The Best Way to Teach Kids Golf
Scott Kmiec, Executive Director of the New Jersey Section of PGA America, says that many people view golf as a cost-prohibitive sport, indicating that you must have a lot of money to play successfully. People are also driven from the sport by the long rounds and extensive time needed to complete a golf game. However, introducing people to the fun and athletic achievement that comes from playing a successful round of golf can help to expand the game. Teaching children to play can be an effective way of engaging interest in the sport.
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Instructions
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Allow kids to have a say in what they learn and how they learn it. According to Golf Digest, kids can easily become frustrated or bored with the technical aspects of the game; kids just want to play. When first learning the game, let the kids decide how they want to play.
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Limit instruction time each day. While golf rounds are long and arduous, children have short attention spans. Golf Digest suggests that lesson sessions be no more than 30 minutes long so that the child does not become bored or frustrated.
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Include fun activities in instruction time, even if it does not relate directly to golf. Let the child throw the balls into a bucket or draw pictures on his golf gloves. This will help him associate golf with fun, which will make him more eager to learn as time goes on.
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Communicate directly with the child in terms he understands. Crouch or kneel so that you can look at the child on his level, so that he does not feel as though he is in trouble or being chastised. Use easy-to-understand terminology so that he will feel like he really understands the game.
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Use visual techniques to help a child understand the game of golf. For example, if the child is having trouble with a grip, demonstrate it for him and use markers or paint to distinguish his fingers so that he understands what is needed.
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Remember safety at all times. Teach and demonstrate for the child the appropriate care of the equipment, the areas that are off-limits during play and other such safety tips. Children will not think of golf as a fun activity if they get hurt.
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Provide positive reinforcements at every turn. Celebrate with your child in his favorite way: high fives, jumping up and down or laughing. Follow his lead as to what will make him feel great about his accomplishments; the better he feels he is doing, the more he will want to learn. Avoid negative criticism, which can ruin a child's fun.
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Tips & Warnings
Some equipment, such as the Almost Golf Ball, is created to allow for variations on the game of golf for different areas and for better safety.
References
- Photo Credit Toddler practising golf on the driving range image by Vanessa van Rensburg from Fotolia.com
