Summer 2016 | Sea Island Life Magazine Spring/Summer 2016 | Page 41

GET OUT
AND PLAY
WITH NEW PROGRAMS AND SIMPLIFIED
STRATEGIES FOR PLAYING A ROUND TOGETHER,
THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO
EXPLORE THE GAME OF GOLF AS A FAMILY.
BY DALE LEATHERMAN

A

s multigenerational travel continues to rise so do shared experiences
such as golfing. It’s becoming a common sight on the course to see
grandparents, who have been golfing for years, teaching the basics to
their young grandchildren as the parents work on improving their game.
Suzy Whaley, the PGA director of instruction and a former LPGA star, points out that
four generations of golfers can easily play together, even with vastly different skill
levels. “There’s no other sport in which you can do that,” she says.
Playing as a family is also another way to bond. “Golf provides families with
a unique opportunity for uninterrupted time together,” says John Wade, head
golf professional at Sea Island Golf Club. “It’s also a chance for parents to teach
honesty, accountability, following the rules, etiquette and how to conduct yourself
under various circumstances. As we know, golf is a great platform for learning
those qualities.”
Chrissy Felton, an instructor and group golf professional at the Sea Island Golf
Performance Center, is a strong advocate of family golf and has seen the numbers
increase in recent years. She has also seen new ways of playing grow out of this
trend. “When I have a family with one skilled player and two or three beginners,
I suggest playing nine holes in a scramble format to keep up the pace and allow
beginners to hit the ball under less pressure,” she says. “Everyone putts out to
get the feeling of finishing the hole. In this way, beginners learn how the game is
played and everyone has a good time.”

SPRING/SUMMER 2016 | SEA ISL AND LIFE 41