Where to Start If Your Kid is Interested in Golf

For parents of junior golfers, or parents looking to get their kids into the game, the road to navigate in finding what is out there, and what is best for your specific needs, can at times be daunting. Whether you’re looking for what is out there for a budding junior golfer or you have seasoned linkster that may be looking for ways to start competing in a fun environment in hopes of one day competing in a PGA Junior Championship of their own one day, the list below is a great place to start. Programming Options for Youth Golfers... PGA Jr. League is a game changer, especially when a local PGA or LPGA Captain is running the program as it was designed...being inclusive of all ability levels.  The overarching theme of the program is team play with events that are contested over 9 holes and three, three-hole "flags." The kids, of mixed abilities, play in 2 vs. scrambles with the option of subbing in a 3rd teammate every three holes. Each team has 4 matches going on simultaneously and the outcome of each of those culminates in a final team score.  For me, as a program adopter from the origins of PGA Jr. League, I can say that the competition is secondary to what this program offers, or should offer, to youth golfers. It is a fantastic way of getting kids together socially, surrounded by golf and to offer structured yet fun practice sessions which allow kids to learn the basics. For older and possibly more advanced juniors, PGA Junior League allows them to mentor and assist newer kids just getting started in the game. Other fantastic programs on a broader scale include Drive, Chip and Putt which is a collaboration of the major golf organizations (PGA of America, USGA and Masters Tournament) where the major skills of the game are tested in a fun competition. Again, all ability levels are welcome through local qualifying as kids try to work their way towards Augusta National where the National Finals take place. LPGA*USGA Girls Golf is one of the longest-running group golf programs in the game. The emphasis of this awesome program is introducing girls to the game in a fun and interactive way. With a mix of social activities and golf skill building, this program has proven to be a game changer as participation by young ladies is the fastest growing segment in golf over the past few years.   Operation 36 is another fantastic program for getting your child started in the game. The premise is learning on the course and starting from close to the hole and working your way out as you progress. / The following are examples of some initiatives on a broad scale. On a regional or more local scale you have countless fantastic programs and youth academies to choose from. My Little Linksters organization for example is inclusive of all the programs mentioned above as well as countless programs that we have developed over the past 13 years. We offer a wide range of offerings for kids as young as 3 and up to 18, all abilities, group and private coaching and even specialty programs for youth with disabilities. Our goal, as is the goal of countless PGA and LPGA Professionals, is to continue to offer opportunities for every single youngster that wants to learn the game as well as those that want to continue to excel at it.