaft length. There | | | | feels like a baseball bat, the child will struggle. The |
| are a range of age-appropriate sets on the | | | | game is tough enough. |
| market, from kids' golf clubs, to junior sets, to | | | | Buying a major brand endorsed by the pros for a |
| teen golf sets up to adult. Since all kids grow at | | | | beginning child is frankly a waste of money. The |
| different rates, let the child's height rather than | | | | quality of the clubs from the budget |
| age dictate the club length. Thankfully, that's how | | | | manufactures is quite good. There are some fine |
| most manufacturers market their junior sets. | | | | sets available that provide a full complement of |
| Online vendors, such as Linksman Golf, have size | | | | clubs, light weight bag and a few balls and tees -- |
| charts to match the child's height with the right | | | | everything to get your child started -- and it |
| starter set. | | | | shouldn't set you back much more than the price |
| It's OK for a child to choke up an inch or so, | | | | of a round of golf or two. |
| enabling you to get more than one year's use of | | | | If your youngster has been playing for a few |
| the clubs. Choking up two inches or more will lead | | | | years and advancing smartly in skill, there are |
| to flawed swing mechanics. The game is tough | | | | more sophisticated junior golf clubs available to |
| enough. | | | | match his or her abilities with more precise |
| A common approach in the past was to take an | | | | lengths, heavier weights and higher performance. |
| old set, cut the shafts down to size, and turn the | | | | Let's not forget that the most important part of |
| kid loose. But a cut shaft is too stiff for a | | | | the game is the social aspect, having fun with |
| youngster. The grip will be too big and the club | | | | friends. Many courses offer youth golf clinics |
| head will be too heavy. The result will be a flawed | | | | where kids can learn the game while making new |
| swing, low shots and a youngster learning the | | | | friends. Call the courses in your area. The staff will |
| game with more frustration than we want. The | | | | me more than happy to steer you in the right |
| game is tough enough. | | | | direction. |