8 Year Daughter's Path To Golf

[ks8829]

My 8 year old daughter has been involved with golf through the First Tee program in San Francisco and has taken 4 to 5 group lessons and is showing signs of interests in golf.

What do you recommend we do to help her along with golf and lessons?

[rjfan91]

I don't think I'm in a position to give you advice. You are already far more successful that I was with my son... However, I'm still holding out hope for my daughter.

[tim31x]

the best thing to do to keep a kid's interest is do what my dad did with me. take your daughter out to the range or golfing with you alot, she will get better and better and eventually she will start enjoying the game much more. plus, what's better than spending quality time with your kids at something both of you can enjoy?

[OHgolfnut]

That's wonderful! I'm actually watching some show on the Golf Channel right now about the First Tee program. Some of those kids are truly amazing. Not just their golfing ability but the way that they approach life as well.

As far as lessons, I wouldn't "force" anything on her. Just let her choose everything on her own. I think that group lessons are good for kids because they get to spend time with kids around their own age, etc., and it's more fun to them. However, personal lessons offer 1-on-1 instruction and therefore could offer her what she needs.

I wish her, you guys, the best!

[Jay-Bird]

Tell her how proud you will be when she is able to beat you.

[Ben]

  ks8829 said:

My 8 year old daughter has been involved with golf through the First Tee program in San Francisco and has taken 4 to 5 group lessons and is showing signs of interests in golf.

If you want colleges to notice her I suggest the

AJGA . We had a prodigy at our club in the AJGA and was getting approached when he was 14.

[iPutt]

  Ben said:

If you want colleges to notice her I suggest the

Don't you think that's a little bit much for an 8 year old? As a kid (I still consider myself a kid at 17 hahaha) I can say that if I was that young and I was being put under pressure by scouts and parents like that I would fold under the pressure and maybe hang up the clubs. As an 8 year old I would just keep her around the game and make her own decisions. Make golf into an almost "subliminal" message.

[ks8829]

I know of 14 year old twin sisters who were competing at golf tournaments both go financial assistance to go to private school because of their golfing skills.

I also know of an 8 year old boy who has been competing in golf tournaments and already a veteran.

[Fourputt]

  ks8829 said:

My 8 year old daughter has been involved with golf through the First Tee program in San Francisco and has taken 4 to 5 group lessons and is showing signs of interests in golf.

Just keep her in junior programs where she can have fun with kids her own age. I wouldn't try to get her into competitive golf unless she suggests it. Let her know what is available in your area and discuss the possibilities with her. If she wants to learn more, get her more professional lessons. IMO, just like the recommendations against trying to teach your wife, I don't try to teach your daughter. Don't berate her when she does something wrong, but praise her when she does it right. Offer her encouragement without overdoing it. Kids can pick up on a phony. Take her out to short courses where she can have fun without having to hit the ball 900 times to get around.

More than anything try to keep it fun, because when a game isn't fun any more, kids will gravitate to something that is.

[kd1]

When my son was 7 i let him hit old balls i would find around the course in a pond just told him to try to make them splash. Now after 5 yrs of motocross he is back to playing golf

[907golfer12]

My best advice would be to let her know that if she ever wants to go practice with you, hit balls, chip, putt, and so on, to let you know. Don't make her go play or practice. Just tell her if she wants to that's great, and if not that's okay too. If she really wants to play then she will ask you to go all the time.

I think that is one of the reasons that I am into golf so much now. My mom asked me if I wanted to go to a golf camp at a local course, and I said sure, and 2 weeks later I had the bug.

Also when ever you play or practice with her keep it positive and fun. Never say negative things, always comment on the good things she is doing. If she hits a wicked slice, don't mention that, just say "look how far that went," or "look how long that stayed in the air."

Also, make little games with her, if she makes 5 putts in a row from 3 feet you will buy her candy, or something small that she wants. One thing that might work if she doesn't have clubs yet is to make little games, and make each worth X amount of points depending on the difficulty. Keep a chart, or at least track how many points she gets, and then say if you get 50 points then we will go and buy you any putter that you want. And so on, with her gradually getting more clubs, until she gets a full set. It will improve her game, get her clubs, keep her interested, and best of all, it will be fun for her.

I hope this helps, and good luck.

[ks8829]

  907golfer12 said:

My best advice would be to let her know that if she ever wants to go practice with you, hit balls, chip, putt, and so on, to let you know. Don't make her go play or practice. Just tell her if she wants to that's great, and if not that's okay too. If she really wants to play then she will ask you to go all the time.

Thanks for taking the time with your great suggestions and continued success in your golfing career.

[Parker0065]

We are very fortunate to have a local pro that has a gift of teaching golf to children and he does a fantastic job with kids.

If your daughter loves golf I would research your area to find the best pro you can for juniors. Some instructors just have a gift with kids and the results will be astounding.

Good Luck!!!