As Traffic on the Course Decreases, Give the Young Ones a Club

The legendary golf instructor Harvey Penick, who coached Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and Mickey Wright, among others, suggested parents introduce children to golf through the short game.

As participation by the casual golfer wanes during the heat of August, this is perfect time to get the wee ones out on the course. Nearly every golf course has a putting green and in non-peak hours they are frequently deserted, which makes them a perfect place to take your children for a putting contest.

Of course, Penick may have had a complete understanding of the game of the golf but may not have completely the modern child, who may be willing to putt for awhile but eventually wants to swing a club with force.

Fortunately for parents, this area has a number of facilities where a parent and child can hit some golf balls together.

Probably the best is Willow Brook Golf Course in South Windsor. The par-60, 18-hole course has the best driving range around (short of private courses like Ellington Ridge). The surface is grass, which is far better than the turf mats most course force on their patrons. Also, the range is expansive enough that a young child just learning the game can find a relatively isolated space where potential injury is minimal.

Willow Brook also has an excellent putting green. Plus, if your son or daughter is inspired enough by their time on the range, a par-3 course is often the best place from them to start.

The one downside of Willow Brook is that it is a legitimate par-60 course and may be, in some places, too difficult for younger players. Also, the reputation of the course has spread and it can be difficult to find non-peak hours.

For parents eager to get their kids on a course, it might be easier to try the par-3 course at Connecticut Golf Land in Vernon, which is less expensive and features a number of holes shorter than 100 yards.

The good news/bad news is that the course is surrounded by go-karts, bumper boats and batting cages; this could make for a well-rounded afternoon of fun or could distract from the golf.

Parents, especially parents who are avid golfers, need not feel as if they need to give up on their games. Many courses, including Cedar Knob in Somers and Rolling Meadows in Ellington, offer discounts for youth golfers.

These courses both have ranges (although neither is expansive as the one at Willow Brook). Parents should call and ask for the best time to bring their young one to the course and then remain realistic about what their young golfer can do.

One way to maintain a proper pace is to allow your child to drop a ball at the same place as your second shot. When they have improved enough, you can allow them to drop a ball and play from your tee shot.

The two most important things are to make sure the kids want to be there – that this is fun for them – and that they do not feel overwhelmed either by having to rush to keep ahead of a group or by an avalanche of instruction.

Even players with single-digit handicaps are not qualified to give instruction on the mechanics of the golf swing. The best thing to do is get your child some early lessons from a PGA professional, who will teach them the fundamentals of the swing. Early lessons are the foundation of solid swing but let’s kill the suspense right away – your child is not the next Tiger Woods. A lesson will not change this.

If you are unwilling to pay for an initial lesson – perhaps you want to see if your young one enjoys the game first – then at least get a good book, Jack Nicklaus’ “Golf My Way” to name one, and focus on teaching the proper grip. Then let your kid hit the ball as hard as they are able to, which is one way to make sure they are enjoying themselves. Finesse comes later, after the lessons. Just remember, anything you teach improperly will have to be undone.

The best advice remains to start with a lesson. Most can be had for $40.

Golf is unique among sports in that it can be enjoyed across generations. The best advice of all comes from who said last spring, “teach them the rules, teach them how to behave and let them have fun.”

AROUND THE GREEN:

Tolland’s Tommy McCarthy qualified for the U.S. Amateur (Aug. 22-28 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisc.) after finishing in a tie for fourth at the qualifier at New Haven Country Club last week. McCarthy shot 70 in both rounds of qualifying to finish at 2-under. Ryan Leahey (Orange) was the top qualifier at 7-under. McCarthy was two shots under the cut line of 142.

Pairings will be announce the week before the tournament.

The Amateur is, of course, one of the most prestigious tournaments in all of golf and previous winners include Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. McCarthy plays out of Twin Hills in Coventry.