Daughter (11) interested in trying golf... advice please!

WHIP IT!

Lads/Lassies

My daughter (12, this June) is interested in giving golf a try. Needless to say, this is an interest that could last no longer than her first visit to a driving range but, fingers crossed, she takes a liking to the great oul game.

Anyway, I am a member of Grange Castle and I plan to sign her up as a Junior Member. It's very inexpensive at GC and gives her access to the practice facilities and free green fees on the seven-hole course. It's near where we live etc and, if she doesn't take to the game, it's very little money wasted, as such.

So that's that sorted...

My query is, I am a career mid-handicapper who struggles with his golf game as much as every career mid-handicapper does... so I'm wary of her having me as a coach! (God love her...)...

Is it best to just give them one or two tips and then let them find their own way round the course etc... maybe in a couple of years if she takes a shine to the game get her some lessons??

Any other parents here care to share their experiences?

The Junior Membership at GC is great because it's so cheap etc, but I don't know if they do a whole lot in regard to group lessons with the kids etc? She has a friend who's a Jnr Member at a nearby course so that's what peaked her interest. Hopefully the two of em will keep each other interested.

All other advice most welcome!

Thanks in advance!

Anatom

Hi Whip It, believe it or not, I was having a similar conversation on this subject with herself last Sunday regarding our 6-yr old daughter. She has expressed an interest in learning the game and indeed has come out on the course with me for a couple of summer evening three-hole walk-arounds once or twice last year, taking the odd putt and generally liking the feel of the place...

I planned to bring her to our professional to ask his opinion before I do anything though, as she's very young, so I'd say you should talk to your own pro and get his advice first.

I'd love to know if there's a golf summer camp for kids of that age anywhere. Does anyone know?

WHIP IT!

Just to add a question, anybody know any good drills on the practice ground and putting green that will be fun for a young kid but also good practice as well?

I really don't wanna be one of those Dads who stands over her saying "No! You're doing it wrong!" (especially considering the fact that, on my best day, I'm an average golfer!)

So, the more fun she has the better...

Anatom

Good question...

WHIP IT! wrote: »

I really don't wanna be one of those Dads who stands over her saying "No! You're doing it wrong!" (especially considering the fact that, on my best day, I'm an average golfer!)..

Unfortunately, I think I'm doing that already!!!!!:)

WHIP IT!

Anatom wrote: »

Good question...



Unfortunately, I think I'm doing that already!!!!!:)

Stop, it's bad enough having to bite my tongue at her football matches - at least there's scores of other parents there shouting and hollering - but on a quiet golf course?! I'll have to be on my best behaviour... I mean, it's no use giving out to her cos her grip is slightly wrong then having her watch me shank one onto the bushes for the third time that day!

the lawman

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Stop, it's bad enough having to bite my tongue at her football matches - at least there's scores of other parents there shouting and hollering - but on a quiet golf course?! I'll have to be on my best behaviour... I mean, it's no use giving out to her cos her grip is slightly wrong then having her watch me shank one onto the bushes for the third time that day!

I know Celbridge range have a kids class with Michelle (my coach) and its always well attended as far as I can see. Worth a phone call I reckon.

I'd recommend Michelle a very good coach and is helping me a lot.

Best of luck with it and let us know how you both get on (my daughter is only two but loves nothing more than pulling my bag apart and throwing golf balls down the stairs!!)

BillyBoy

Have a look at the below. I have been asked to help out on our junior comittee this year and found out that the GUI have guidelines on how they think coaching juniors should be approached. Can't find much on it bar the below though! I would also say if you can find a local pro who is good with kids it would be worth taking her to see him/her to get the basics.

If you could get some of her friends interested as well it may help. My sister is 15 now and although she showed she had a knack for the game, she preferred going out with her friends than playing (my club is struggling with younger girls coming through, so the junior section is fairly male dominated, which makes it even harder to convince her to come up!)

http://www.gui.ie/uploads/docs/4402_A5%20Junior%20Golf%20Book%20Web.pdf

Hope this helps!
Bill

link_2007

Just dont turn into this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2x_DI7tzNQ

Kace

Anatom wrote: »

Hi Whip It, believe it or not, I was having a similar conversation on this subject with herself last Sunday regarding our 6-yr old daughter. She has expressed an interest in learning the game and indeed has come out on the course with me for a couple of summer evening three-hole walk-arounds once or twice last year, taking the odd putt and generally liking the feel of the place...

I planned to bring her to our professional to ask his opinion before I do anything though, as she's very young, so I'd say you should talk to your own pro and get his advice first.

I'd love to know if there's a golf summer camp for kids of that age anywhere. Does anyone know?

Wow that's young - how did you manage to get a 6 year old out on a golf course - obviously no grumps around telling you that there's no insurance for this age group etc. etc.

Anatom

Kace wrote: »

Wow that's young - how did you manage to get a 6 year old out on a golf course - obviously no grumps around telling you that there's no insurance for this age group etc. etc.

Ha!! Chocolate and orange juice!!

No, she came out on one or two Sunday evenings, long after the end of any competition! She loves holding the flag, taking a putt or two, running after butterflies, falling into bunkers... the usual stuff...:)

During the summer you'll see a lot of dads walking around with a few kids on summer evenings, just getting in a bit of practice and enjoying the facilities that membership of a club brings to only the truly deserving...

dvemail

As you said already, just don't push her to play. If she has an interest in the meantime, great let her play but that interest may go very quickly, just like mine did when i started at her age.

The best way for her to enjoy her golf would be to play with any of her friends (i know that may be difficult as it may be rare for her friends to play) or to play with other junior members her own age.
Best way to keep somebody interested in a new sport especially one like golf is to have good company while you are hacking it about the course.

curly from cork

Well worth her learning correctly from day 1. I wish I did. Most driving ranges will have kids classes where she could meet up with others her age. Encourage all the way, sadly the girls usually drop off, other interests come along like boys and make up ! However anything a pro will teach her may well stand to her for a few years so that if she does drop out she will have the correct basics.

soundsham

If you do nothing else get her a lesson day 1 or 2 to show her the correct grip

Ben1977

Try a couple of rounds of Pitch and Putt. Don't give here any instruction from the start. Let her come to you for advice.
You can try a couple of games with hula hoops, getting her to chip them into the hoops from different distances.
Start her with short distances, remember its ment to be fun and what better than holing a few putts or chips. She'll be smiling from ear to ear.

what2do

BillyBoy wrote: »

If you could get some of her friends interested as well it may help. My sister is 15 now and although she showed she had a knack for the game, she preferred going out with her friends than playing (my club is struggling with younger girls coming through, so the junior section is fairly male dominated, which makes it even harder to convince her to come up!)

http://www.gui.ie/uploads/docs/4402_A5%20Junior%20Golf%20Book%20Web.pdf

Hope this helps!
Bill

This is the big issue... girls tend to drop out whereas the boys seem to make friends and stick at it. I think it is important to find a club that encourages them to play and provides regular 9 hole comps for when they are young as 18 holes can be a lot for youngsters. It is also good to see mixed competitions to encourage a junior ethos as opposed to seperate boys and girls ones.