Children Learning to Play Golf

There are two schools of thought on children learning to play golf. One is that kids should be encouraged to play other sports like baseball, football and basketball at an early age and not golf. Those sports demand a lot of running, jumping and athleticism and children burn a lot of energy while playing them. Golf demands patience and discipline, two things that most children don't have in abundant supply. However, there's another school of thought that says golf is very good for children because it teaches them to think and plan ahead. The latter theory has gained quite a bit of backing in the past 20 years and it is the one that Tiger Woods' father bought into when his son was just 2 years old.

Considerations

Start off by swinging the club in the back yard with your child. See if he has any interest or aptitude in golf. If your 5-year-old is sitting down in the living room with you when you watch a golf tournament on television, he probably has an interest. If the golf swing gets the ball in the air and it flies straight, there is probably a decent level of talent. If you determine that your child likes the game and has the ability to learn it, take him to the driving range and let him hit golf balls.

Equipment

You need to get or have access to equipment that is the proper size. Children usually play their first rounds at par 3 golf courses or "pitch and putt" courses. These courses may or may not have equipment that is the proper size. You can purchase golf clubs for children at most sporting goods stores and golf specialty stores.

Time frame

Even children who are truly interested in the game have a hard time paying attention to it for more than two hours. If you have a child under the age of 6, don't expect her to keep her mind on the game for any longer than that. If the child has reached the age of 8, the limit goes up to three hours. Golf is a great learning experience and there is something to teach your child on nearly every shot. If you find him shutting down and you have already been playing for two hours, stop playing right then and there and don't force the action.

Benefits

Golf can help a young child get a real feeling of accomplishment and also teach him to think ahead. When a young player hits a ball in the air and it goes straight, he feels good about himself and he thinks he has accomplished something. The same holds true when he sinks a putt of 4 feet or more. Once a young golfer has played two or three holes, he realizes the structure of the game. Tee shot, fairway shot, pitch shot and a putt or two. He will start to plan in his mind how to negotiate the hole and this will give him a lesson that he can apply to other areas of life.

Warning

Even if your young child loves the game, don't let him play more than twice a week. Golf tends to be an obsessive activity for adults and there is no place for children who are addicted to the pull of golf. Encourage him to play other sports, to read and to do other social activities. A well-rounded young golfer become a much happier golfer.