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Jacqui Nicoletti - Golf Guide For Parents And Players Susan Green - Junior Golf Journal Bullseye Cup

The putting green is the best place to introduce kids to golf by putting. Once an "understanding" is developed, close to the green chipping should be introduced. As the junior golfers get farther away from the green,the pitch shot will be introduced and finally the full swing.  Sooner or later the junior golfers will want to play a round. Many parents, as well as other players, wince at the thought. They are afraid a bad golf course experience might turn their junior golfers off to the game of golf. Brad Myers, South Texas PGA 2005 Eastern Chapter Junior Golf Award winner, gives you some hints on how to keep the game of golf fun when you first go to the golf course.

1.      Go out with your junior golfer in "non-peak" hours. At some courses this is easier to do than others.

2.      Depending on their age allow them to tee it up from the 100 or 150 yard marker on all the par fours and par fives to begin the hole. This is not as daunting for them and will help keep the group moving around the golf course.

3.      Before you start, agree with the junior golfer on what the "max score" per hole will be. This can also make each golf hole fun by making it a game. It is very important not to make a big deal if the max is hit and making the junior feel inadequate. Both the adult and the junior needs to remember "it is just a game."

4.      Before you start to play, determine what their "personal par" will be for every hole you will be playing. As the junior golfer improves obviously the "personal par" will go down.

5.      Make the putting green the goal. This is a good way for the younger junior golfers to get started and as it reads only count the shots that it takes to get to the green to determine a score.

6.      The hole does not need to be the end of the hole. What does this mean? Some smaller juniors find it more fun to hit it into a sand bunker than onto a green. This may seem counter-intuitive to many golf purists however, once you think about it, typically the sand bunkers or sand traps are smaller than the putting greens. This can only make them better later. In addition, they LOVE to climb into the bunkers and this gives us a chance to teach bunker etiquette.

7.      Keep the game fun at all costs!!! Keep a junior golf journal to continue the fun at home as well as build memories that can be looked upon forever. With so many activities available to our young people, their interest may come and go. However, by keeping it fun they will always come back to golf.