How early (what age) is too early to start?

[ERC7.5]

My Godson is 3 1/2 and I bought him a junior set of clubs for Easter. Is he too young to take to a course this year? I haven't even taken him outside with them yet. I was thinking that I should maybe just take him to a driving range or actually use his backyard for that and hold off on actual golfing for a year or 5. Any thoughts?

[JonnyRockets]

  ERC7.5 said:

My Godson is 3 1/2 and I bought him a junior set of clubs for Easter. Is he too young to take to a course this year? I haven't even taken him outside with them yet. I was thinking that I should maybe just take him to a driving range or actually use his backyard for that and hold off on actual golfing for a year or 5. Any thoughts?

I've heard of friends taking out their sons at this age or around the 4 year mark. They take a t shot . . . then they drive to the ball to pick it up - help you drive the cart . . . then put their ball back down on the green to putt when you get there.

1) keeps it fun for them 2) keeps things moving fast just incase there are golfers behind you. A par 3 course would probably be great for this . . . as your son wouldn't see you taking a couple to few shots to get to the green. You both have 1 shot - then you're putting! Keep us updated on your father son time and how it goes! Jon

[ERC7.5]

  JonnyRockets said:

I've heard of friends taking out their sons at this age or around the 4 year mark. They take a t shot . . . then they drive to the ball to pick it up - help you drive the cart . . . then put their ball back down on the green to putt when you get there.

Thanks for the ideas! That'll be great! This something that I have been looking forward to since he was born.

Thanks again!

[cbaileyau]

I have a 6mo. old. I scheduled him some lessons because his stance is wrong and he tends to slice it.

Seriously though, I can't wait to take him out to the course. Guess I got to get him standing first.

[BASHERBAKER69]

get him a plastic club and a ping pong ball to hit around the house!

Teach your son that it is a game to be enjoyed, not a game to have a fit or a nervous breakdown over..lol

I was at the range the other day and observed a father son party in two of the bays. Father was about 30, and Son was about 6 or 7.

discussion:

Father- 'don't do that, its wrong!'
Son- 'I can't help it!' (tears).

My advice is get him some lessons with a pro- don't try and teach unless you really know what you re doing.

[ERC7.5]

  cbaileyau said:

I have a 6mo. old. I scheduled him some lessons because his stance is wrong and he tends to slice it.

LOL

I think I've seen one of his threads on here...

[ERC7.5]

  DuvalsBestMate said:

get him a plastic club and a ping pong ball to hit around the house!

Did that at age one!

  DuvalsBestMate said:

Teach your son that it is a game to be enjoyed, not a game to have a fit or a nervous breakdown over..lol

That would definitley be lesson one and the last lesson I'd give him (or anyone else for that matter). I don't know what I'm doing and prefer to enjoy the game (not saying I don't have my fits but that's another discussion

). I'll let him determine if it's something that fits him, how far he wants to go with it and take it from there (lessons, clubs,etc...). Thanks!

[kregan]

I wish!

  JonnyRockets said:

You both have 1 shot - then you're putting!

[kregan]

Collin my son is 3-1/2. He went with me to the golf store and was hooked once I let him putt on the practice green with a little putter.

I bought a putter grip and one of the little 9 irons with the learning grip installed. Went home, cut down an old putter and made a hole to replace a heat vent on the floor.

He putts with a real ball and chips off the carpet with a foam ball.

I put a hole in the back yard and he is in love with it. He spends hours chipping around the back yard.

I brought him to the range and got a bucket of balls for him and he loved it. They also have a real practice green and he putted for 2 hours.

Right now I don't try to teach him anything besides the grip and have fun. He has a natural open stance when chipping and he putts that way also. I won't push him at all if he out grows it.

BTW, he loves Wii golf and tiger woods golf for the Wii and loves to watch golf on TV.

I can't wait to bring him to the course with me!

[ERC7.5]

Well....I played 9 today with him (the 3 1/2 yr old). He was really into it......for the first 3 holes. Then all he wanted to do was putt (actually roll the ball into the hole), watch me "hit it far" and "drive" the cart. He says he had fun and so did I. Was a nice day and we had lots of laughs. And I didn't play too bad considering. I shot 40 (was -1 through 4) with an OB penalty a couple of second shots that I should have gotten closer.

Overall....a very satisfying day.

[Long_Ball_Bogey]

  ERC7.5 said:

Well....I played 9 today with him (the 3 1/2 yr old). He was really into it......for the first 3 holes. Then all he wanted to do was putt (actually roll the ball into the hole), watch me "hit it far" and "drive" the cart. He says he had fun and so did I. Was a nice day and we had lots of laughs. And I didn't play too bad considering. I shot 40 (was -1 through 4) with an OB penalty a couple of second shots that I should have gotten closer.

Aww man, congrats on the great day!!! I take my 3-yr old and my 20-month old boys to the range with me 1-2 times a week. The youngest hangs out in his stroller mostly, but the oldest goes into the pro shop, asks for a "small bucket" and usually makes it to the range with about 10 balls left. He watches me hit a couple & then tees it up with his junior set. We all have a blast--I can't wait to take my oldest out onto the course. I bought them a dvd-"Sporty Baby Golf" that they absolutely love & it's perfect for that age group as an introduction to golf. You should check it out on Amazon. -LBB

[Bradenator]

I started really young myself, graduating to a "real" putter at three, and at 4 I graduated to the the most common mid-1970's version of "Junior" clubs, which was of course an uncle with a hacksaw and some mismatched clubs from a pawnshop.

I played what my godfather and dad called "monkey golf", so we all teed off, then drove by my ball, picked up, and dropped next to my dad. Basically, a scramble format, except it was rare that I got to keep my shot. Once on or around the green, I was on my own, and didn't get gimmes, but didn't want them either. Loved holing it out, no matter how short.

I got to play just as much as the grownups, wasn't holding up anyone's play, and remember these times with very fond memories. I remember as I got a bit older, more and more of my approach shots counted as my own. Once I was able to hit 150 yards off the tee, Dad cut me loose, and I got to play my own game.

Younger the better, I think...as long as you keep it fun, and keep it simple. Kills me to see the occasional dad on the range lecturing his 7 year old about swing planes and such. They have the rest of their lives to over-analyze their own games...

[AceDunk]

One of the ways I learned to play was with my dad and grandfather on a short par 3 course. There were six holes and they were all 100 yards or less so it was perfect for kids. If I remember correctly I was only around 5 when I started playing on this course. If there is something like that near you I'd really recommend it. Another good idea would be to have him tee off on each hole from 150 yards. I did this for a while when I was little too and really enjoyed it.

[QWKDTSN]

I was practicing some putting today and a guy showed up with his young son, let me put it this way, the kid was a toddler, barely old enough to walk. He had the tiniest clubs I've ever seen and they were up to his chest.

I thought the dad was being hard on him, "c'mon, you've gotta get serious, you've gotta hit harder than that, try harder, that's no good," and on and on... I really couldn't help but think that this kid is just the right age to really have some fun if you let him loose with a putter and some balls, but you can't push him - he doesn't even understand the concept of being serious about attaining a goal like making a putt in one shot, and trying to force that concept on him is definitely not going to have the right results.

[ERC7.5]

  Long_Ball_Bogey said:

Aww man, congrats on the great day!!! I take my 3-yr old and my 20-month old boys to the range with me 1-2 times a week. The youngest hangs out in his stroller mostly, but the oldest goes into the pro shop, asks for a "small bucket" and usually makes it to the range with about 10 balls left. He watches me hit a couple & then tees it up with his junior set. We all have a blast--I can't wait to take my oldest out onto the course.

Thank you! It was great (especially when he was cheering me on for "hitting it so far!"

!! It seemed that everyone that saw me out there with him were loving it too! Asking what his handicap is and stuff. I'll be looking into that dvd!

  Bradenator said:

I started really young myself, graduating to a "real" putter at three, and at 4 I graduated to the the most common mid-1970's version of "Junior" clubs, which was of course an uncle with a hacksaw and some mismatched clubs from a pawnshop.

I wish I would have thought of that....could have saved myself $80!

  Bradenator said:

I played what my godfather and dad called "monkey golf", so we all teed off, then drove by my ball, picked up, and dropped next to my dad. Basically, a scramble format, except it was rare that I got to keep my shot. Once on or around the green, I was on my own, and didn't get gimmes, but didn't want them either. Loved holing it out, no matter how short.

I guess what we played yesterday was "monkey golf" then.

He was a great caddie too! As soon as we got to the green, he walked right up to the flag and pulled it out of the cup and said "Ok Do" (that's what he calls me) "Put it in the hole and then I'll go". lol

  Bradenator said:

I got to play just as much as the grownups, wasn't holding up anyone's play, and remember these times with very fond memories. I remember as I got a bit older, more and more of my approach shots counted as my own. Once I was able to hit 150 yards off the tee, Dad cut me loose, and I got to play my own game.

That is really cool. We didn't hold anyone up....actually we played through 3 groups!

  Bradenator said:

Younger the better, I think...as long as you keep it fun, and keep it simple. Kills me to see the occasional dad on the range lecturing his 7 year old about swing planes and such. They have the rest of their lives to over-analyze their own games...

It will always be about having fun! If he wants to get serious with it...that's his call.

  AceDunk said:

One of the ways I learned to play was with my dad and grandfather on a short par 3 course. There were six holes and they were all 100 yards or less so it was perfect for kids. If I remember correctly I was only around 5 when I started playing on this course. If there is something like that near you I'd really recommend it. Another good idea would be to have him tee off on each hole from 150 yards. I did this for a while when I was little too and really enjoyed it.

Unfortunately there are no par 3 courses in the area (to my knowledge) but there are some shorter courses in the area. I like the idea of starting him with short distances and working back. All the while letting him knock the ball around while I wait to hit.

  QWKDTSN said:

I was practicing some putting today and a guy showed up with his young son, let me put it this way, the kid was a toddler, barely old enough to walk. He had the tiniest clubs I've ever seen and they were up to his chest.

That's a real shame and just ridiculous.

[Left Is Right]

I no some guy my age who has been golfing since he was 5, now hes 15 he is also the one man on varsity a bad day to him is a 37 on 9

Your kid is gonna be good but make sure he wants to do it and have fun and never be a stage mom(dad)

[Franco!]

  Left Is Right said:

I no some guy my age who has been golfing since he was 5, now hes 15 he is also the one man on varsity a bad day to him is a 37 on 9

I've been playing since I was 15.

I'm now 17. And I'm right around those scores. Shows you how much age really matters over talent and practice.

[Left Is Right]

yeah but around the time he starts to get competitive, he is already good