[ScosyGissiok]

As a side note, I had no idea which category to put this under, so I stuck with 'golf.'

As some of you know, I live in rural southern Iowa. We have a local muni course, that is not in great condition, and is a par 31. However, when I was a kid growing up (at least when we moved to this town), it had a little 1-2 week kids and juniors golf clinic. Oddly enough, my great uncle was who did all the teaching of that golf clinic. When he stopped doing that about 10 years ago (he retired), the golf clinic went away.

One, our membership is down, and a great way to get adults back on the golf course is to get their kids to want to play. Second, and more importantly, I'd like to see more kids play golf.

I'm no PGA golf pro, but I think I could handle teaching little kids through high school some basics and fundamentals. I have some pretty simple drills, and funny enough, I remember some of the drills I learned as a very small kid, like 6 years old.

I'm considering restarting this for my town. Not only will kids learn, hopefully, how to swing a golf club and play a little golf, but they should also learn about the ideals of golf like honesty and etiquette. We have an organization here in town (Optimist Club) whose sole purpose is to help kids out, like with donations for trips, they put on a month long soccer league for kids every fall, and other such activities. I'm a member of that group, and I'm considering asking for their sponsorship of this. I'd donate my time and the prizes (golf balls, bag of tees, etc).

So here is my question, have any of you actually been involved in organizing such an event, and what tips would give? For those of you who have children or simply ideas about it, what ideas do you have for what to do with these kids. I'm looking for a little more to do than two days on the practice green and the rest of the days turning the kids loose on the course. I'm looking for ideas on contests, daily and weekly, ways to keep the kids positive about the game, etc.

Thanks THP!

[Avaindimik]

Havent done anything like this, but just wanted to say I think its a great idea and applaud you for helping out the kids!

[PyncGyncliacy]

As a dad of a kid who started golfing at 3 I have been involved in many of them. Heres my advice:

1) If you are going to be working with very young kids (under age 8) you will need a high adult/child ratio like 4 or 5:1.

2) I would break the kids up by age. Perhaps 6-8, 9-12 and 12 and up

3) Keep clinics short (1-2hrs max) for the younger kids and keep each activity to 10-15min.

4) Keep it fun. Kids divide the world into 2 categories: things that are fun and things that aren't. Full swings aren't usually an issue this way but putting doesn't hold every kids interest. I would have them play games like tag (one kid who is "it" tries to tag someone elses ball in 2 strokes if they miss everyone gets 1 putt to run away again) they will play this game for a very long time and you can focus on helping the kid who is "it."

[pongeystrhjst]

Perhaps try the "First Tee" program. Even if they cannot directly support your program they may have material to guide a similar program.

Good Luck. I wish I had access to such a program when I was a kid; I might be able to play this wonderful game.

[Gogogo]

Over here in the UK you need a CRB check doing if you are working with children. I am nor sure if you need something similar in the US though


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[ScosyGissiok]

Over here in the UK you need a CRB check doing if you are working with children. I am nor sure if you need something similar in the US though

I assume that's the US equivalent of a child abuse or sexual offender registry. I don't think we have to do that here, but just to keep things safe (b/c it only takes one crazy kid to say something to get in trouble), my wife is going to help out. That has the added benefit of her being a former lifeguard, she's a current teacher, so she's good at working with kids. Plus, the lifeguard experience should help in the event that, god forbid, a kid has a health problem or injury while playing golf.

I am pretty sure I'm going to contact our local swimming pool director to view the 'waivers and consents' that parents have to sign before their kids do swim lessons. I don't anticipate any issues, but again, it only takes one kid to accidentally hit a golf ball into the face of another kid.

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts everyone, keep them coming if you have them.

[triarmarm]

Over here in the UK you need a CRB check doing if you are working with children. I am nor sure if you need something similar in the US though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk because I am away from my Mac

We have the same thing here in Canada for whenever you volunteer or work with another person.
I'd suggest you go do it anyways, up here it costs $20 for a police background check. It takes 2-3 weeks, but then it can be used to calm any nerves.

[PyncGyncliacy]

US Kids Golf http://www.uskidsgolf.com has some great materials with badges and rewards for learning skills.

As far as the background check it depends on the organization ion CA. When I have coached with the City Rec Department they require fingerprints, but neither the School or the Country Club have.