Teaching kids

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Mick Stup

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Brian,

I have an 8 year old girl who is showing some interest in golf. She likes to come to the range with me and hit balls. I've tried to show her basic stuff like how to hold the club, how to stand to it etc, but have shied away from trying to tell her how to swing it. She swings it pretty good left to her own devices and I didn't want her thinking about it too much.

Have you got any advice on what I should be doing with her? What do you do with kids that age?

Much obliged for anything you can give me.

Mick
 
J

Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
From my limited experience you have to make it fun.

Have them try and hit the ball to some target and give them a reward for it. Create games that you can play together so they don't get too bored.
 
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wanole

New
sounds like she is having fun. I think he is asking how do you go about instructions. I have the same question.
 
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Mick Stup

New
wanole said:
sounds like she is having fun. I think he is asking how do you go about instructions. I have the same question.
Click to expand...
Yes, exactly. She is having fun, but I'd like to make sure she develops the right way. Don't want to make it less fun by making it a 'lesson', but want to introduce the right things.

She's going to be my mixed foursomes partner in a few years so she needs to get good at it to carry me round!;)

Whey Hey! Just noticed I lost my 'Junior Member' tag!:D
 
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B

Brian Manzella

Administrator
Here's what you do.

Always start with the THREE-BALL Drill.

Make sure they set up the right distance from the ball, and BEHIND THE BALL LIKE A REAL GOLFER. This is very important for little ones becuase they tnd to reverse pivot to lift the club into the air.

Make sure they understand they are TRYING TO KNOCK THE BALL TO CHINA. Tell them they are the 'wake-up call' some little boy or girl in China.

They need to be shown how to get the club UP enough on the baskswing to do the above.

MAke them grab their knees together at the finish and tap their right toe THREE TIMES.

Always rest—never bounce back.

Spend time—but not too much time—posing them through a swing, esp. the backswing with a FLAT left wrist. And I mean FLAT.

more...
 
M

Mick Stup

New
Brian Manzella said:
Always start with the THREE-BALL Drill.

Make sure they set up the right distance from the ball, and BEHIND THE BALL LIKE A REAL GOLFER. This is very important for little ones becuase they tnd to reverse pivot to lift the club into the air.

Make sure they understand they are TRYING TO KNOCK THE BALL TO CHINA. Tell them they are the 'wake-up call' some little boy or girl in China.

They need to be shown how to get the club UP enough on the baskswing to do the above.

MAke them grab their knees together at the finish and tap their right toe THREE TIMES.

Always rest—never bounce back.

Spend time—but not too much time—posing them through a swing, esp. the backswing with a FLAT left wrist. And I mean FLAT.

more...
Click to expand...
Good stuff, thanks Brian, much obliged.
 
S

Spike

New
There is nothing quite like seeing a youngster go through a good set up routine. Good Grip, Good Posture, and Good Alignments. It always brings a smile to my face.
 
J

Jared Willerson

Super Moderator
Thanks for those tips Brian, my daughter uses one of my old sand wedges and has a little reverse pivot to get the club to the top. I will definately do as you suggested to get rid of it.

She has the flatest little left wrist though, it's cute. :)
 
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wanole

New
thanks Brian. I have trouble getting my 6 yr old son to stop over swinging on the backswing. Looks like Daly.
 
D

DOCW3

New
Equipment/competition

Mick Stup said:
Brian,

I have an 8 year old girl who is showing some interest in golf. She likes to come to the range with me and hit balls. I've tried to show her basic stuff like how to hold the club, how to stand to it etc, but have shied away from trying to tell her how to swing it. She swings it pretty good left to her own devices and I didn't want her thinking about it too much.

Have you got any advice on what I should be doing with her? What do you do with kids that age?

Much obliged for anything you can give me.

Mick
Click to expand...

This is probably a "given" but, since it hasn't been mentioned, get them a club with the "right" shaft and weight. K-Mart and Target now provide kids clubs at a reasonable price. I would suggest: putter, short iron and fairway metal. They can chip it around with a cut-off club but otherwise they need something light. Also, "par-3" or short executive courses are great if you have access. If they are competitive and want to keep score, not being able to compete with you can be a discouragement. A solution is to set their "par" for each hole and record over and under par-a 5 on a short hole may be their par and equivalent to your 3-on the card you are even.

DRW
 
disargio

disargio

New
Thread - Children's Clubs:

Mick,

US Kids produce the best clubs I have found
for my 5-9 year olds and 9-12 year olds.

The important thing for me is that their joints
ie, Elbows and Wrists are not being strained which
is more likely with cut-down clubs.

I also use the smaller clubs on adults to teach
them the importance of staying in the posture
and feeling the club's weight and shaft flex.

Disargio
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

New
The kids who get the hang of CF....a SWING.....seem to do best from what I see.

I think it's why Brian (I think he said this...) thinks it's good for kids to learn to swing with heavier clubs....
 
W

willgolfer

New
Just thought I'd bump this as I've started taking my 3 y/o to the driving range with me. Still hinting to get him away from the left-hand low grip (he swings right handed) but I figure maybe it's his unconscious way of learning/feeling the "flat left wrist."

He also doesn't really swing back. He lifts the club onto his right trapezius and then just takes a big rip...causes a pretty steep swing but he still gets it out there. Could be another unconscious process...learning to "hit down on the ball". He usually ends up hitting more balls than I do.

Any updates on those who've tried different ways of making it fun for the toddlers/kids?
 
D

dsmith2296

New
Start with a plastic club and nerf or plastic balls in the house. Get multi-colored indoor balls and teach him his colors while you do it. "Find a blue and smash it...now find a red and smash it!"
 
curtisj76

curtisj76

New
My 7 year old daughter is really good. She has a very smooth swing but almost casts on purpose. Today she got "called up" to play with the bigger kids in a best shot. A local pro has even caught eye of her and has made several comments to people I know in the community. My 3 year old son will be even better. Can't wait to watch these kids in a few years. It's a strong bond we will have FOREVER.
 
K

Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
willgolfer said:
Just thought I'd bump this as I've started taking my 3 y/o to the driving range with me. Still hinting to get him away from the left-hand low grip (he swings right handed) but I figure maybe it's his unconscious way of learning/feeling the "flat left wrist."

He also doesn't really swing back. He lifts the club onto his right trapezius and then just takes a big rip...causes a pretty steep swing but he still gets it out there. Could be another unconscious process...learning to "hit down on the ball". He usually ends up hitting more balls than I do.

Any updates on those who've tried different ways of making it fun for the toddlers/kids?
Click to expand...

My 5 year ols grips it crossed handed and i havent even thought about changing it yet.
 
P

puttmad

New
...

Kevin Shields said:
My 5 year ols grips it crossed handed and i havent even thought about changing it yet.
Click to expand...

He's in good company Kevin...this kid hits it 250....

TTswingseq_350x300.jpg
 
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