Alabama
"Arm strength is the most important. Get a very flexible
club that fits so the child does not struggle. Don't push. Let him
or her bang away until about age 10." - Gene
Diamond, Teaching Professional |
California
"I have taught kids
extensively for 25 years and have found the youngest age to be
around 5 or 6 depending on maturity level. Even at this age,
concepts must be presented in an extremely simple manner all the
while keeping in mind the idea that this is a game and should be
fun. At this age they have a lot of fun just trying to tee the
ball up. I only teach kids under 11 in a group unless they have
already been pushed into extensive lessons from overzealous
parents or instructors looking for the next Tiger Woods. I don't
believe in burning kids out which I have seen happen more often
than kids who succeeded but lost their childhood. Best of
luck." - Kati
Biszantz, Teaching Professional |
California
"Tim:
With today's junior equipment I feel as soon as they have the
mental capacity to stay focused for 10 to 15 minutes you can take
them out to hit balls. If they are under 6 don't get caught
up in a whole lot of instructional information. They will
not retain that much and won't really understand it. Let
your child watch good players and them have them copy it.
Their learning processes are more visual at a young age and not
verbal."
- Bob
Veroulis, Teaching Professional |
Florida
"Depends on if you are
considering private or group. I have had great luck with groups
from 5 and up. Private I find all depends on the attention
span of the child and the desire. One year can make a huge
difference in their desire and the only way you can find out is
test it. Do not let the professional be complacent about it however."
- Pat
Kimball, Teaching Professional
|
Florida
"Tim, age 5 or 6 is a good age to start with some golf
lessons. I would focus on the grip and set-up. After that let them
blast away. Most kids are not to concerned with technique. I would
start with a ten-finger grip. You can try a molded grip. Encourage
them on every shot. Do not over-coach!"
- John
Pallot, Teaching Professional |
Oklahoma
"As far as I am concerned, as soon as they can walk and
hold a club! Just Kidding! I don't know if there is really a
proper age. I teach many juniors throughout the year and find that
each child is different. I believe that a parent / child
relationship at a young age is a wonderful thing. Try not to
push the child too fast. Teach them the proper grip and then let
them have some fun. As the child's attention level increases and
you feel that they can hold their attention span for more than 1/2
an hour (a typical junior lesson at a young age) then at your
discretion get them started with lessons.
Remember, fundamentals are the keys to learn at that age! Good
luck and have fun learning! That includes you, too, parents!"
- David
Stewart, Teaching Professional |
South Carolina
"Parents should start teaching
fundamentals asap. Be simple and repetitive. If you are not
confident, then let a professional do it." - Doug
Weaver, Teaching Professional |
Texas
"Dear Tim: This question is
asked many times by parents of young golfers. I tell the parents
that I will give a lesson to any age child for fifteen minutes to
determine their attention span for learning. I have given
ten minute lessons to five year olds and have given thirty minute
lessons to five year olds. It all boils down to their attention
span mostly. Also, their ability to understand the concepts of the
motion of the swing, as well as, their ability to recall what was
discussed (the grip, stance and set-up). So, to answer your
question, the age is not as important as the ability for the child
to understand, comprehend and retain the information received.
Good luck Tiger(ess)!" - Dan
Howard, Teaching Professional
|
Washington DC
"Tim: There really is no right time to start a kid on
lessons. The question you should ask your child is Do you want to
take golf lessons? If the answer is yes, then do it! Even is
he or she is 5 years old. I personally wouldn't start a child off
with lessons until they are 5 or 6 years old. They just don't have
the attention span. However, take your child with you to the range
and let him or her hit balls with you. Get them one junior club
that is made for a child of their age range (US Kids makes really
good clubs that can be bought singly and are sized according to
age -- this is not an endorsement for that club, however, I just
think that they are less expensive that some others) and let them
go at it. Do show them a grip (10 finger is best) and how to
stand, and let it go at that. Just let them have fun hitting the
ball."
- Patty
Reno, Teaching Professional
|
