ShareThisBy RICK MARTINO
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Golf is truly the game for a lifetime and a perfect way for families to spend time together. However, it's important to remember that golf can be an intimidating and sometimes frustrating sport for youngsters.
As PGA Professionals well know, there may not be one right way for youths to learn to play and love the game, but there are plenty of things adults can do wrong _ all the best intentions notwithstanding _ that can dampen a child's enthusiasm.
If there is one simple rule when it comes to helping youngsters get started, it is important to remember that golf is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
As you introduce a child to golf, the best guideline is to follow his or her lead. Let children tell you what they want to do and when they are ready to call it a day. Some kids will prefer to hit balls for a while and then head for the swimming pool or soccer practice. Others will want to start at the course at the crack of dawn and play until the last light of day. Neither approach is right or wrong.
One suggestion is to invite your child to join you for a few holes. If they want to try a few putts or hit a couple of shots, great. If, in the beginning, they want to just enjoy spending some time with you, that's great, too. When you get older, and your children are grown, it's simple times like these that you'll treasure.
It's also important to let your child set his or her own goals.
If you set arbitrary goals, they may be too ambitious and will only frustrate the child. No matter what goals a child sets, the key is for an adult to be encouraging and supportive.
A great example of this comes from a story about the late President John F. Kennedy.
After his first televised debate with then Vice President Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential election, Kennedy received a congratulatory phone call from his powerful and influential father, Joe. After hanging up, Kennedy said to a friend: "You know, if I had fallen flat on my face, Dad would have called and said, 'Jack, that was the greatest fall in history. I'm proud of you.'"
The lesson here is that it is important to remember that your kids look up to you and will follow your example. It's no accident that the parent who sits in the stands screaming at the umpires, coaches, his or her child, or even other players will probably be the parent with a child who does the same thing.
With that in mind, it's important not only to keep your temper in check, but also to teach your child early on about etiquette and the rules of the game. This is especially important when children begin playing golf by themselves or with friends and will be held accountable for their actions _ and playing privileges _ by adults.
_ Make an Investment in Both Lessons and Equipment
It's certainly true that some of golf's greatest champions were self-taught. Lee Trevino is probably the best example. And it's also true that some fantastic players had fairly rudimentary equipment when they started out, such as the great Tiger Woods.
Yet, the odds of success are greatly improved if you get a child started properly by learning fundamentals from a pro, either through individual or group lessons.
The simple fact is that without a grounding in the proper fundamentals, the game will be infinitely harder _ and more frustrating _ for your child to learn.
Take it from the legendary Arnold Palmer...
"My father was the PGA Professional at Latrobe (Pa.) Country Club, and the one thing he stressed to me over and over was the importance of a good grip," Palmer has frequently said. "He was constantly checking to see how I had my hands placed on the club. He knew that everything stemmed from how you grip the club."
Even if you are an accomplished player, it's best to have your children take lessons from a trained professional, not only because they understand the game inside and out, but because a pro has the experience, time and patience to work with a child. Also, there will be less pressure to please and succeed as there often is when a child works with a parent.
That's just human nature.
Meanwhile, today's golf equipment manufacturers have developed clubs specifically designed for children. The heads are lighter, the shafts are more flexible, and the grips are thinner, so small hands can fit properly on the club.
Not only do these clubs make the game easier for a child, but they also give him or her the sense of ownership that comes with having your own clubs instead of mom's or dad's castoffs. As the child grows bigger and stronger, it is easier to provide equipment that fits properly.
Bear in mind that a junior set doesn't have to include 14 clubs. Usually, for a child just starting out, a fairway wood, 3-, 5-, 7- and 9-irons, as well as a sand wedge (that's not too heavy) and a putter will get the job done.
That said, how does a parent know when it's time for additional equipment? The answer is that the child will let you know, not necessarily by asking _ although they undoubtedly will _ but by their enthusiasm.
And notice it is enthusiasm and not scores. If a child clearly is smitten by the game and your PGA Professional believes it's time to complete the set, then by all means do it. However, to hold out a few additional clubs as a reward for a lower score, or some other subjective standard, may be counterproductive.
Remember that in golf, very often the journey is more important _ and ultimately more rewarding _ than the goal itself.
