My son is just starting

[sabanist]

He's 12, not real athletic. Anyway, I've signed him up for an 8 lesson package at the local club and thus far he has completed 2. He's just now getting interested in it and never has gone with me to play in his life until now.

Anyway, I take him to the range with me now (so far twice) and both times he just seems to be out there hitting balls and not focusing on what he's doing. He finishes his bucket in 1/2 the time it takes me.

I've tried to give him tips before but he doesn't listen to me when it comes to stuff like that.

He is pretty skinny and I can tell the club is heavy in his hands. So now I have him doing at least 100 practice swings everyday in the small backyard we have.

Is there anything else anyone can tell me on a good way to get him playing and not get so discouraged he quits.

[James_Black]

Get him to play with some friends or something?
Don't give him swing advice, let him figure it out on his own.

[jlh1508]

Don't have him do 100 practice swings unless he wants to

[Arthur]

You might try to get him to focus on chipping and putting. One it's easier to learn the mechanics than a full swing and it will help him to develop a good short game. Let him choose what he wants to do. You might take him to the course with you and let him chip and putt when you get up to the greens.

I think it can get really frustrating and boring if all you do is beat balls at the range. Not only for kids but adults also. Just my 2 cents worth and hope you have many years of wonderful gold playing with your son.

[Boyder]

Good advice so far ... I know you have invested in the lessons, and so far it seems to be "taking" ... for now that's about all you need to do. Let him learn on his own right now ... when he wants your help you will know ... you'll hear stuff like , "good shot dad ... how'd you do that?", or "I wish I know what to do to putt better ..." .... Beyond that, let him have fun with it. If it's not fun for him now - it never will be. And to a kid, fun at this stage may have more to do with rifling out a bucket of balls or buzzing around the course in a cart once in a while.
My daughter loves playing with me, and I get the biggest kick out of playing with her - even tho she has physical and cognitive disabilities that make it virtually impossible for her to really play the game with any skill level. She's 20, but it's like playing with a giggly 7 year old every time ... and I'm OK with that ... because she has so much fun with it.

[MJP]

You might try to get him to focus on chipping and putting. One it's easier to learn the mechanics than a full swing and it will help him to develop a good short game. Let him choose what he wants to do. You might take him to the course with you and let him chip and putt when you get up to the greens.

That's a great idea. I met a kid at the range this summer who is 14. He can drive the ball (not carry) maybe 250 but can only hit his 7i like 120. He has a good swing and hes very straight.

But the point is he has an amazing short game. He's about a 2-4 handicap I'd guess based off his scores in junior golf tournaments. I have played with him before and his ability to get it close when he misses the green is just awesome. He has the technique down for every type of shot. I've seen him practicing in the bunker and gets most of the ball within 5 feet. 10y bunker shot, about a 7 foot deep bunker that is hard as hell. Have him work on the short game mostly. Get him clubs fit to him, as surely a younger kid needs much more customization than someone fully grown. This 14 year old kid will be insanely good by the time he graduates HS. He's only about 4'6" and skinny! He'll get stronger and taller and will develop a great long game to go along with his extremely consistent short game. Last tournament (on a course rated 70.0/126 i believe) he shot 73, 76 or something like that maybe not in that order. He gets up and down a lot. I think this is the best place to start not just for the sake of having a good golf game but because he won't get discouraged as easily with the short game. He will progress and naturally take an interest to the short game (if he likes the game, that is. don't force him of course). I've seen plenty of kids younger than 10 putting with their fathers or grandfathers. Only one of them ever seemed discouraged when he hit a bad one, but it looked like more of a feeling of dissapointment because he knows he can putt better than that. sorry for the long response, but i feel this is an important matter

[O.B. Right]

It seems like you can kill 2 birds with one stone by just letting him hit 2 buckets at the range. 1 - it will be more fun for him and 2. should help strengthen his arms without the need for 100 practice swings a day. I don't think too many 12 year olds have the ability to really focus on 50 golf shots in a row and that's ok . . as long as he's getting semi-regular check-ups from the pro to remedy bad habits, he should keep getting better.

[sabanist]

Good advice I think with the short game. It will give him the opportunity to gain confidence and he will have something to look forward to when we go to the course.

I really want him to love the game as it will give us something to do together. I don't want to force it on him though. he mentioned that he wanted to get started so that's a good sign.

so instead of filling his head with erroneous info becuase I'm not that great myself, I am paying a pro.

I remember when I got started in the game. I just took my dads old clubs when I was about 12 and played my uncle's course over and over. then in high school I started playing with friends. Maybe just let nature take it's course.

[Easy]

Just encourage him at the moment, but everyone is different. Some kids perform better when there fathers and coaches were tough on them but I always played better when my old man only had positive things to say. (This was Aussie rules not golf) Great pointers on the short game but for a 12 year old I'm sure he's going to get more of a buzz wacking the ball 130m than sinking putts.

I say just let him have fun, once he really starts to love the game then you can start adding pointers, telling him how to improve and pushing for more lessons.

[ks8829]

Make golf fun for him, it does not matter how he swing or plays as long as he enjoying himself, have him bring a friend so that they can learn together and he will stay with the game longer, if he looks forward to playing golf with you that all that matters.