If a 2-year old walked up to you and said....

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Ryan Smither

Super Moderator
make me a championship caliber golfer, how would you shape and mold their game throughout the next 20 years....????

As always, all opinions welcome.

This has always been an interesting topic to me, it would be great to hear others speak from experience.
 
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EdZ

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I'd start by having them learn to toss a ball into a bucket at 5,10,20 feet etc until they knew what a smooth toss was

I'd have them do it on one foot next....

rule number 1 - Balance
 
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Ryan Smither

Super Moderator
okay, I guess my question is a lil more golf oriented. interesting replies though.

Would you let them learn to PLAY first? For example, allow them to create their own swing and tweak it themselves. Learn how to actually play the game rather than jump straight into swing mechanics.

Or would you start CREATING right away?
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
i think you give them a golf club and tell them to have fun and once they become old enough to really put some actual learning time into the game then you teach them
 
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densikat

New
Children have the amazing ability to copy what they see accurately. Like Denny said, get them to watch good players and play with other good juniors. I would give very little in the way of technical advice.
 
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Mathew

Banned
quote:Originally posted by densikat

Children have the amazing ability to copy what they see accurately. Like Denny said, get them to watch good players and play with other good juniors. I would give very little in the way of technical advice.
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You are kidding right about the very little technical advice....

The best way to get kids is to have a routine and perhaps more importantly an incentive to get them to actually do the work.... You need to teach them - how to set up and exercises to do... and never move on till the first one is completed perfectly....

Also letting your child have a few extra £$ for a sunk putt or an accurate drive ....

Keep them away from other juniors and if the child develops fast, create a shelter to the outside world and let the kid think that this is 'normal'. The first sign with children that their learning curve is going to slow down is when they start to think they are good at it. This doesn't mean lack of encouragement and occassional modest praise.

You should gently push your child- childrens minds often go in phases - you have to help him keep focus. Remember Focus means success.

Lastly - make sure the kid is always having fun....
 
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densikat

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That sounds like some strange training camp Mathew.

So the kid can't play golf with his friends? He must focus his mind on striving for success in golf at the age of 5?

What about, here's a club ... here's how to hold it.. now go have some fun?
 
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EdZ

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I agree with Steve and densikat... if it isn't fun (for them, not you), what's the point?

Interestingly, the USA Kids Golf folks are in town (Williamsburg), and I saw a couple kids last night at a local range that could really swing very well - one in particular, couldn't have been more than 7 or so and was hitting the ball with excellent control. Fun to see.
 
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Ryan Smither

Super Moderator
What about a 12 year old that has never picked up a club before? Do you tell him to "go have fun," or do you "get technical"?
 
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EdZ

New
At 12, you can 'start' to get more specific - but I wouldn't get them caught up in positions, only in a pure swinging, balanced motion, perhaps some club throwing ;)
 
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nevermind

New
mathews post sounds good to me.. as in this hypothetical the kid said " make me a championship caliber golfer", not "can you show me how to play golf it looks like fun daddy"
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
I teach quite a few Junior Golfers.

Since 1982 I have taught 100's of 'em.

I can get people to make very professional swings at the ball and hit it good enough to impress even Ben Doyle.

I am very disapointed in my long term results, however.

I am NOT the kind of teacher (or guy) that keeps trying the same thing over and over if it does not work BETTER than anyone else's 'program.'

I have try several approaches and I have a VERY educated opinion on what doesn't work.

Such as :

Parents who can't play at all teaching their kids.

Parents making their kids play and (or) take lessons.

Modern Junior "Tour" Programs.

Equipment that is TOO short and or TOO light.

Here's my list on what TO do:

Lessons with a very good teacher who is GREAT with kids, weekly, very short sessions, esp. for little ones (maybe 5 min. MAX).

Lots of on course time at a young age, but only for a breif time.

Tournaments that are spaced FAR FAR apart and only if the junior has a chance at SOME success.

Playing 'down' at least one in a while.

Playing 'up' one a year ONLY after they have success playing 'level'.

NOTE: VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

If they CAN'T have success...DON'T let them play in a tournament or on a golf course or from a set of tees unless you apply the "play Up/Level/Down" program listed above.

Keep them away from people who always run them down IF they (your Junior golfer) can't or doesn't routinely beat the naysayers (then it HELPS).

Repeat this once a week: "It's a LONG race....we are in it to win if you want to win....the turtle beats the rabbit a bunch"

Just like your host has done with his teaching career ;)
 
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cbrentsmith

New
I have taken about 6 years off from the game after a collegiate golf career and short stint on the Hooter's tour but have a almost 4 year old that is absolutley obsessed and has brought me back to the game.

For the past 2 years I have encouraged him to only putt and chip. He spends a lot of time downstairs putting and at the course now chipping. I continue to stress to him that the priority of the game is to get the ball in the hole and on certain days it is not going to be pretty but they do not draw pics on the number you post. I have started helping him with grip and stance lately but have not tried to make it NOT fun for him. I will give him little bits of advice from time to time but want him to enjoy it and as he gets old enough and strong enough to get the club in proper position I will then start to focus on that side of things.

Just my opinion on the subject
 
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keygolf

New
I recommend that anyone interested in teaching children (or any age group, for that matter) anything should at least read what Erik Erikson wrote about the eight stages of development in human life, which is cast in learning tasks, dictated by Mother Nature (It's genetic). Those are classic, validated and enter all learning tasks. Then gather all you can about the four normal, basic behavior styles, since that will affect the levels of presentation for all people, especially children.
 
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