Junior Golfers

[Fourputt]

First, I'm not even remotely a junior (I'm almost a senior at my course.. lol), so that isn't a factor in my post, but do have something to add here. I play (and work part time) at a pretty nice public facility. We have an 18 hole, par 72 course, a 9 hole par 31 executive course, and a 9 hole par 3 course.

We have a fairly comprehensive junior golf program that includes lessons, junior leagues in the summer, tournaments, etc. Most of the younger kids 912 and under) play the par 3 course for their leagues. But for general golf, there really aren't any restrictions placed on juniors over that age except that they can't drive riding carts (insurance issues). In fact, juniors are given the best price break on green fees of anyone, almost 50% off the regular fee. That's even better than the senior rate, and they get it on the weekend which the seniors don't. They can play any time, they can call ahead for reservations, then can play with their friends, or with family or with other single golfers. a lot of the school golf teams in the area play the 18 hole course regularly.

I usually enjoy playing with the younger golfers on a weekday afternoon... they seem to have fun and generally like to get little tips and advice and information about the rules. Most of them seem to have a good attitude about the game.

I feel for you guys who are having bad experiences... where do these people think that new players come from? They have to learn somewhere, and the only way to learn how to play golf is to play golf. You can develop a playable swing on the range, but you have to take it to the course to learn how to use it. Maybe it's a private club thing... I don't know.

[Heat]

Great Courses Around Here, I'm 17 and have just started playing in junior events. Theres quite alot of competition in these parts unfortunately..haha

[jaqattack02]

I'm not a junior, but what I want to know is how all of you 17 and unders afford things like club memberships and the expensive clubs you have listed in your sigs. When I was 17 and under, I had no where near enough money to afford any of it. The only reason I can afford to golf now (I'm 23) is that I have a full time job.

[Fourputt]

  jaqattack02 said:

I'm not a junior, but what I want to know is how all of you 17 and unders afford things like club memberships and the expensive clubs you have listed in your sigs. When I was 17 and under, I had no where near enough money to afford any of it. The only reason I can afford to golf now (I'm 23) is that I have a full time job.

This question sort of crossed my mind too. The fact that they have any opportunity at all to play on a regular basis tells me that they are far more privileged than I was at that age.

[Spectrums]

Typically my parents pay for my membership since 1. I'm too young to work and 2. My schools home course won't let us play for free.

Besides, I get about 3x the use of my membership for the price ($400).

[lhshurdl3r]

  jaqattack02 said:

I'm not a junior, but what I want to know is how all of you 17 and unders afford things like club memberships and the expensive clubs you have listed in your sigs. When I was 17 and under, I had no where near enough money to afford any of it. The only reason I can afford to golf now (I'm 23) is that I have a full time job.

mommy and daddy<3 never golfed when i was "junior" age. but i still would have had to buy it all myself lol edit: glad i didn't have to either... all of the juniors at the course i play/work at are little stuck up d-bags.

[lamebums]

  jaqattack02 said:

I'm not a junior, but what I want to know is how all of you 17 and unders afford things like club memberships and the expensive clubs you have listed in your sigs. When I was 17 and under, I had no where near enough money to afford any of it. The only reason I can afford to golf now (I'm 23) is that I have a full time job.

Or you can hit the lotto.

[JustMe]

  jaqattack02 said:

I'm not a junior, but what I want to know is how all of you 17 and unders afford things like club memberships and the expensive clubs you have listed in your sigs. When I was 17 and under, I had no where near enough money to afford any of it. The only reason I can afford to golf now (I'm 23) is that I have a full time job.

I'm a golf mom. We have made many sacrifices for my son to play on a jr tour and belong to a cc. What his goals are...and he just entered his junior year, and plays on the varsity golf team, with a handi of 4.3, is to play college golf. He has very good grades, and he loves this sport. So, no, he doesn't work while in school. School comes first, then golf.

Now with regards to the financial aspect of it.....we pay a low monthly jr rate for the cc. He sees his pro maybe twice a month, more if something crops up, swing...etc. He runs us 55 bucks for an hour. His pro is also a good friend of ours, so that helps. Clubs....well, we plan ahead and start budgeting for them prior to him needing them. Basically his pro will try and warn us four months in advance that the kid may be headed for a change in a club, maybe due to him going through a growth spurt, strength, or he's just about out grown the club/clubs. The scotty cameron was bought, by him, for vanity, his pro told him any putter will do. The worst of all of it, is the tourneys. A two day tourney will run us 500. That includes.....food, gas, hotel, entry fees...and so forth. We do try to find one day tourneys, less money, but they're very hard to come by where we live. I will say this, my son does help when I need help at my part time business. I also sold my show horse to be able to afford this game, and we are very lucky that his Dad has a great job. So now that I've rambled on and on....that's how we afford this game. My son is very grateful for what we have as a family, done to support and encourage him. Oh and I only have one kid.

[JustMe]

  lhshurdl3r said:

mommy and daddy

Well I wouldn't lump them together like that. Yes there are some spoiled kids out there, but guess what...they all aren't on the course.

And edited to add...you sound a bit bitter.

[JustMe]

  Fourputt said:

This question sort of crossed my mind too. The fact that they have any opportunity at all to play on a regular basis tells me that they are far more privileged than I was at that age.

It has nothing to do with being privileged, it has to do with priorities. I'm not trying to sound like a snob, our family is far from being "Rich".

I grew up in the horse show industry. If you think the kids that are carrying 3k worth of equipment on their backs are wealthy...then I'll have to inform you that parents have and will pay 650K for a pony that wins. Golf is cheap compared to the horse industry. I also know many parents that have a budget for golf for their kids. We all try to cut corners, I'm not the only golf Mom out there doing it. It can be done.

[GolfAddict]

I'm 14, at my club we have a few junior tournaments every summer (4-5), but they aren't fun because they're only 9 holes instead of 18. Most of the members don't think we're good enough to play when they do, but most of the juniors could kick their butts any day. All in all our junior program is pretty good, we have clinics every thursday morning and the older juniors get to play 9 holes at 5 in the evening. We have a new head pro this year who is making everything a lot better than last year.

[lhshurdl3r]

  JustMe said:

Well I wouldn't lump them together like that. Yes there are some spoiled kids out there, but guess what...they all aren't on the course.

of course i'm bitter. not because they get everything they want/need. but because they're stuck up and arrogant b/c they get what everything they want. like a set of x-20's when they'll grow out of them in the next 6 months.

[Alex B]

I'm (almost) 16... at the club through which I get my handicap (I'm technically not a member), there's nothing special or different about junior golfers. We have the same rules and privileges as adults.

[JustMe]

  lhshurdl3r said:

of course i'm bitter. not because they get everything they want/need. but because they're stuck up and arrogant b/c they get what everything they want. like a set of x-20's when they'll grow out of them in the next 6 months.

Why be bitter?

X-20's I'm ASSuming these are irons? My kid as of right now is playing with a set of irons that are 20 years old. Ping eye 2's black dot. Yes they happen to be a nice iron for him at this moment, but I've already been warned by his pro that he will need new irons by Christmas. No problem, we've been aware that he will out grow them/will be ready to move on to new set of irons soon. It's his Christmas present for goodness sakes. Now...why in the world would you think that my kid, or every kid out there that happens to play golf..."get whatever they want"? My kid is far from being stuck up nor arrogant. I'd kill him if he were. Back to YOU. I'd advise you to remove said chip from your shoulder and broaden your mind. I'm not sure how old you are...but if I were to bet on it...I'd put you in 14 through 16 age bracket. Maybe I'm right...maybe I'm wrong. By all means prove me wrong.

[Mhinderaker]

  lhshurdl3r said:

of course i'm bitter. not because they get everything they want/need. but because they're stuck up and arrogant b/c they get what everything they want. like a set of x-20's when they'll grow out of them in the next 6 months.

I don't think you're being very fair here.

You are obviously bringing stereotypes from a few younger golfers towards everyone under 18 who doesn't play with clubs they found in the dump. Just because I am not an adult does not make me stuck up and arrogant. Did you ever receive birthday gifts as a child? Now think of putting all of that money and all of your gifts towards golf. That is all I put money towards 99% of the time.

[JustMe]

  Mhinderaker said:

I don't think you're being very fair here.

~clapping hands~ Kudos to you Mhinderaker....keep up the good work.

[nick1998bunker]

Im not a member but the staff can be nice. The real problem is getting to play. I cant play unless I get someone to drive me and pay a cart fee and It still costs 30 bucks. I dont mind that but its pretty much full price.  I go up to the range everyday and only get to play once a month when my dad can bring me. and tht is usually only 9 holes. As soon as I can drive Im going to another course that I like better but then I will have to pay full price.

:(