Junior Golf: Learn to Play by Playing to Learn

Junior Golf: Learn to Play by Playing to Learn

Little did I know growing up, hitting plastics golf balls in my backyard, putting on a homemade dirt putting green with a tin can for a hole, did I realize how “playing” golf would allow me do what I do today. I now make a living helping others learn how to “play”. There is no greater joy than to give all that I have learned about golf to a young golfer just getting started. I try my best to allow them to explore and to learn not by just giving them verbal instruction but by allowing them to learn through self-discovery and play. Kids are great imitators and love a good challenge. Give a kid detailed instruction about the golf swing and watch their eyes glaze over and their excitement about the game fade away. If a child watches good players, most times they will pick up the game in the same natural way kids learn, by watching and trying. I like this plan. Take a child to a golf tournament, and it really does not matter if it is a junior tournament, professional, or amateur. Find a video of a top player hitting some shots and then have them imitate them as best they can. At Swift Results Golf Center, the “Extreme Junior Golf Program” is different than most. The program has been successful on developing motor skills through activities and games as well as the basic golf fundamentals of a good grip, stance and balance. Below are a few of the activities that I use to help Junior Golfers develop their skills.

1.       Make swings kneeling down, then try to hit a few that way.

2.       Hit some Chip Shots while balancing on only your front leg.

3.       Make underhanded tosses to a basket 10 feet in front of you, first with your eyes open, then with them closed.

4.       Make practice swings while standing on a 2x4 to practice your balance, then hit some balls if you dare to while standing on the same 2x4!

5.       Most importantly, make it fun and learn to play by playing to learn!