First trip with my daughter

[MarkM]

I took my six year old daughter Kylee out golfing for the first time on Saturday, and she had a blast! We hit the course for 9 holes in the late afternoon as I wanted to avoid the crowds. We ended up being the last group out so we had no one behind us and could take our time.

Kylee had a fun time riding around the cart and even tried driving it a little bit. She did ok hitting the ball and could get it out off the tee with her little 9 iron about 25-30 yards. We would then pick up her ball and then let her drop it and hit again out by my ball.

She was really curious about hitting it out of the sand and on the second hole she hit one into a greenside bunker on purpose to try hitting it out. I didn't notice that she went into the sand trap with her putter utell she was just getting set to swing, I told her "you can't hit it out with your putter you need your iron" she gave me a look that only an indipendant 6 year old can give and said "I can hit it out with a putter" she then blasted it out of the sand with it. She turned to me "see Dad I told you so".

She had fun putting as well and even drained one at about 8 feet. She got bored though after about 5 holes and had more fun throwing rocks into the water hazards. I didn't push her to keep playing though and just let her do things at her own pace. We did go over some rules about proper golf etticate and some simple rules. We stopped and celibrated with a happy meal on the way home.

All in all one of my best times on a golf course. I wish I would have remembered the camera and got some photos. She watched some of the WGA -CA championship with me on Sunday and they were talking about the rules about not grounding the club in the sand, she asked me if that rule applies to her and her putter in the sand . She already wants to go out again next weekend!!!

Mark

[Ian]

sounds like a great time in general, glad you got to share that expirence with your daughter.

[Eeryck]

That is awesome.

In golf digest this last month there was a mother talking about golfing with her kids and she played a game with the youngest one by putting a quarter on the green and putting towards it. If they hit the quarter with the put they got to keep it.

Regards,
-E

[O'cookie]

I recently moved to Maryland from San Diego (yeah, yeah I know) Moving Eastwe were able to afford a house that has a golf course in the neighborhood and is in the process of going private, when I asked them about their policy regarding kids on the course, they said all were welcome, even at age 3 1/2. They even have plans to have a forward box just for the kids. That was all it took, I signed the papers and joined. Then the economy tanked and for a while I really had to question my decision about joining a private club. Since January 1st I have about 25 rounds in, of those about half are with my daughter. This past weekend while we were watching the WGC, she kept asking to go out and play golf, It was raining and my wife wouldn't let us. I can't put a price on the enjoyment we both get spending several hours on the course together each week. She does have some plastic clubs and a very short 5 iron that she drags along, But I have not tried to teach her a thing, she putts when she wants and holds the clubs as she likes. In time that will come, but for now just hanging out on the course is great.
Any Dad out there that wants some realty great quality time with their kid should take them on the course, Just as MarkM did as the final group. Don't expect to finish, or play great golf. Just play!!

[Dpricenator]

My son is 4 and a half and is nonverbal autistic. So we have some trouble here and there with him getting bored, and frustrated with not being able to communicate with us. The other day my wife brought home a little plastic putter, ball, cup set up for him and he immeadiatly knew what to do. He has come to the driving range a couple times, of course he's pretty quiet and will just sit and watch. So a few weeks ago, I woke him up early and we went to my local 9 hole Pitch and put. He loved it. He'll carried his club the whole way while eating skittles for breakfast (perks of waking up with dad). When we got to the green i would drop and extra ball on the green and let him hit it to the hole. Now when I get home he brings me his club and takes me by the hand and leads me to my bag. Then looks at me with a "you know you want to go too" look. I'm not sure if he could walk the 18 hole muni with me, it's got longer holes and twice as many. I might let him try, but I don't want him to get tired and ruin the back 9 for me. So I am happy to find something he and I can share.

[jmontgo3]

Sounds great, all these stories! Can't wait till I can take my (future) kids out to the course, had a great time learning with my dad growing up.

[O'cookie]

Ok I gotta add another good one, Just now over dinner I asked my Daughter if she wanted to play golf tomorrow after I take her to Ballet. She said No, I asked again, and again she said no, my wife sorta laughed and I was a little deflated. Then she said, "before Ballet". Life is good!

I also wanted to add to Dpricenator' post, I would suggest asking your wife to meet you at the turn and pick up your son, That way you get some great time with him and see how he holds up. Then play the back on your own, Or vice versa. Anyone playing with a small child should know that your game wont be the same. And the first few times are really not about playing the game, as much as it is about being together and teaching. I will say that many aspects have gotten better. Try putting with a 3 year old strataling the hole.
My old neighbor's son has was also special needs, They played golf all the time, That was when they were both the happiest. Enjoy!!

[Slim 11]

I have been taking my son out with me a few times each year since he was 6. He turns 13 this month and we still go out, a little more often now. Not only has it been a great time with him, it also ends up being a great opportunity to chat about what is going on in his life. I am convinced it helps him be more open and share more things with me. He took some lessons last year, along with my wife, now I have to worry about him getting good enough to beat me.
I have another son that just turned 7. He gets out with us a few times, as well.
It's slow and I usually don't play very well (too concerned keeping an eye on them, showing them rules and etiquette and watching behind us to make sure we don't hold anybody up) but we have a great time.

[mmcgee13]

that sounds like some great bonding time. It reminds me of my early golfing days with my dad. I'm 14 know and I still go out with him, so keep it up