Comments for Golf Speak

Comment on Murphy’s Law by busymom

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:45:08 +0000

I am in Singapore too and just cannot get over this weird weather!! Where is the sun???

Comment on What should I look for in an instructor of kids golf? by Bob

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 07:42:25 +0000

Someone with a lot of patience and can make the game fun!!!

Comment on What qualifies as a child-friendly golf course? Does anyone have any recommendations? by Bob

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 07:38:59 +0000

Palm Resort, Melati course in JB, Malaysia - is a good course for kids. It is not a walking course and there is very little water hazard. At the same time, it is very cheap during the weekday.

Comment on What qualifies as a child-friendly golf course? Does anyone have any recommendations? by Administrator

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:17:23 +0000

Thanks Bob. These are all good suggestions. Do you have any suggestions for golf courses within the Asian region? I hear that Thailand is less rigid in terms of kids on the course?

Comment on What qualifies as a child-friendly golf course? Does anyone have any recommendations? by Bob

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 08:49:01 +0000

Before selecting a child-friendly golf course to play, I think it is important to select the right environment so the kid will have a positive experience during the introduction of golf. If he/she is a beginner, you should pick a week day when the course is not crowded. Second, don’t play golf when the weather is not good, golf is difficult sports to begin with, adding Mother Nature into the picture is not a good idea, third, don’t add strangers into the group; your kid may get intimidated. Select the course that is fairly short in length… I suggest a par three courses will be a good start. The important thing – golf is fun game and make sure you project a positive experience at end of the day.

Comment on Teaching Kids to Play Golf by BrandonKTO

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:14:57 +0000

Great question. There are different views for Jr. Golf that some say early as you can (i.e. like Tiger) and some say wait. Myself the answer is usualy about 6 years old is a good age to begin your child in the game of golf. Let them hit balls as early as you like, but do not begin INSTRUCTION until at leaset 6 years old. The mind of a 4 year old has not developed to the point of being able to comprehend golf and its complex technique and movements.

As far as where to start with the instruction, my own opinion is as follows.

1) Teach kids to hold the club properly.
2) Teach proper turn of the shoulders, posture & movement.
-Relate to baseball, frisbee anything the child has experience with.
3) Teach young golfers to hit the ball as far as they can.
-You can always teach a long hitter control, but very often can not teach an accurate hitter how to gain length.

I hope this was helpful and best of luck to you and your Jr. Golfer! Any more questions I’d be happy to answer.

Brandon J. Dunham
Golf Professional/Cert. in Advanced Teaching

Comment on Teaching Kids to Play Golf by BrandonKTO

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 18:15:08 +0000

That is a great question! I would like to first start with the age, children have been shown to have the best golf “learning ability” at the age of 6 years old. Before 6 children have a hard time grasping the concepts of the game, let alone rules and regulations.

From age 6 to age 8 children should be taught to hit the ball, and hit the ball hard. A professional should know, yet we do not always agree upon teaching strategy. If you are teaching kids on your own, its important to teach them to hit the ball solidly, and as far as they can. They can be taught to control length later on, but you can’t teach lenght to students who never had it to begin with. They will always be in control mode, as that is how they started and what you learn first, becomes the foundation for the rest of their learning.

Leave the rules for the course. Teach them actively as children begin to play, maybe starting with one hole at a time. Then two, then three etc.