Golf Trip Tips: Teaching your tots the wonders of golf

Teaching your kids to play golf during your golf trip can be both challenging and rewarding. Starting as early as few years old, there is an ample opportunity for your kids to develop their games recreationally and competitively.

Before them get a grip on their clubs and swing away, consider some suggested precautions:

1. Kids want to have fun

No matter how you fast you want your kids learn the sport, always remember that kids become excited to what their doing when they're having fun. So, avoid giving complicated instructions, lecture or advice. Instead, let them play on their own and allow them discover the sport. When you're on golf vacation, always remind yourself (and your kids) that this is just a game.

2. Maximize the practice time

Practice late at night or at times when the course is not crowded. This way, you won't have to worry if your kids want to hit the golf ball and chase it.

3. Give them the right equipment

The problem that most juniors encounter is that they have been given clubs that are long and heavy, which can make the game difficult. Thus, find a club relative to their height and it will be less difficult and should result in less frustrations.

4. Don't give them lessons right away

At least not until they are 5 or 6 years old, don't try to teach and them the right way of swinging a club. When you add instructions into the mix too early, you'll run the risk of making the fun too much work, losing the interest of your kids. Instead, let them hit the club how they want.

5. Make them play in an actual game

Instead of using a practice greens and range all the time, walk on the course. It will heighten their curiosity about the game. Once they do, introduce them to a competition. Kids love the little things like chipping and putting contests.

6. Be supportive (instead of being critical)

Once they join a tourney, and whether they hit good or bad shots, always be supportive. Be less like coach and more of a cheerleader. And after the game, remind them of their good shots rather than the bad ones.

7. Give them rewards

Whether they win or lose, if they reach a new personal best, or overcome a difficult opponent, reward their effort and individual progress. Kids love the encouragement from their family. A milkshake or ice cream afterwards, perhaps?

After all, they are kids and playing golf is a game. So, what you can do, most importantly, is to support them when they struggle and be enthusiastic when they succeed.