From Mini Golf Games to...

Champion of the world!

I am often asked the question,

"What’s a good age to start a toddler on golf lessons?"

I always wince a little at this and curse Tiger Woods for starting so young.

"Toddler golf lesson!"

"Oh no, run for cover."

"OK, how old is he?"

"WHAT?"

"He’ll be three in a couple of months."

"Wonderful!"

In pre-TIGER-historic times we simply said,

"Yeah, 7 or 8 for boys and at least 10 for girls."

It’s a different world today. I wish it wasn’t but the powers that be suggest that if you don't send them out with their junior golf clubs and they’re not superstars by the age of ten, they’ll not make it.

There are of course a few reasons for this.

Michele Wie who is now 19 was already breaking par at this age and was competing with the LPGA players at the young age of 15.

The Maguire twins, from Ireland, who took 1st and 3rd places in the 2006 under 12's world championships at Pinehurst, N.Carolina are also achieving wonder scores.

And of course Tiger Woods who was breaking all records as a toddler.

Therefore the answer to this must be approached carefully. I do however have a rehearsed response, which I find takes the edge off an otherwise tricky situation. Here’s how I normally reply to the earlier question,

"What's a good age to start"

I tell them the following,

"There’s is no standard answer to this, but until a toddler starts school and is completely aware of what a teacher is, I think Mum and Dad fill the teaching role the best. This is my honest opinion as a father and a coach."

Most aspiring parents don’t really like the answer but they have no real argument to the wisdom or logic within. However, regardless to advice, they send them to lessons anyway.

It must be said at this point that parents can do a great coaching job regardless of their experience. I hope these pages fill in any gaps on the how to's. Read on this link how a kids golf lesson can be so much more fun if it can be carried out at their level.

Now take Leela, she asked me at around age 4 when she would be able to take part in the group mini golf games for toddlers that I ran at our course. I gave her the above answer about knowing what a teacher is, to which she simply said,

"Oh right, OK then."

Without another mention of this she approached me three years later at breakfast and simply said,

"OK Dad, I now understand what a teacher is and would like to start the group lessons like you promised."

Well I almost fell off my chair. Had my golf hypnosis techniques taken hold or what. My little sweetheart had taken my answer to the word and was now ready to take up golf. Click here to read more on this.

Leela's Short Course Seasons 2003-4 (age 8-9)

Leela's First Playing Season 2005 (age 10)

Ladies Club Champion 2006 Part 1 (age 11)

Ladies Club Champion 2006 Part 2 (age 11)

Single Figure Handicap.

Ladies Club Champion 2007 Part 1 (age 12)

Ladies Club Champion 2007 Part 2 (age 12)

Ladies Club Champion 2008 (age 13)