Parents, when did you start your kids?

[Rickp]

My “kids” are mid 40's so different era and opportunity. My girls tried golf one of them was pretty good but softball was their thing. Now Gkids. The 3 girls no interest in golf except when they went to practice putt with me. Again softball took over for the girls and grandson is ALL baseball & soccer. It's their choice and I stand behind it. BTW one of the girls will be looking at college level softball. She's had some looks by a couple colleges.

 

 

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[josmi15]

My girls have had clubs and have gone to the range for years. Unfortunately, they stopped over a year ago. They were around 5 when they started

 

 

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[Rickp]

My girls have had clubs and have gone to the range for years. Unfortunately, they stopped over a year ago. They were around 5 when they started

 

 

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It's difficult to keep girls interested in golf. Too much time and solitary. My girls like the more social activity.

 

 

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[HardcoreLooper]

It's difficult to keep girls interested in golf. Too much time and solitary. My girls like the more social activity.

Find or start an LPGA/USGA girls golf program in your area. https://www.girlsgolf.org. My youngest is in one, and she really likes getting to play with other girls.

 

My girls (17 and 10 now) started through The First Tee. The club I belonged to didn't have a junior program, so I looked to TFT as a low-cost way to get them involved. 11 years later, they're still involved, and I've been a volunteer coach there for the last 8 or so years.

[Flipper554]

I started my boy when he was 4. There were no junior clubs at that time so I cut down a putter that he did everything with. He would come with me to the driving range and whack balls with it but he really just wanted to go to the practice green and roll balls into the hole. He's in his 30's now and plays a few times a year, he just never got bit by the bug like I did. Everyone has to find their own thing.

[josmi15]

It's difficult to keep girls interested in golf. Too much time and solitary. My girls like the more social activity.

 

 

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im hoping they pick it back up, when they get older. Thinking about their college opportunities, lots of scholarships out there

 

 

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[Rickp]

im hoping they pick it back up, when they get older. Thinking about their college opportunities, lots of scholarships out there

 

 

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My oldest Gdaughter is looking at academic & softball scholarships. 4.45 gpa & starting right field & backup 1st base. She quit pitching as she doesn't have size/pitch speed.

 

 

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[Peterpc2828]

I have an almost 1 year old baby girl, I'm hoping she loves golf as much as I do!

 

 

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[Rickp]

I have an almost 1 year old baby girl, I'm hoping she loves golf as much as I do!

 

 

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Hope it comes true for you

 

 

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[TR1PTIK]

I first got my daughter a set of plastic golf clubs when she was 2 or 3 and have slowly worked with her since then - primarily putting inside. When she turned 5, I bought her a set of US Kids Golf clubs and we went out for 9-holes exactly one time last year - my wife and I also took her to an LPGA event.

 

It's been a slow and steady process of testing her interest and evaluating her skills and ability. Every kid will be different and there is no set age of when you should or shouldn't introduce your kids to the game.

 

My recommendation is to let them come to it naturally and start with the simple things. For example, I practice my putting inside quite a bit and that's how we started, but only after my daughter showed interest. Kids naturally want to imitate the things they see their parents doing and parents would be wise not to force their kids into any sport. My dream isn't to see my daughter on the LPGA one day, my dream is to be able to share something we both have a passion for and enjoy quality time doing that.

 

We only have so many years where our kids genuinely view us as their heroes - make the most of it.

[ED13]

I got both of my daughters clubs when they were five.  I have tried to introduce them to a bit of everything and let them decide what they want to spend time doing.  It doesn't matter to me what they choose as long as they are participating in something.  My youngest who is now 11 likes rhythmic gymnastics and dance while my 12 year old likes synchronized swimming.  Two years ago I started to take both to a 12 hole course near my cabin when we were there and there interest in golf slowly started.  Last year we played more often and this year my oldest wants to take some lessons and spend more time playing this summer.

 

I have always tried to keep it fun.  They have always had the option to hit from their shot or place best ball at any time.  Also, up to them to keep score.  The only rule when they play with me is they must walk.  Most kids now spend so much time in front of a computer I try to get them out doing some kind of physical activity any chance I get.

 

I have made an effort to have them try physical activities they can do for the rest of their lives.  So far the ones that seem to be sticking are golf, biking and cross country skiing.

[robotnoises]

In my limited experience, I would say start them as soon as they (in order of importance):

 

1. Want to
2. Can physically hold/swing whatever club you got for them

 

For my daughter that was around age 4. She loves hitting her driver, so that's what we do. She can hit it about 30 yards and every time she squares one up it's a thrill. 

 

Just don't expect too much... as long as they are having fun that's all that matters.

[GolfSpy MPR]

Only bumping this thread because I'm looking for an excuse to post swing videos of my son 

 

 

We've been out a few times this year. Following the guidelines from US Kids Golf (http://www.uskidsgolf.com/tournaments/local/course-setup), I've set up an ~1,100 yard course for Kirke. He's shooting bogey golf pretty consistently now at age 5. Right now, he's been beating me more than I'm beating him 

[Big money]

When my son turned 15. I remember buying my son a set and signing him up for lessons.He showed promise for a few weeks after. But lost the bug shortly after. Just wasn't exciting enough for him or spontaneous. Mountain biking and cross fit exercising have been his mojo for almost a decade now

 

For some reason junior golf just doesn't seem to resonate with today's youth

[Gg Owen]

Really tried to get my thirteen year old interested.We attended a father daughter clinic many years back.She was a real trooper to the very end.Never picked up a club since and absolutely hates golf.Its just a tough sell in todays society.Our generation grew up in golf.Current generations can careless about golf.The game is in trouble

[russtopherb]

I started bringing my son to the course with me when he was around 8 or so. He said he wanted to learn so we signed him up for lessons through our town's summer activities program. He did that for a few summers, and I bought him a Top Flite set to use. 

 

Last year at age 11 he told us that he wanted to stop playing baseball and play more golf, so we signed him up for PGA Jr League. He's starting his second season of that now. We mostly play par 3 courses along with my father when we go out together.

 

I've never really given him any instruction or critique, I leave that for people who actually know what they're doing. We just go out and have fun, even when we go to the range we make things a game so he stays interested and motivated.

 

As far as the comment above about junior golf not resonating, the course my son plays at has to field 3 teams this summer so they can fit in all the kids who signed up. First time they've ever done that. The course a few minutes from my office has to keep adding more junior instruction programs because they keep filling up. 

[Big money]

I introduced my neice to this game last summer.It was wonderful spending time with her on the course.Tried to get her to join summer camp golf league.She declined the invitation to do cheer leading instead

[Nmrfgomes]

My son was 4 and he started because he asked us to. He would go to the golf course a lot with y parents-in-law and that got him in to the game.

[GolfSpy MPR]

Got to walk nine with Kirke again this morning. Decided to take a video of him playing his favorite hole: a 175-yard, downhill par 4 (for him).

A great tee shot, followed by a slightly chunky hybrid and a thin 8 iron over the back of the green. From there, he hits a really deft little pitch to 6-8 feet, and rolls in the bogey putt.

[JustJacen]

I personally hit around the yard with my 3 yr old, I've taken him 3 times on the course with his plastic clubs and ball, he hits after daddy does usually 3 shots totaling 6 yard but then we get back in the cart and go to mine, but every time I hit I let him "hit" but the heat gets to him and boredom but we manage he loves it

 

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[MDGolfHacker]

I was actually in the driving range parking lot today after coming from bass pro and it was like pulling teeth to get my son to get out of the car and hit some balls (he's 7). I flat out asked him if he was interested in golfing and he truthfully said sometimes, but he said he is more interested in flag football and baseball. I didn't force him to hit balls and literally started to head home. Pretty sure it was more because I picked up an ammo pack of BB's for his BB Gun so we could do some target practice in the back yard after the range,😁...

 

MDGolfHacker

[mbrodeur86]

I am a firm believer in letting them find interest in the sport themselves. My son has autism and just turned 11 yesterday. I always wanted him to play but I also knew that my chances of him playing were slim. I started out by bringing him with me a couple of times. Had him drive the cart, get snacks etc.... And then one day he asked if I could take him golfing. He was 7. I had been bringing him since he was 6.

 

My sister in law is a great pianist. Her parents forced her to play when she was very young with her sister and her parents had these big dreams of them making it big. What really happened is that they hated it. I didn't want that with my kids. My daughter it was the same but she told me that she just liked riding the cart so I told her that was fine and never asked her if she wanted to hit a ball again.

 

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[GolfSpy MPR]

Facebook's "on this day" feature pulled this up for me this morning. It's a picture of Kirke from four years ago. That means he was just under two years old when this was taken.

 

[srooch2]

My son is 2.5 and really enjoys it, I think because I enjoy it so much but it doesn't matter. It something I hope we can always share together. I'm never gonna push him into it. I hope he finds his own hobbies and interests as well and I will support him either way.

 

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[Charli]

Daughter is a month old has zero interest. I don't understand what's wrong

[fixyurdivot]

It really depends on the child, but I say anytime they show interest.  

[DougC38]

My 4 year old son loves coming with me to the range so much I got him his own clubs... he practices with me at the house and drives my wife insane bugging about going golfing. I hope to keep him interested enough to play through school and beyond but you never know

 

Here is his first hole in one the other night at the mini putt

 

[Rickp]

My 4 year old son loves coming with me to the range so much I got him his own clubs... he practices with me at the house and drives my wife insane bugging about going golfing. I hope to keep him interested enough to play through school and beyond but you never know

 

Here is his first hole in one the other night at the mini putt

 

IMG_8311.jpeg

Kids are cool

 

 

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[DougC38]

Kids are cool

 

 

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Haha thank you! Yes they are!! I love reading through threads like this.

[GolfSpy MPR]

Daughter is a month old has zero interest. I don't understand what's wrong

I hate to be the one to say this, but if there's no interest yet at that age, it really is your fault.