help a 5 year old

[shootin4par]

I just started playing with my nephew about 3 weeks ago on the "big holes". He is 5 1/2 and I must say when you watch him whiff, shank, chunk, and then pure a shot, that is really cool. last time out he hit 3 shots with his five iron that traveled between 80-100 yards, of course it rolled out half the distance. Standing to the side and hearing his compression on those shots, you could tell he sustained the lag and watching the ball sail by is a really cool feeling. I am just not sure how he can whiff three times in a row and then pull off a shot like that, but that it kids for you. So I am asking for tips on how to help a little one get the most out of his game, while keeping it simple and fun. Would a split hand grip help his stability? I have him standing wide and after he places the club down he looks at his target, it is the cutest thing. So right now all I got him doing is stand behind the ball, look at target, walk up to it and look at the target and make sure the club is pointing there, then hit. any advice appreciated. BTW, would the greenskepers get mad that I let him play in the sandtrap after the final hole, there was no one left on the course?

 

[Jared Willerson]

My kids and I just chip and pitch in the yard, and try to break stuff and hit it in the trees. They are 5 and 2 and we have a lot of fun.

I think it's pointless to even 1/10th take it serious till they are about 9 or 10, However, programs like the first tee, really get them off on the right foot with fun, etiquette and learning to play.

 

[Ricky1990]

Shootin, I think just let him do what the hell he wants to do with the way he hits the ball, the way he swings the way he prepares for each shot.

Otherwise you will find he will start going off the game because he is starting to think about the swing and how to grip the club and stuff.

Just let him do what he wants to do.

thats my advice!

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

have him watch lots of videos of great ballstrikers and let him learn visually and create games for him so that he has something to try and win when playing or practicing.

 

[shootin4par]

have him watch lots of videos of great ballstrikers and let him learn visually and create games for him so that he has something to try and win when playing or practicing.

this is the kind of stuff I was looking for. I know some people do it but I am not going to drill sergant the kid, I just figured there would be some easy tips on helping the kid pick it up a little better. When we hit range balls all I try and get him to do is look at his target and make the club face point there. He ususally stays on task with it pretty well so it is not like I talk to him between every one or two shots. He also takes the suggestions pretty well so he is capable of incorperating minor things. I also ask him to watch me hit balls, not the best swing in the world but not the worst either. Last time we were out he wanted to play from the blue tees, where his shot would have to go over the hazard for about 15 yards. I told him he could try that with one ball. So what does he do, hits it fromt eh tee to about 25 yards away from the hazard, hits it 5 yards, another 5 yards, again, again untill he is about 2-3 yards from the hazard, then hits it right over the hazard. that was pretty cool, he was so excited that he hit it over the water

 

[rundmc]

this is the kind of stuff I was looking for. I know some people do it but I am not going to drill sergant the kid, I just figured there would be some easy tips on helping the kid pick it up a little better. When we hit range balls all I try and get him to do is look at his target and make the club face point there. He ususally stays on task with it pretty well so it is not like I talk to him between every one or two shots. He also takes the suggestions pretty well so he is capable of incorperating minor things. I also ask him to watch me hit balls, not the best swing in the world but not the worst either. Last time we were out he wanted to play from the blue tees, where his shot would have to go over the hazard for about 15 yards. I told him he could try that with one ball. So what does he do, hits it fromt eh tee to about 25 yards away from the hazard, hits it 5 yards, another 5 yards, again, again untill he is about 2-3 yards from the hazard, then hits it right over the hazard. that was pretty cool, he was so excited that he hit it over the water

I talked to a dude that said he gave his kid a quarter for every shot he could chip/pitch into a bucket. Said the kid about broke his azz after a couple of months.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Here ya go....

#1 - Set them up really well every time, any grip is OK as long as the hands are close together (Including cross-handed for the little ones).

#2 - Tell them to HIT DOWN ON THE BALL (pose them in a backswing that make it possible ONLY if they need it).

#3 - Show them a good finish, esp. knees together, straight left left and SPUN UP ON THE RIGHT TOE. (tell them to tap the right toe three times at the finish)

#4 - DON"T GIVE THEM CLUBS THAT FIT PERFECT, always FUDGE toward long and heavy a little bit.

#5 - Make 'em play it DOWN!

#6 - Start them about 100 or 150 from the green (little ones about 50) and get them to HOLE OUT!!!

#7 - Throw a small bucket of balls in a bunker and tell them, "When you get them all out, you get a snowball (or another treat).

#8 - Take 'em just to PUTT every now and then including REAL PUTT-PUTT® brand mini golf.

#9 - Take 'em to a PGA Tour event on practice round day (or pro-am day).

#10 - Never MAKE 'EM go, make 'em finish, or anything like that. If you love it, really love it, they either will or they won't, but I'm betting on will.

 

[birdie_man]

Great post!!

#4 - DON"T GIVE THEM CLUBS THAT FIT PERFECT, always FUDGE toward long and heavy a little bit.

Ah icic....so no US Kids Golf means.....lagging clubhead takeaway....a SWING.....lag.....

 

[shootin4par]

thank you for the replies guys