My wife and I try to get our young (8,6,4) kids out and play as much as we can but some courses don’t always like having little kids running around. Most of the time the kids understand when we don’t let them hit shots as we need to hurry to make sure we keep up. But, we at least have a good municipal here that has Sunday night family night with kids “tees” in the fairways and their own score cards.
Anyone else have courses that do anything to promote family golf?
I think Par 3 courses are a great way for young kids to learn to play golf.
I love hearing a local course has a family night because from what I can tell it is really hard to get kids out on an actual course. My kiddo is only one and a half, but we’ve been looking at private clubs and that’s one of the things I’m weighing into our decision. How early and often can I get him on the course, god willing he’s interested.
The club we like has an amazing junior program and has three days a week where they have specific tee times reserved for junior golfers. They’re accompanied by the pro and assistant pro to keep them focused and moving along. I think they play six holes, then the course opens up to regular play.
Stuff like that is important and I hope other courses in other areas do some of the same.
several courses around me set up “family tees”, usually about halfway down the fairway or so. Seems like a perfect way to get kids started! My little man is only 2 so we haven’t gotten out there together yet, but someday soon I hope!
I’ve noticed some course starting to allow foot golf. I guess this is kind of getting a family involved and maybe peaking their interest as to how real golf is played.
Check out the “First Tee” in your area. It’s great to get the kids up speed and parents are always welcome. Check website for more info at www.firsttee.org. We have six here in Pittsburgh.
I have 4 kids of my own, 14, 10, 2, and 1. My ten year old has been to lessons and enjoys it, and my 14 y/o also likes to go to the range to hit balls. There isn’t anything close by though that caters to the young ones. There is one course that is basically an executive course that we go to though and its short enough to not let the young ones get discouraged.
It can be tough when they can’t hit the ball like you can- and frustrating to get down a 380 yard par 4.
The first tee is a great option! I haven’t seen the family tees though!
Our local course has been nothing but encouraging with my son, and I’m immensely grateful for that. Kids are free until they’re 12; since my son played his first 9 hole round when he was 2, we’re getting 10 years of free golf for him.
When I bring Kirke (who’s 7) to the course, and especially if my 5 year old son also joins us, the course manager nearly always gives them a cookie or candy bar from the snack shop. It’s little things like that that make them feel totally welcome.
Each year, the course hosts a series of “kids’ golf days.” They’re pretty informal: each week, about 100 kids show up. They’re divided into groups and given rudimentary instruction, but mostly a chance to hit balls.
At what age is it acceptable to bring a little one on the course - even just along for the ride?
I have my son (7) in the first tee now and he loves it. He couldn’t stop talking about the 7 iron he got in the air last week. Rockwood (my muni) has a 6 hole short course that the First Tee uses, that my son can now play for free and I can play for $10(or free when I join). I will do several more rounds on the short course with him before I get him on the big course, and glad I can also get him in the habit of walking the course!
My course has a 6-hole course for kids with big football-golf style holes. The holes are about 60-100m so I just take a sand wedge with me and do some chipping. It’s so much fun for my 7 year old, he loves it.
I think it’s important to keep small kids off the main course unless there is no one around, which is often the case for us after about 5pm. It’s too stressful for the Dad (me) if the course is busy and I get the feeling it annoys other golfers, even if we are keeping up with pace of play.
We started when they could sit up in the cart and they would just crawl along the fringe while we putted. They loved it. Brought plastic clubs and rubber balls along when they were 2. We have had one course stop us on the first tee and say they don’t allow kids under 6, because who wants to hit a kid. I asked them what about me and they said, well you just need to watch out. They let us still play when I asked if they would refund us to leave.
To say the obvious, a lot depends on the kid. My oldest son took to the game right away, and even at two had the attention span to play nine holes. My other kids, not so much (so it ain’t a parenting thing, as far as I can see).
Kids that are wandering and not paying attention can create dangerous situations. I get why courses might not want to take that risk, but I’m really glad that our course has been glad to have my kids there since the beginning.
I’m not above putting my 3 month old in a stroller and pushing him around while I carry my clubs 
C-Twice I took my 3 yr old daughter in a stroller to the local par 3 course we have here at the city park she had a blast watching. she’s 5 now and will somewhat watch golf with me on TV its awesome
Teaching a child to love golf has got to be different than requiring them to take piano or other music lessons. 2 of my 3 children took readily to the game because they enjoyed riding or walking the course with me. I let them experience and experiment gradually with the game. They would hit a few shots or try a few putts and then we would leave it at that unless they asked for more. When they were ready and interested, they each got their own clubs to practice with. At that point, their interest in the game really took off.
I have a two and a half year old that asks to watch golf on the weekend with me. I may be to ‘blame’ but she likes to watch and often takes a nap. Very cute haha. I will let my kiddos take to the game if and when they want to. I spent last winter with indoor lessons with one and he played baseball all summer instead. No regrets though. He has a great swing, just likes the team sport more at the moment. Its a little hard to find the time to do both.