When did you get your kids into golf and did they stick with it?

[sirhacksalot]

I am 33 and have only been playing golf for just under 2 years. I have played before now but it was the borrowed clubs, not keeping score, someone else paid, count on one hand the times, kind of playing.

Just like everyone else here, I love it, I am kind of put off that I didn't get the "bug" earlier on when I did play those handful of times but for a couple of different reasons it didn't happen ( I was really bad and it was more so, hit pick up, drop with, hit again).  

Now its all I think about and what I look forward to as far as "me" time.  I've also been able to take my kids, I have a 4 yr old son and a 2 yr old daughter, for nine holes every now and then if its late afternoon.  They both have shown interest but its not an all the time thing.  Jack and Sloane to make it easier.  Jack has kind of a hockey slap shot and Sloane is still in the training wheels daddy holds the club too stage.

They both are starting to get into the electronics pretty big and has cut out on some of their enthusiasm.  I did get take Sloane out with me for a lil practice, workout.  I say workout because when you have to carry a two year old and your non carry cart bag, out to the course from parking and 4 holes practicing its quite a work out as well as practice.  Even if it wasn't intentionally so.

There are several reasons driving this and most belong to the I just love my kids category, some are in the my dad didn't do much with me I want to be better category, some of them are in the I love seeing multiple generations on the golf course together and I guess mine will have to start with me, and some are in the selfish category as in maybe I cant justify that golf vacation ( more than a weekend )  solo at the moment, but if its a father son/daughter thing absolutely (obviously a few years away).

I will survive if they have no interest in golf.  But like everything that I do with them, it may take longer but its 1000 times better with them.  So what age did you get your kids into golf? What age did you get them lessons? Did they stick with it? Do you have a favorite story that justifies my drive to get them to do this with me? 

I want to encourage with out being pushy, I know that is a different thread all together, but hearing thoughts on that too would be helpful.

 

 

[CarlSpackler]

The important thing at this stage is that it is a fun time to spend time with Dad. It was a highlight of my younger years when I got to follow my Dad and Grandpa around the golf course. If there is a par 3 course close by, that it a great way to get them engaged. Putting games on a practice green are fun because they have a good chance to beat the old man. 

[imsys0042]

I have two 5 year old twin girls and have taken them out for 9 holes a few times.  They have plastic fisher price clubs but enjoy hitting it and get so happy when they hit one a long way.   I hope to encourage them more to play as they get older and if they have an interest will get them some kids clubs.   Junior golf by me starts at 6, but I don't know if they will want to do it yet.

[70sSanO]

We have a daughter and twin boys.  Ironically both of our boys ended up in Arizona and we play just about every time we visit them or they come out here.  They got clubs for Christmas when they were around 10/12.  They are in their late 20's.  Our daughter never played, but she was big time into horses.

I have no magic formula for kids and golf, but I do have some general advice for developing that father/son/daughter relationship... get and stay involved in their lives, find time for them, and include them in as many activities as you can.

I've been blessed over the years to have the ability to do a lot of things "well enough to enjoy them," as my Mom used to say.  So we have done everything from tennis to hockey (plate in my wrist) to surfing to paintball (their idea and they loved to light the old man up) to guitar to golf.  Surfing was the big one and our house was the ding repair/surf shop hangout.

This may mean less "me" time and there were times (years) when my clubs were not touched and my bikes hung the rafters with little air in the tires, but it has been an amazing ride.  Take them golfing, but go to those soccer games, school programs, horse shows even if the clubs get a little less use.

John

Edited September 1, 2016 by 70sSanO

[bkuehn1952]

I took my grand kids out when they were 5-6 years old.  We typically played "Par 3" courses and 9 holes only.  Always a 2 person scramble.  I would prepare a lunch and about the 5th hole we would pull over, sit under a tree and eat.

We only played at non-busy times  Any group that could keep up with us played through immediately.

Driving a cart is a big "plus" for kids.  Clearly there are hazards involved and all courses typically ban anyone under 16 from driving.  If you feel comfortable with the idea, you might start them on your lap, steering.  I do not recommend this but I will admit to breaking the rules and allowing them to drive under strict supervision once they got big enough to reach the peddles.  I did not consider this reckless considering the terrain (flat) and absence of people and traffic.  I also understand how others might see this activity as child endangerment.

All the grand kids still play golf to a lesser or greater extent.  They all have hand-me-down sets of clubs.

You might also try to find a "Foot Golf" venue.  It acquaints kids with the idea of golf and it is a lot easier to kick a soccer ball than it is to hit a golf ball.  For young kids, use a lighter ball (e.g. a volley ball or inflatable rubber ball).

[Rainmaker]

My kids are 3 and 5 - neither one has much interest in golf at this point.  I have a little kids iron and I let them play with it when they want to.  My 5 year old just started Kindergarten and one of the after school activities was golf . .I was hopeful for a minute that she might want to do it but no, lol. 

Me: Do you want to do an afterschool activity this year?

Her: Yes!

Me: They have soccer, golf, drama . . .

Her: Golf!?  They have golf!?

Me:  Yes - and it's "real golf" like on TV . .not just practice golf. 

Her:  Whats "drama"

Me:  That's where you get to be in plays with other kids. 

Her:  Plays?

Me: Right - like skits or stories . .where you pretend to be different characters. 

Her:  Oh ok - I'll do drama. 

Me:  Ok - sounds awesome! (internally - Noooooooooooo, lol).

But at least it's not soccer, lol.  I get involved with whatever she does - music class, dance class, soccer, swimming . .soccer is my least favorite due to hot/boring conditions. 

I'm still hopeful, of course . .golf is always there for them just in case they happen to express an interest.  Even if they don't they still will get an intro . .when they're a bit older.  Right now I don't think they could behave appropriately to tag along for 9 or even go to the range.  

 

 

[Grinde6]

My daughter is 3 now.  I bought her a set of kids Nike clubs (Driver, 7i, SW and Putter) for her 1st birthday.  I take her golfing with me every Saturday and Sunday morning and that is per her request.  We are at the lake on the weekends so we have our routine of pancakes for breakfast and then we go golfing.  She occasionally wants to use her driver when she sees I have mine (only use it on 2-3 holes on this course), but she loves taking her putter once we get to the green and setting her ball down and putting it into the hole.  During the week when Mom has something going on and its just the two of us I will ask her what she wants to do and she answers 90% of the time with "well, we could go golfing"....and I cheer loudly inside!!!  It may not be like this forever, and if she doesn't choose golf or hockey as her sports when she gets older that is fine, but she likes golfing with me right now, so I will cherish it while it lasts. 

[SG11118]

I have 12 and 10 year old, and I have failed to get them to enjoy golf.  I have both range and golf course memberships they can use, and we also own a cart.  They've taken youth group lessons with the golf pro a couple of years.  My son used to love golfing with me, but years of struggles and not really getting any better have killed that.  My daughter used to miss the ball more than she hit it, but she is doing a bit better this year - even though she hates it.  I keep telling myself that if I can just get them to hit the ball consistently and see a little bit of success, they will start enjoying the game.  However they are both stubborn and don't like taking advise on how to try things differently.  I'm hoping at some point in time coordination from playing other sports will creep into their golf games, and they might start appreciating the game.

[Vinny Cap]

My son was the one to get me into golf.  He was 5 years old and I got him a set of used kids clubs and picked up a starter set for me.  I was hooked and he was on and off for a couple of years.

For the last 4 years we go out during summer vacation anywhere from 3 - 10 times.  He has a blast and has beaten me at least once a season and saves those cards.

To make it fun for him I started him at 100yds for par 3's, 125 for par 4's and 150 for the par 5's.  I would give him a stroke and a mulligan if he hit a really bad shot.  He has improve over the years and has been hitting from the Red Tees with 1 stroke a hole for the 3 & 4's and 2 strokes for the 5's.

He loves it, I love it and we make a fun day of it.  We take pics and video of us hitting to enjoy later.

I wouldn't trade those days for anything.... I wish my dad did this with me when I was a kid.

[jsgolfer]

I would love for my kids to play golf, but neither one of them ever showed any interest.  Not that I didn't try.  They had fun for a while, hitting balls on the range and putting on the practice green, but neither of them continued to play after they were about 10 once they got on the course and didn't play well.  

[Braivo]

My 9yo daughter has shown interest and I have taken her out a few times, but I don't push it. If it catches, it catches. 

My 10yo son has zero interest and zero athleticism. Not going to force it. 

My 7yo son has the athletic ability but so far does not have the attention span to play much. 

[Golfingdad]

16 minutes ago, Braivo said:

My 9yo daughter has shown interest and I have taken her out a few times, but I don't push it. If it catches, it catches. 

My 10yo son has zero interest and zero athleticism. Not going to force it. 

My 7yo son has the athletic ability but so far does not have the attention span to play much. 

My oldest is 7 and has shown a very mild amount of interest.  We've gone a few times and he did a kids clinic this summer that he enjoyed.  But he's not champing at the bit or anything and I'm not pushing either.

5 year old daughter is mostly uninterested.

20 month old son, I'm pretty sure, is going to be the athlete.  He's already got soccer skills and likes trying to play golf as well.  Will have to wait and see.

[TN94z]

I started my step son at 4. My daughter is not even 2 yet but I have bought her a set of plastic clubs so she can just beat around the house with them. Like mentioned above, the main thing is to make it fun. Don't worry so much about how they play or anything. They just have fun being out there, playing in the sand, being with dad, etc...And most likely will lose interested and get bored within a few holes, but that's just part of it. I tried my best not to force it on my step son and made sure he just has fun. He dropped it for a bit but now plays for the high school team and is addicted. It's awesome to want to spend time with your kids like that. I see so many that could care less...

[Rip62]

I started mine when they were 9 and 7. My daughter was never to into it. She never had much chance to play with all her dance classes. My son liked it right away but got away from it a bit while he was in high school but now that he is in college he is playing more again.

[iacas]

I started my daughter when she was two or three.

For a long, long time I didn't really do much except say "put this hand here and this hand here" and keep it as fun as possible. I let her drive the cart, look for frogs, etc. "Fun at the golf course" was the idea, and when she wanted to hit something, I let her. Even if it was a mushroom. When she was done doing that, we were done doing that. Sometimes that meant I got to play four holes before we'd leave, but that was fine.

She just competed in the Regional Drive, Chip, and Putt and won the city junior match play (at 13) earlier this summer, so she's stuck with it.

[Gunther]

Took my son to the range a lot when he was 8-11.  He'd have fun hitting a few and had the athletic ability but it never took.  Got him a set of clubs while he was in college cuz some of his frat brothers played.  Went to the range to teach him a little but again, never took.  He still has the clubs tho and a couple of his buds play so I remain hopeful, but he's more of an extreme sport kid, golf bores him.

Entered my daughter into the LPGA program in Dallas when she was 8 or so.  Did it 2 years, even won a father-daughter tournament with her.  And of all the trophies she's collected, that's the biggest.  But, alas, she too got bored with it so we moved on.

I wish you luck.  To this day I tell my son the best father's day gift he could ever get me would be to take some lessons for awhile and surprise me with a tee time.  We'll see... 

[GolfLug]

I have taken both my kids to the course on and off for the last 3 summers. They took lessons this summer for 6 Sundays with a local pro. They really enjoy it too for most parts. I applauded and encouraged everything but a complete whiff and when they whiffed, we laughed. Interestingly I found they are very self critical and a few times I simply could not convince them that making contact is a huge victory in itself. But it's all good. I am going to keep plugging.

Perspective is an interesting thing. Especially THEIR perspective. It is fun to see how amazed they are if you do nothing but hit a ball in the air. It always brings a little smile to my face when I remember the one time couple of years ago after watching me hit a high short iron on a par three and hitting the green, I heard my son go "Oh wow, how come you are not on TV dad?".. I started to explain why not but then I just let it be.. lol!.. I enjoyed 'god of golf' status for a little bit. Of course, this year during their lessons they saw quite a few other 'golf gods' on the range and figured out why daddy is not on TV...  

 

[iacas]

The "god of golf" thing is fine until they start getting down on themselves because they can't do what you can do.

Not that it happens with all kids. But it happens with some.