| One of the keys to the success of Tiger Woods as a | | | | the game, you must make it a point to go to the field |
| golfer is that growing up his father knew the system | | | | and observe whether hitting a few balls on the driving |
| of golf and generously guided him through it. Now, if | | | | range brings a smile to his face. Ask yourself if you |
| you have children and are thinking of introducing them | | | | think the sport seems to be challenging and enjoyable |
| to golf, you must be asking yourself: Where should I | | | | to your kid? If yes, the real fun has surely begun. |
| start? Who should I call? Should I purchase junior clubs | | | | To ensure that their kids learn the basics of golf |
| or get a used set of adult ones that have been cut | | | | properly, parents are usually advised to hook their |
| down to size? | | | | children up with a golf instructor during the early stages |
| Don't get ahead of yourself! Relax! | | | | of picking up the sport. If you're having a hard time |
| Golf is not a pursuit that you can simply sign your kid | | | | locating a good instructor, the local club pro should be |
| up for at any leisure club. However, this sport is | | | | able to provide you with a list of instructors in your |
| become increasingly popular, and chances are that | | | | area. If possible, watch a potential instructor with other |
| there are golf programs and clinics going on in your | | | | students before signing up your kid. Observe whether |
| area. You may want to contact a local club pro, the | | | | or not the instructor gets along with the other kids, and |
| YMCA, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the golf | | | | ask yourself if he would fit in with your child's |
| association in your area, and other civic organizations. If | | | | personality. Proper instruction will surely increase your |
| you are from the United States , the National Minority | | | | child's confidence and decrease the frustration this |
| Junior Golf Foundation, the United States Golf | | | | mentally and physically challenging sport is sure to bring |
| Association, the Professional Golf Association, and the | | | | about. An instructor will also help you regarding the kind |
| Ladies Professional Golf Association may also know | | | | of equipment to buy for your child. Experts believe that |
| how to help you. Some of these organizations are, in | | | | a 7-iron, pitching wedge and a putter are all that is |
| fact, specifically involved in programs to introduce kids | | | | required for a beginner. At this point, you can hold off |
| to golf. | | | | on the golf shoes and the designer clothes; tennis |
| Junior golf clinics are normally free to join; they are | | | | shoes and play clothes will normally suffice! |
| designed to introduce your child to the basics of golf, | | | | One disadvantage to being a junior golfer is that there |
| starting from how to grip a club, all the way to driving, | | | | are usually problems regarding a shortage of facilities. |
| chipping, and putting. Emphasis is placed on the rules of | | | | To ensure enough practice (aside from the hours your |
| the game and golf etiquette. Clinics are also known to | | | | child spends with an instructor) you might want to ask |
| dole out golf apparel, balls, and sometimes golf clubs to | | | | the club pro whether there are any slow times during |
| participants. What is more, your child may be fortunate | | | | the week that your child can slip on the course to play |
| enough to receive instruction from a seasoned | | | | two to three holes. Additionally, if there are par 3 |
| professional golfer in one of the clinics! The Black | | | | courses in your area, you should think about sending |
| Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge junior clinic | | | | your kid there. Keep in mind that the more your kid |
| has featured Mark Nance, Kenny Simms, Todd Daniel | | | | plays, the more comfortable he/ she will be with the |
| and Maria Mills in the past. And their message is: Golf is | | | | game. And, once your child has learnt the basics and is |
| for everyone. | | | | practicing regularly, the competitive juices will surely |
| Of course before forcing your children into playing the | | | | start to flow; that is when you should start inquiring |
| sport, you should take pains finding out how they truly | | | | about junior golf tournaments being held in your area. |
| feel about golf. After your child has been introduced to | | | | |