How old were your kids when you started taking them to the course?

[jbsap]

Evening everyone,

I have a 3 year old at home who’s shown some interest in golf on tv and hitting some balls around the yard with me. I’d love to get her out on the course with me just to expose her to the environment even if it is only for a couple holes at a time during twilight where she can help rake bunkers and hit some putts etc. 

 

how old were your little ones when they started going to the course with you and even if they weren’t playing? 

[russtopherb]

I want to say my son was 6/7 or so. He didn’t have the attention span prior to that. I believe he was 8 when he started junior group lessons and 11 when he started PGA Jr. 

[Bryce June]

Hello @jbsap,

Hope so you're having fun these days, it's great that your 3-year-old is showing an interest in golf and enjoying hitting balls with you at home. To nurture her interest, you can continue engaging her in golf-related activities in a casual and fun manner. As she grows older and her skills and attention span develop, you can gradually introduce her to the golf course environment, starting with shorter visits or playing a couple of holes during twilight hours.

Cheers,

Bryce June 

Edited August 31, 2023 by Bryce June

[Bucky CC]

I think my son was 6 when I first took him to the course.  He would hit a couple of shots but then go straight for the snacks I brought along for him.  Every kid is different, but small doses at the start so they don't get bored is probably the way to go.

[DonnieGolfs]

I took my oldest when he was about 3, it was a short par 3 course (The Loma Club, Sam Diego). He spent a lot of time wandering over to the sand traps and not much time golfing. Key is stay patient, they're kids and have no idea of the rules or etiquette. We went when the course was wide open and I let him hit when he wanted and play in the sand when he didn't. 

[DonnieGolfs]

Also a recommendation, take her over to the club later in the day, may only be time for like 3-4 holes and ask to take her out to play. The few times I've done this they just tell me to take a cart and go for free. Worth a try, locks in the short window so it's not too much on her and possibly saves you a few bucks for a round of golf that may not have a lot of golf in it.

[Josh Parker]

I have taken my 2.5 year old daughter out on the course. During the week it's slow and the wife joins. She will make it 9 holes.  Loves riding on the cart and I have her plastic clubs she will play with.  

 

[Mike B]

My son was 7 but I had taken him to the range at 5-year-old. My Grandson was 5 when my son and I took him out this year. He did pretty good. Two things though my son had taken him to the range, and he has played ice hockey since he was three. 

[Lou Caracappa]

I started aking them around 5-6 years odl and created 3 golfers.  The youngest who is now 15 kicks all our butts.  He is a AAA Hockey player with 112 mph swing speed! 

[Medic170979]

My 5 year old plays.  We primarily go to par 3 courses but he has been out to a shorter 9 hole course with me.  He has his moments and occasionally he needs to skip a hole, but for the most part he does pretty well and I keep him moving along.

Edited December 13, 2023 by Medic170979

[Lou Caracappa]

Good position at the top.  Im jealous! 

[Fgallardy12]

We've been taking my son out since he was about 1 just for some outside time and riding in the cart with my wife and me. He's had clubs most of his life of varying materials and insists to take turns hitting into our net in the backyard. He's 4 now and can last 18 holes with me and my foursome. I think it's important to have him interact with your friends and on the slow holes where you are waiting for the group in front of you to let him hit some shots or run in the bunker. Snacks are key, as is a tablet for when they finally tire out and want to lounge in the cart. Kids find it fun to do the same things are grown-ups. He also loves filling in all the fairway divots with sand and running around with my TM Spider putter bc it looks like a rocket ship. Keep it fun and fast, even kids hate slow play. 

[ChuckZ]

Never did.  I did not take up this crazy game until 1984, when I moved to S Carolina.  My daughter was 14 at that time and lived with her mother in Houston, TX and we only got together a couple times a year.  We made the most of our visits and golf was not something she was interested in.  She loved the beach.  My current wife and I made sure she had pleasant visits and did things that interested her.  She only got to visit for a short period time in the summer and at Christmas, after she had Christmas with her mom.  There is a golf course where she lives and they collect golf balls from her yard.        

[TheBrud]

I started taking my daughter when she was 4.  Mostly to low key, casual courses.  She would often get in the way, but she sure loved hitting 5 balls off the tee box and watching them roll.  She would pick up and wait to hit again until we got close to the green.  

I was surprised how fast she picked up on the rules and etiquette of golf.  I'd suggest going to a casual par 3 course when they are 3 or 4 years old and see how they do.  Lazrus has some great golf sets for 4 year olds for around 100 bucks. 

Some of my favorite rounds have been with my daughter.  So I'd definitely recommend getting your kids on the course as soon as possible.  Best of luck!

[GolfSpy_BEN]

This past spring I took my daughters, aged 10 & 8 at the time, out for a walking round of 9 holes at the local muni. They had a blast and we plan to do it more often in 2024. 

 

[golferannasmith]

Well, I don't have kids!

However, I was 13 when I first visited a Golf Course in Houston with my aunt. But my experience with the golf is way too bad at starting as this one has so much technicalities and so much to learn.

My aunt has taught me about the game and she joined me Creek Golf Club. Since my dad is in Navy so I spend a lot of time with my aunt.

[mathewsmith]

On 6/1/2023 at 3:58 AM, jbsap said:

Evening everyone,

I have a 3 year old at home who’s shown some interest in golf on tv and hitting some balls around the yard with me. I’d love to get her out on the course with me just to expose her to the environment even if it is only for a couple holes at a time during twilight where she can help rake bunkers and hit some putts etc. 

 

how old were your little ones when they started going to the course with you and even if they weren’t playing? 

my son started golf when he was 10 years old.