When introducing kids to golf, you need to keep FUN as the main goal.
If you throw in all of the rules and all of the golf talk, then you will make it boring and they will not enjoy it. If you allow a child to enjoy playing golf, then they will grow to love it forever!
Making a child practice for hours and hours will quickly overwhelm a child. Let them practice for small amounts of time, such as 30 minutes, at first. This will help them stay motivated to practice.
Let them hit the ball hard at first. This will make it fun for them. Don’t stress about the correct grip when they are just beginning. Just show them how to keep the right hand under the left hand and let them swing away!
Also, encourage them to keep their feet on the ground during their follow through.
If you want to purchase a child’s set of golf clubs, that is okay, but a used set of women’s clubs will work just as well. They are light and will work great for kids. You only need a woman’s 6 iron, 9 iron, 3 wood, and a putter to start.
Let your child start by playing games chipping and putting. This will allow them to get the feel of the club and the ball. Kids will enjoy bouncing the ball off the wedge to try to hit leaves or twigs.
To keep them motivated, you might want to try some fun contests and games. You will want to avoid pressuring them too early. Allowing your child to enjoy the game will make them want to play instead getting frustrated and quitting.
Encourage your child and they will enjoy playing with you. If you start demanding them to win or overemphasizing competition, then will lose their interest in golf very fast.
Children will progress when they are ready to. If you will let them do this at their own pace, you can help prevent burnout. Don’t force a child to play golf. Playing golf should be fun and full of enjoyment. Have fun with them and playing golf!
If your child really seems to be interested in golf, then you may want to consider golf lessons or a golf camp especially for children. If you want a private instructor, make sure that you watch them teach children first. You want someone that will encourage your child and that is good at teaching children.
If is very important to teach your child golf etiquette. Teach them that it is not acceptable to talk when someone else is swinging. Stand still. Don’t walk in front of someone swinging. Don’t walk in front of someone’s line or through their line.
Don’t criticize them. Praise the shots and swings that they make. Encourage them in the correct methods, but don’t dwell on their incorrect shots.
If you completely focus on the important parts of golf – enjoying it and learning the basics – then you may have a child that can compete with you on the golf course and who enjoys golf for the rest of their life.
More about golf for beginner
A very good blog for family how2guide
Monday, March 27, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Get A Grip
Dozens of different factors play into a good golf shot —— grip, posture, stance, balance, swing, concentration, and many more. But it all starts with the right grip. Though there are a variety of different grips for different purposes, here are some steps to start out right.
"Top hand holds, bottom hand throws" is a catchphrase heard among experienced golfers. Keep that in mind, for all the following (Notes: Steps assume a right-handed golfer):
Step #1 With the golf head down, grip using only the last three fingers and the pad of your left hand. Grasp with your left hand and adjust the club so the grip is in your fingers, not your palm.
Step #2 Make sure your left hand thumb is straight down. The point where your thumb meets your hand should be near the top of club.
Step #3 Now grip with the fingers of your right hand. Note the small vertical crease in your right palm near the wrist. Overlap the creases of your hands.
Step #4 Grab the pinky of your right hand with the index finger of your left. Note the index finger and thumb of right hand. You should see a 'V' where they meet. That vertex (the point where they meet) should point to your right shoulder.
Step #5 Make sure your right thumb is not running straight down the club but instead is pointed slightly toward your right shoulder.
Those are the five basic steps. Now let's check some qualifications and exceptions, and other important items.
Check #1 Players with large hands should use an overlapping grip, with the right pinky finger resting between and on top of the left hand's forefinger and middle finger. (See Step #4)
Check #2 Players with smaller hands should use a 10-finger grip, with all fingers on the grip like a baseball grip. This is an exception to the general rule of Step #4.
Check #3 Players with medium-sized hands should use an interlocking grip, with the pinky on the grip, but between the middle and forefinger of the left hand.
Check #4 To double-check that your grip is correct, make sure you can see three of your knuckles on your left hand.
Check #5 Hold the club lightly, but firmly with both hands. The more relaxed your grip, the straighter and farther you'll hit the ball.
Don't squeeze the life out of the club. To ensure you avoid this, extend your target arm. Hold the club at an angle in front of you with the heel pad of your left hand on top of the handle. This puts the club across the top joints of the fingers (where the fingers meet the hand). The heel pad supports and traps the club, relieving you of the need to hold it in a death grip.
Some final words of wisdom:
One of the most common errors among golfers is a weak lead-hand grip (left hand for the right-handed golfer). This produces a shot that slices and lacks power. So later, we'll cover how to avoid slicing.
Left wrist and forearm strength are critical to golf success, so we'll discuss some good exercises elsewhere. But for now a simple daily routine is to hold the club straight out in front of you using the last three fingers of the left hand. From the wrists, move the club up and down 10-12 times. Three controlled sets without bending the arm will strengthen your muscles and get the proper motion into your muscle memory.
Practice daily, and try to build up to a consistent grip.
"Top hand holds, bottom hand throws" is a catchphrase heard among experienced golfers. Keep that in mind, for all the following (Notes: Steps assume a right-handed golfer):
Step #1 With the golf head down, grip using only the last three fingers and the pad of your left hand. Grasp with your left hand and adjust the club so the grip is in your fingers, not your palm.
Step #2 Make sure your left hand thumb is straight down. The point where your thumb meets your hand should be near the top of club.
Step #3 Now grip with the fingers of your right hand. Note the small vertical crease in your right palm near the wrist. Overlap the creases of your hands.
Step #4 Grab the pinky of your right hand with the index finger of your left. Note the index finger and thumb of right hand. You should see a 'V' where they meet. That vertex (the point where they meet) should point to your right shoulder.
Step #5 Make sure your right thumb is not running straight down the club but instead is pointed slightly toward your right shoulder.
Those are the five basic steps. Now let's check some qualifications and exceptions, and other important items.
Check #1 Players with large hands should use an overlapping grip, with the right pinky finger resting between and on top of the left hand's forefinger and middle finger. (See Step #4)
Check #2 Players with smaller hands should use a 10-finger grip, with all fingers on the grip like a baseball grip. This is an exception to the general rule of Step #4.
Check #3 Players with medium-sized hands should use an interlocking grip, with the pinky on the grip, but between the middle and forefinger of the left hand.
Check #4 To double-check that your grip is correct, make sure you can see three of your knuckles on your left hand.
Check #5 Hold the club lightly, but firmly with both hands. The more relaxed your grip, the straighter and farther you'll hit the ball.
Don't squeeze the life out of the club. To ensure you avoid this, extend your target arm. Hold the club at an angle in front of you with the heel pad of your left hand on top of the handle. This puts the club across the top joints of the fingers (where the fingers meet the hand). The heel pad supports and traps the club, relieving you of the need to hold it in a death grip.
Some final words of wisdom:
One of the most common errors among golfers is a weak lead-hand grip (left hand for the right-handed golfer). This produces a shot that slices and lacks power. So later, we'll cover how to avoid slicing.
Left wrist and forearm strength are critical to golf success, so we'll discuss some good exercises elsewhere. But for now a simple daily routine is to hold the club straight out in front of you using the last three fingers of the left hand. From the wrists, move the club up and down 10-12 times. Three controlled sets without bending the arm will strengthen your muscles and get the proper motion into your muscle memory.
Practice daily, and try to build up to a consistent grip.
More information about golf
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Golf Tips from Harvey Penick
- Harvey Penick, known as America’s Best Loved Golf Teacher, offers the following advice for golfers.
- Practice your swing without a ball. Swing your 7-iron at a certain blade of grass until you hit that spot consistently.
- Try not to be nervous about playing your game. Change, “I have to play today” to “I can’t wait to play today!” Have fun playing golf!
- When choosing a putter to chip, try this tip. Toss a ball close to the hole underhanded. Then ask, “Which club will create the same path of flight and results?” Choose the club that will give you the same results.
- Use your intuition when choosing clubs or making a shot. The right club to use is the first club that comes into your mind. Try not to second-guess yourself.
- Try not to listen to your opponents. Concentrate on your own game.
- Many of the challenges that golfers have with their swings is due to an incorrect grip or stance. Practice these basics when your game seems to be off.
- To alleviate tension and aid in concentration, practice hitting leaves or twigs.
- After you hit a bad shot, you don’t have to make an adjustment immediately. If you start to have a pattern of bad shots, then try a grip change.
- Take your time making a shot. Don’t rush a shot. When you are ready, hit the ball.
- Stick with your decision. When you are decisive, the rest of your body will follow through with what it is expected to do.
- Keep your eye on the whole ball, not just a part of it.
- Be sure you have eye check ups regularly.
- Rotator cuff area pain is a very common golf injury. Penick says to ice it after you are done playing golf. It may also help to circularly swing your arms slowly while you are playing.
- This can help prevent your muscles from getting tight.
- Don’t swing too hard. Try to believe that your ball will go a far distance if you swing correctly and solidly and that will miraculously happen.
- It is very important to keep your left arm straight upon impact.
If you are looking for an enjoyable and inspiring book to read about golf, check out HARVEY PENICK'S LITTLE RED BOOK: LESSONS AND TEACHINGS FROM A LIFETIME OF GOLF, Penick’s books will make you happy and you will get some great tips too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
