narrominded
School ’ s out for summer !! Legendary rocker Alice Cooper is a golf nut like the rest of us . His iconic song is appropriate this time of year as the kids are out of school for the next three months . While the kids aren ’ t worried too much about the plans for the summer , parents are scrambling to find activities to occupy their time .
Summer golf camps and the PGA Jr . Golf League are two great ways for kids to not only learn a little golf but more importantly get some exercise and hang out with friends .
Let ’ s talk about golf camps and what to look for in one . Let ’ s say you have a child with very little golf experience and under the age of 10 . The goal is always to get a new golfer to have fun with golf . This is especially true with kids .
Camps for kids should have a 75 % fun to 25 % teaching technique ratio . Let me explain . Golf is a slow sport , and kids love to go fast . Two hours in the summer heat chipping and putting can be a challenge for the most dedicated golfer , much less a new one who ’ s 7 years old .
Camps need to be fun , and there are ways to make sure this happens . Games and rewards are great ways to keep the kids interested . Points for
good shots and stars on hats as rewards can really get the kids ’ attention .
I like camps that would have activities other than golf involved as well . A couple of examples of this would be setting up an obstacle course and timing each child as they run through the course . Throwing a Frisbee and hitting some plastic whiffle balls is also a great way to keep the excitement going .
Golf is an athletic movement that takes strength and agility like any other sport . Not only are these other activities fun for the kids , they can also help their golf games by improving their hand-eye coordination .
Lastly , I feel getting the kids on the golf course is vital . Perhaps this could happen on the last day of the camp as we build up throughout the week . After all , playing golf on the golf course is when we ’ re really having fun .
Now , let ’ s focus on our older ones with golf experience . The PGA Jr . Golf League is modeled after the team concept where one team from a facility plays a match against another . Throughout the summer , teams move around the area and play matches against other teams . At the end of the schedule , there is one team with the most wins . That team is qualified for a regional event that can eventually lead to a national tournament with teams from across the country .
There are many positive outcomes of the PGA of America ’ s new idea . First is introducing the “ team ” concept to an individual game . The participants actually have jerseys with names and numbers that represent their home facility , much like baseball , basketball and football . Playing for a team teaches the kids about playing for one another instead of themselves and also promotes camaraderie . Another benefit is how the parents can get involved . They are encouraged to caddy for the players and truly be a part of the action . For those parents who do not want to caddy , they can walk with their children and cheer them along the way . It is truly a family event .
I certainly realize how many opportunities kids have today to stay busy throughout the summer . Travel sports , other types of camps , along with family vacations , can dominate a summer schedule . However , be sure to fit in a golf activity for your family . Whether your child has little or no golf experience or is one of the best players in the area , there are opportunities for him or her to enjoy a summer of golf .
Jake
Jake Narro , PGA professional , head golf coach at Southeastern Louisiana University and Backspin publisher
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