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"Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing." |
-Ben Hogan |
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Get your kids involved in the game — and keep them headed in the right direction. Dear Dr. Golf: My son is 6 and shows some interest in playing golf. He’s played other sports like soccer and baseball, but I was wondering if I should get him involved in golf as well. It’s an expensive game, so I don’t know how deep I should get him into it if he’s not going to like it. Should I get him a set of clubs or just get an old set cut down? Is he old enough to get anything out of golf lessons from a professional? How do I go about getting him started? Prescription: I recommend that you get him started in the game. Invest in some junior clubs from a quality manufacturer. A club designed specifically for a junior is going to be more forgiving and easier to hit than a cut-down club. You have the option of buying one club or a set, but a short iron and a putter are all you will need to get started. Then, if he decides he likes the game, you can easily add clubs to complete the set. Proper instruction from a PGA professional is vital to any golfer, but even more important for a young player who is starting out in the game. Most courses offer a junior lesson rate or junior clinics, and your son might have more fun in a group setting with kids his own age. Check with your local course or the SCPGA Junior Tour website (scpga.com) for information on clinics, camps and tournaments. Dear Dr. Golf: I have a son and daughter in high school who play on their golf teams. My son is a sophomore and my daughter is finishing up her freshman year. My son is the No. 2 player on his team and my daughter is No. 1 on her team, and both routinely break 40 in their nine-hole matches. What chance do they have of getting a college scholarship in golf, and what can I do in the next couple of years to help them reach their goal of going to college? Prescription: The best thing for your son and daughter is to gain as much tournament experience as possible. In addition to their high school matches, they should compete as often as possible on the local, state and national level. A great resource for the transition from high school golf to college golf is the PING American College Golf Guide, which can be found at collegegolf.com. Coaches look for experience and strong academics, so continue to stress the importance of both. Ask your children to establish their priorities of where they would like to go to school and weigh in factors such as golf, academics, proximity to home and cost. Also, don’t rule out smaller schools or junior colleges. Many good players get their start at that level and transfer to a bigger school on a scholarship. SG Nikki Gatch is the director of the Southern California PGA Junior Tour. She can be reached at (951) 845-4653 or ngatch@pgahq.com. |
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