Page 52 - Golf Champion - June 2022

[GOLF COURSE + LESSON]

olf is one of the greatest games ever played, and what For kids interested in learning golf, the best thing
Ga joy it can be to introduce it to a child. Golf offers parents can do is support their interest and provide
many valuable life lessons and skills, including patience, good coaching lessons on a regular basis. Lessons can
determination, and humility. It’s challenging, yet one of be once per week or twice per month and can be as
the most rewarding games out there. short as 30 minutes. Make sure they have clubs that are
appropriate for their size. Junior golfers don’t need a
For parents looking to get their kids into golf, Master full set of clubs when they are first starting out.
Instructor Laird Small, from the world-renowned Pebble
Beach Golf Academy, has compiled four tips to help 3. Practice Makes Perfect
junior golfers get started. To get good at something, you must practice. Teach
beginners to learn from their experiences, and put
1. First, Have Fun those lessons to good use. If they are putting, take three
Remember, golf is a game, and all games should be balls to a target – let’s say a 10-foot putt. If their first
fun to learn and play! By making the environment safe putt was to the right of the target, ask them what they
both physically and emotionally, kids will be more would do differently on the next putt – and see what
eager to learn about the game. Keep in mind that they they come up with. This allows them to learn from
may hit more bad shots than good at the start, but stay their efforts and enables them to figure out what to do
positive and continuously encourage them. Remember better next time. It is also important to realize that the
that junior golfers are growing each day they continue attention span of beginning junior golfers is short, so
to play. keep changing the skills. Hit balls on the range for 5
minutes, go putt for the same amount of time, and then
2. Sign Up for Lessons go chip.

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