As an avid golf and father, I know how hard it can be to get out on the golf course. You want to get out on the picturesque golf course to relax and have fun, but your parental responsibilities often get in the way.
What if that was not the case? What if you can have the enjoyment of parenthood while playing the game you love. Next time you want to play, take your kids with you and introduce them to the wonderful game of golf!
Perhaps they just accompany you on your round, or even better, get them involved in the sport in a more active way. Below we are going to cover all you need to know about taking your kids to the golf course. We will also outline when and how to get them involved in the wonderful game of golf.
Will I Get Charged If I Bring My Kids If They Don’t Play?
This is a little bit of a grey area, and it really does depend on which golf course you intend to play at. Some golf courses will not let anybody accompany you during your round unless they have clubs and have paid to play. In other cases, some golf courses don’t really mind if your child, or maybe your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, or husband walks or rids the course with you whilst you play.
The bottom line here is you should check with the golf course beforehand. Different courses have different policies regarding being accompanied by a non-playing partner, though with courses always looking for green fees, the majority are unlikely to be opposed to your child accompanying you on your round.
For a more in-depth look to see if spectators can tag along for a round, check out our article “Can A Friend Come Along To Watch You Play Golf?”
What Is The Best Age To Start Taking My Kids To The Course?
As the old saying goes, start them young. By taking your child to the golf course at an early age, you will get an early indicator as to whether golf is something that they’re going to enjoy or not. If you like the idea of playing a few rounds with your child, then starting them off early in their life is also beneficial.
By introducing your young ones to the game in early childhood, they can start to learn the basics. As they age into a teenager, they should be able to develop enough to play alongside you. However, if you don’t take them to the course until they are older, they may be less interested, or have a harder time learning the game.
If you are looking to get your child involved in golf or if they have shown an interest in playing, then you really should start them as young as possible. Early school age is a great time for children to take up the sport.
How Do I Introduce My Child To Golf?
There are several ways in which you can introduce your child to golf. For many youngsters, the driving range is usually their first introduction to the game, and probably is the best place to start. The driving range allows beginners the freedom to hit shots and get a feel for the basics without the pressure of having to make a score out on the course.
The second step is finding a course that is friendly to beginners and children. Once you find a suitable course, then you could start by letting them come and watch you play a few holes. After that it is time to let them hit a few balls and attempt a few putts. Slowly give your child more challenge on the course and before you know it, they will be scoring lower than you!
Another way to introduce them to the sport is to watch on television alongside them. Watching golf on TV can be fun, and it offers a great opportunity for you to explain the rules and the basics of the game without having to worry about things going wrong out on the course.
What Are The Benefits Of Introducing My Child To Golf?
There are many benefits to getting your child involved in golf. Fortunately, golf has become more accessible to the average golfer over the past decades.
The obvious benefit from getting your child involved in golf, is that it’s a great way to spend quality time together. On top of that, you’ll be encouraging your child to get valuable activity and outdoor time which is extremely important in today’s increasingly virtual world.
Golf can also teach your children about honor and honesty. Golf is considered a gentleman’s sport for a reason. You are your own scorekeeper and judge on the course. Learning these skills at a young age can help your child develop a strong character.
Lastly, golf helps children to learn about discipline, while it can also help them to build and cultivate new skills, skills that can be transferred to other parts of life. Playing golf often involves problem solving, which can encourage children to think about things logically, which in turn, can be applied away from the course.
Final Thoughts
In summary, your child or children can accompany you to the golf course, though you should check before turning up, as there’s always a chance that some courses will not approve this.
If you are thinking of taking your kids with you to the golf course or the driving range, or you’re thinking of starting your kids out on their own playing journey, then go for it.
Golf can be a great way for kids to stay active. The game involves plenty of walking and general body movement. Golf is often a mirror for life in general, as it involves lots of ups and downs, requires discipline. Playing golf invokes both positive and negative emotions, all of which can aid a child’s development.
Hopefully you liked this article and found it informative. Check out our other blog posts if you liked this one!
