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Clemson, SC
Joined: 7/20/2008
Posts: 4
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Posted: Jul/23/2008 6:23 PM PST
I'm 21, recently married, just picked up golf after a 6 year break. Here's my take. My grandfather and father took me golfing all the time when I was younger. Any of you know the "Take Me Fishing" commercials? Apply it to golf. All you "older" folks who like spoiling your grandkids, this is the way to do it. Like MPhil said, have some fun, don't take it so seriously when playing with younger kids. Yes, it's expensive, but find a cheap par 3 course and have at it. Take them during week days when the course isn't busy. Even if they end up like me, taking a while away, now that I've picked up a club again I can't stay away (how I found golflink). That's my best advice, take them young, don't take it seriously, let them take some drops etc.... hope this helps...
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DuQuoin, IL, Carlinville, IL
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 17
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Posted: Jul/24/2008 6:45 PM PST
I'd say the two biggest issues are price and people. Kids usually dont have the money to play too much golf. Between equipment and membership or whatever... gas to get to the course. Transportation to get there if they dont have a car. A friend to play with.
So many things have to go right for many kids to get out there.
Have the money, Transportation, and someone to play with.
the third isnt always necessary (I play mostly by myself) but many kids wouldnt want to go out there by themselves.
As far as GolfLink and kids go, I would say charging is definitely not the thing to do if you want kids. Parents are usually very reluctant to get anything for kids off the internet it seems.
anyyyways, many places are doing the right thing to get kids out there so maybe it will come back up.
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Georgia
Joined: 1/20/2009
Posts: 4
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Posted: Feb/14/2009 4:18 AM PST
I started playing golf when i was 8 years old, my father played religiously and i caddied for him when i had the chance, although it was more like pulling his cart/bag and getting paid .10 per hole it was still a treat.
At thr course i work at now we have several high school golfers during the week and im truely amazed to witness all the dedication they have, We give them free range balls, free golf, and proshop discounts on merchandise "IF they are on the high school team, i dont really know of any other insentives we could throw out there to attract young players.
Maybe 2 free lessons or a free round with the pro?? just some thoughts.
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Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 10
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Posted: May/20/2009 2:38 PM PST
If teaching pros would teach a simpler swing that people could actually do I think more people would be a lot less intimidated about coming out for the first time.
Frankie C
http://overthetopgolf.com
http://iwantcharlesbarkley.blogspot.com
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Joined: 5/21/2009
Posts: 4
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Posted: May/21/2009 10:53 AM PST
Hi everyone,
New here but I wanted to chime in! I think having family or friends who possess a great love of the game is probably the biggest factor in whether young people will come to golf or another sport. If they learn young, they'll probably grow up with a great respect for the etiquette and their fellow players as well, perhaps more so than folks who look at just as another way of doing business. My hubby taught me how to play, and even though I wasn't a kid when I learned, he did learn as a child and shared that enthusiasm and respect with me -- it rubbed off!
iheartskorts
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in your head
Joined: 3/21/2009
Posts: 51
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Posted: May/24/2009 8:40 PM PST
Why are people so interested in dragging youngsters to the game. Who cares and more to the point they may ruin it. Do you folks really enjoy playing behind slow unskilled foursomes more interested in drinking beer and smoking weed. I live in a town that has great weather and most kids learn to play. We have a great muni with great rates for residents and the thing is a zoo. Balls spraying everywhere nobody yells fore, the carts are beaten up and the trash cans are full by noon. the traps are never raked and the greens are never great. So the courses solution , raise the rates. No my friends if you make golf to easy for youngster to get into they wont respect it and dont bother telling me we have to teach them right ,your dreaming. show me one thing young people respect and take care of these days. I see new cars all torn up and everything else is disposable.
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south jersey
Joined: 5/22/2009
Posts: 2
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Posted: May/26/2009 6:15 PM PST
wow igolfyou. That is about the most selfish response I have ever heard. Im not trying to start an arguement here, but I have to ask. Am I right to suspect that you had a scratch rating the first time you went out on a track? I doubt it. Balls spraying everywhere and no one yelling fore? I've golfed some amazing places and I have been hit, hit on, and had the ball hit over my head a few times and not a peep from anyone. Your talking about golfing at a Muni. Thats just what it is, a Muni. Its like a public swimming pool. Thats what you get. I started young and even though I didnt know the etiquette, I learned it because I didnt have someone coming down on me for not knowing any better. Lets give these kids a chance, make an adult be present atleast. This is one of the biggest differences with golf in the world. Our country wants you to look a certain way, be a certain age, and have "proper etiquette." When I was 16 I was fortunate to golf in ireland while visiting family. I was welcomed, and treated just like an adult and it made me feel responsible so I was very respectful. This game cant continue without kids, and the greens fee will only go higher when less and less kids stop playing.
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in your head
Joined: 3/21/2009
Posts: 51
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Posted: May/28/2009 9:44 PM PST
You my friend are wrong on every level. First a muni is not trashy course to be left to the ignorant and poor in fact some of the best US open venues are municipal courses maybe you have heard of Torrey Pines. Next your idea of making kids play with their parents or a responsible adult will send the average kid running from golf screaming and punish everybody involved. I also cant believe your telling me that if I want to play a well kept course with reasonable people I need to go to places young folk cant afford. No my friend if you want youngsters to respect golf, then dont let them play until they show a level of skill and knowledge that allows them to fit in. Make anybody who wants to golf under the age of 18 get a license from a pro or driving range instructor. That way we get youngsters that understand golf is a privilege not a right. I would also like to see youngsters forced to play the course from the forward tees and yes I mean the red ones until they are good enough to move back that will give them another goal to work for.
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OH/PA/WV
Joined: 4/23/2009
Posts: 5
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Posted: Sep/05/2009 7:00 AM PST
theres only 1 thing that stops everyone from golfing. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$
money money money, want more people/young people to golf, then pay for them to play. most golf courses are a total rip-off, i love playing but ive done the math, and most golf courses should cost about 10$ a round including a cart, 5$ to walk, anything more is a rip-off, there taking in as much over head as casinos. thank goodness , i made nice with a few of my local courses, and ive talked them down to my rate. but i wont play the weekends anywhere.
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Sarasota, Florida
Joined: 9/11/2009
Posts: 3
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Posted: Sep/26/2009 10:28 AM PST
Younger generation seems to have a shorter attention span. I think the 3-4 hours for a round of golf turns some people off. The costs associated with playing also affects how often younger people play.
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How to attract young people to golf