Kids - What and when to team them

[usmale]

Hi all

I had been asking some questions with relation to the best clubs to give a six year old on another link, but also need some advise on further coaching

My Lad has reached the age where I want him to do a bit more than try and welly the ball as far as he can, (6) so far I have taught him stance, grip and alignment and correct him after every 5 shots or so. I have tried to just let him enjoy himself up to now. He does enjoys the game and wants to get out on the course, What should I be looking to teach him next, I have started him on chipping into a small pool of water in the garden, he likes the splashes & we play war by putting at toy tanks and solders in the living room, His hits the ball well but lacks control, Im not trying to find the next Tiger Woods but do want him to learn the game as early as possible.

Thanks in advance
Ed

[slf]

Re: Kids - What and when to team them

I am sorry I dont know the answer! our club has lessons for kids starting from 3 years old, the pro's name is Chris, Stevenage golf Uk. give him a call, he is very helpful guy and I am sure he will advice you.
by the way at what age did you start teaching him?

[usmale]

Re: Kids - What and when to team them

He started at 4 but only really been teaching him for past 12 months

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Kids - What and when to team them

A great age to start him out. Keep him going on the basics as we all return to those when we run into trouble with our swing. My 10 year old has been hitting a cut down 7 iron for two years. I wont allow him any other club much to his annoyance. However, this discipline is now paying off and he is becoming habitual with the club as well as his general set up. If you get him to accept this theory it will make it so much easier for him as he gets older. He will probably thank you for your sensible approach when he is on the tour!

Cheers,
Robert

[shootin4par]

Re: Kids - What and when to team them

the first thing I will say is NEVER tell him to keep his head still or head down, once you do that you will mess him up for good. and if somesone ever says that too him you tell him it is wrong and ignore it. the head should flow as the body moves it

I have a nephew who is five and what I do is this,
go to the range and ask him to just watch me hit three balls, tell him to watch my preshot routine, set up, etc... Kids learn A LOT by just watching because their brain takes a metal picture and you tell a kid to "do this" and you show him then he will do it. a kid will not ask if the hips fire first or the arms dropp, etc......

from there I tell him to stand behind the ball, look at his target, walk up to the ball and look at his target and makes sure the club face points to his target. after that I leave him alone and let him have fun. If you want to work with him a little more between every ten balls he hits you have him watch you hit three, and you better do it right because you are the example

have him watch you, teach him a VERY SIMPLE preshot routine, and let him have fun. You might be suprised what he figures out on his own, or digs out of the dirt

[bill reed]

Re: Kids - What and when to team them

hi robert
you should of gave your son a cut down 2 iron like sevi had, see what it did for his game, he had to chip, putt and drive with it, made him think about how to use the club face and how to open and shut it to give him the shots he needed.
just a thought lol
bill

[vp27519]

Re: Kids - What and when to team them

Hi Ed aka USMALE,

I've been reading the replies to Liam's post. I would like to add to your thread here.

You got to make it fun for your child. Their attention spans as we all know are very short.

I read in a Golf Digest that kids should not be taught mechanics at an early age. Kids mimic and will learn from reading and watching. Lessons should be from early teenagehood.

I take my two boys to the course with me. I let them chip, putt and hit balls. What ever they want. I only teach them etiquette and safety issues. When they tell me they're tired or don't want to do it anymore, we leave.

At home we play games in the yard or paddock. We hit balls under and over objects, around trees and so on.

My eldest is starting to mimic me - it's great to see. He had a little mate around and was showing him how to hit. He said you needed to take a practice swing before you hit the ball. He did my pre shot routine.

This is the girl in me - it was cute to see.

When my boys get to an age where they become serious and want to learn more. I'll take them to my coach.

Nicole