Now that school is almost out you are probably already looking for something for your progeny to do. You should look no further than your nearest golf course. Introducing your children to the wonderful world of golf may be one of the best gifts you will ever bestow upon them.
Once the basic skills are mastered, golf becomes the ultimate
equalizer. What other sport can young and old participate in on an
equal basis? Certainly not in the four major sports where youth has the
upper hand. I gave up basketball at age 33 when some overzealous
21-year-old elbowed me just above the eye while going for a rebound.
Ten-stitches later my basketball career was over. Baseball and soccer
ended when I graduated from college. There was nothing left but golf
and skiing. I took them both up vigorously.
In my youth, there was no opportunity to play. In my humble neighborhood, only the rich kids played golf. The rest of us caddied for $1 a round. That was my introduction to golf, along with an occasional round on Mondays when they let the caddies play for free. I did
develop an interest in the game but never could visualize how important it would become in later years.
There were no junior programs in those days. Your father (a member) taught you or you received private instruction from the club pro. It was for the chosen few. We viewed the players as rich snobs.
Today there is ample opportunity for young people to receive excellent instruction at a reasonable cost. In fact, many local clubs have junior programs that are free to members' children. The PGA finally came to realize that kids grow up to be adults and future members. They better nurture them.
Also, over the past 50 years the American worker has had the benefit of more leisure time. That, along with the development of state and public courses, made golf more available to the masses. It is not surprising to see a plumber teeing it up next to a doctor. That would never have happened 50 years ago.
I don't know how many of you remember the CC or WPA, both federally funded work programs. They built a number of golf courses throughout the country. The Amsterdam and Schenectady Municipal golf courses are the fruit of their labor. They even built our famous Hall of Springs.
I can honestly say I've never met a bad kid on the golf course. There is something about the game that brings out the best in them, not the worst. And it certainly occupied a good portion of the day. Most young golfers, once they get fairly proficient, will play 36 to 54 holes a day. That will account for five to eight hours they won't be hanging around the mall or getting in trouble on our street corners. And if pro-rated into the cost of babysitting, that is pretty cheap child care!
An interesting note, whenever youngsters are arrested for vandalism on a local course, it is rarely that the culprits play golf. It is always someone with too much time on their hands trying to fill the void. Golf would certainly fill that void.
How old should one be to begin to play golf? It's a debatable issue among local pros. Most will agree that six years old is a good starting point, but at that level it should be very low keyed. A cut-down club, a wiffle ball and an introduction to the proper grip will probably be sufficient. They don't need a golf course. Your backyard or an open field are all you will need. It is amazing what natural abilities our kids possess. Remember also that you are not trying to develop another Tiger Woods - you are introducing them to a game that will be available to them all their lives. And when someday they close a million dollar deal on the Fairways of Pebble Beach, they will owe it all to you.
There are two programs in our area worthy of your consideration. Brian Rhodes, a local teaching professional, has won many awards for his outstanding work with junior golfers. During the months of July and August, he will be available to work with fledgling golfers at the Airway Meadows Golf Club in Gansevoort; his programs are well organized, filled with basic skills and lots of fun.
Rhodes is a hands-on kind of guy. He leaves nothing to chance and is actively involved in every session. I am sure he can find a program to fit your child. Rhodes can be
reached on his Web site www.brhodes2@nycap.rr.com.
The second program and one of my favorites is run by Ben Andrews, a class A certified golf pro at the Brookhaven Golf Course in Greenfield.
Each year, Andrews holds a week-long program for boys and girls seven to 12 years of age. This year, the program is scheduled from July 20 through 24. It is divided into small age-appropriate groups so each student gets one hour of individual attention from Andrews and his assistants. They have found that any more time than that most youngsters start to lose interest.
I have watched Andrews in action over the past few years and still haven't decided yet who is having the most fun, Ben or the kids! He is really great with all of them. You will find no better teacher in the area. His classes are limited to ensure each student gets individual attention. If you would like your child to be introduced to golf in a positive environment, call (518) 893-7458 soon and secure your child's spot in the program. It will be the best $40 you will ever spend. Don't delay - this program fills up quickly.
In my youth, there was no opportunity to play. In my humble neighborhood, only the rich kids played golf. The rest of us caddied for $1 a round. That was my introduction to golf, along with an occasional round on Mondays when they let the caddies play for free. I did
develop an interest in the game but never could visualize how important it would become in later years.
There were no junior programs in those days. Your father (a member) taught you or you received private instruction from the club pro. It was for the chosen few. We viewed the players as rich snobs.
Today there is ample opportunity for young people to receive excellent instruction at a reasonable cost. In fact, many local clubs have junior programs that are free to members' children. The PGA finally came to realize that kids grow up to be adults and future members. They better nurture them.
Also, over the past 50 years the American worker has had the benefit of more leisure time. That, along with the development of state and public courses, made golf more available to the masses. It is not surprising to see a plumber teeing it up next to a doctor. That would never have happened 50 years ago.
I don't know how many of you remember the CC or WPA, both federally funded work programs. They built a number of golf courses throughout the country. The Amsterdam and Schenectady Municipal golf courses are the fruit of their labor. They even built our famous Hall of Springs.
I can honestly say I've never met a bad kid on the golf course. There is something about the game that brings out the best in them, not the worst. And it certainly occupied a good portion of the day. Most young golfers, once they get fairly proficient, will play 36 to 54 holes a day. That will account for five to eight hours they won't be hanging around the mall or getting in trouble on our street corners. And if pro-rated into the cost of babysitting, that is pretty cheap child care!
An interesting note, whenever youngsters are arrested for vandalism on a local course, it is rarely that the culprits play golf. It is always someone with too much time on their hands trying to fill the void. Golf would certainly fill that void.
How old should one be to begin to play golf? It's a debatable issue among local pros. Most will agree that six years old is a good starting point, but at that level it should be very low keyed. A cut-down club, a wiffle ball and an introduction to the proper grip will probably be sufficient. They don't need a golf course. Your backyard or an open field are all you will need. It is amazing what natural abilities our kids possess. Remember also that you are not trying to develop another Tiger Woods - you are introducing them to a game that will be available to them all their lives. And when someday they close a million dollar deal on the Fairways of Pebble Beach, they will owe it all to you.
There are two programs in our area worthy of your consideration. Brian Rhodes, a local teaching professional, has won many awards for his outstanding work with junior golfers. During the months of July and August, he will be available to work with fledgling golfers at the Airway Meadows Golf Club in Gansevoort; his programs are well organized, filled with basic skills and lots of fun.
Rhodes is a hands-on kind of guy. He leaves nothing to chance and is actively involved in every session. I am sure he can find a program to fit your child. Rhodes can be
reached on his Web site www.brhodes2@nycap.rr.com.
The second program and one of my favorites is run by Ben Andrews, a class A certified golf pro at the Brookhaven Golf Course in Greenfield.
Each year, Andrews holds a week-long program for boys and girls seven to 12 years of age. This year, the program is scheduled from July 20 through 24. It is divided into small age-appropriate groups so each student gets one hour of individual attention from Andrews and his assistants. They have found that any more time than that most youngsters start to lose interest.
I have watched Andrews in action over the past few years and still haven't decided yet who is having the most fun, Ben or the kids! He is really great with all of them. You will find no better teacher in the area. His classes are limited to ensure each student gets individual attention. If you would like your child to be introduced to golf in a positive environment, call (518) 893-7458 soon and secure your child's spot in the program. It will be the best $40 you will ever spend. Don't delay - this program fills up quickly.
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