Golf is unique treat that can be enjoyed at any age. Teach a child to play and they’ll have a foundation in place for decades of enjoyment on the course alongside friends and family. This is something we saw last Month with the second Drive, Chip and Putt Championship held at Leadbetter Golf Academy Bangladesh. It was a great reminder of the enjoyment both adults and the youth themselves receive from the game.
PGA Professional Phil Chilton, the head coach at Leadbetter Golf Academy Bangladesh, wants his students to have fun learning and cultivates their interest by drawing inspiration from other athletic pursuits.
“Golf has the perception that it’s hard,” Phil said. “But it’s no different than any other sport. Sometimes we put golf on a pedestal. Hard work, proper practice and good coaching, all elements necessary to being a good athlete in any sport, are the same elements necessary in golf.”
Here are some tips to keep golf fun and exciting for junior golfers.
Find a Professional trainer– Give your child room to grow. Research your area and locate an instructor who specializes in junior golf. But too much information from too many sources can strip the joy from the process of learning how to play golf.
Group instruction works best- Rahbaz played school basketball, so he comes from a team sport background. He reflects on growing up playing little league baseball, when he looked forward to practicing for a couple of hours because it meant a chance to hang out with his buddies. With the time available between shots, golf is the most social game. Instruction should follow this lead. Kids who learn, laugh, improve and struggle together are more likely to return for more.
Younger kids need variety– You’re never too young to learn, but the smallest swingers need a mixture of activities to keep clinics and lessons fresh and exciting.
Don’t sweat the details- Solid fundamentals are important, but it’s fine for a beginner to have flaws in their grip or stance as long as they are hitting the ball, having fun and wanting to return to the course. Phil believes his students’ pleasure is more important than applying undue stress in pursuit of perfection. If the time comes, he likes to turn his pupil into the teacher, have them ask questions about why such a change might be necessary. That keeps the students invested in the decision.
Get on course – as soon as possible. Juniors who spend too much time banging balls on the driving range can easily lose interest. Besides, the golf course is where the game really comes alive, remains fun and fresh, poses a unique set of circumstances each day. A golfer understands the reason to spend quality time practicing chipping or bunker play once they’re faced with those challenges on the golf course.
Enjoy this game together- Father and son, mother and daughter walk in a driving range or putting green or on the course. Start a holiday tradition of sharing a round, and observe it whether there’s rain, sleet or wind. Watch the major championships, learn the rich history of the game and discuss your favorite players. Attend local golfing events and observe those who play the game best. Find time to play a round on a family vacation. Celebrate the good shots, forget the bad ones, laugh a lot and let each memory soak in.
Let your child decide, it’s their journey. Play golf, Stay well.
