Junior Golfers: At What Age To Teach Your Child The Game?

You love golf, and you have noticed that your children have an interest in the sport every time you pick up the golf bag. They ask about your game, how long you will be at the course, and if they could come along and drive the golf cart. Then the day comes when you get home and see your child whacking at the grass with your putter. They are trying valiantly to hit the ball toward the hole they dug into the ground with the shovel. As you rush to take the club away, while secretly glad that the ball never made it into the air to hit into the neighbor’s car, you are convinced that perhaps golf is a sport your child would love to take part in.

At What Age Should A Child Learn Golf?

Children of all ages can get involved in golf. Yet it is best to wait until they have the appropriate hand-eye coordination. To test their hand-eye coordination, toss them a tennis ball or softball. If they can catch the ball, they have developed the hand-eye coordination they need to begin playing the sport.

Even if the child didn’t catch the ball, it doesn’t mean that they have to wait to begin learning the principles of the game and golf etiquette. So don’t rush to pick out a set of clubs for them yet. Get them out to the course to watch golfers play and gauge the child’s interest. Teach them the rules of golf. Then you can see if they just have a passing fancy or if they really want to get out on the links.

Equip Them Right

Once you know that the child won’t quit after the first hour (and even if they do, that is okay), now is the time to get them the right equipment. Pick out junior clubs that are specifically made for children. They won’t need the whole set while starting out. They should have a putter, 3-wood, 4-wood, 5-iron, 7-iron and 9-iron. Once they become relaxed and really excited about the game, you can then get the full set.

Stay away from manufacturers that simply cut down an adult club to make it shorter for a child. These clubs are too heavy for children and will leave them unbalanced. Children will end up developing flaws in their swing that will be difficult to fix when the flaws become part of their routine.

Above All Else, Let Them Have Fun

Never let your personal excitement about the game cloud your mind to the fact that you are teaching a child to have fun while playing the sport. Let them enjoy themselves now. If in the future they wish to make the sport into a profession, let them make that decision. For right now, just be happy that they love the sport as much as you do.