Adopt a three-step pre-shot routine for better golf

Golf can be a frustrating game. One of the best ways for your child to become less frustrated and improve his or her golf game is to adopt a good pre-shot routine. When children address the golf ball, they usually set their feet first and then lean into the ball. This causes them to be either too far or too close to the ball, resulting in topped shots and heavy shots, not to mention alignment problems. In order for your child to get rid of these bad habits, he or she needs to approach the golf ball better.

I suggest a three-step pre-shot routine. Please have your child:
1) Grip the golf club.
2) Set the club behind the golf ball with the club head aimed towards a target.
3) Set his or her feet last- and parallel left of the target if he or she is swinging right-handed, and parallel right if he or she is swinging left-handed.

By adopting this routine, your child should start to become more consistent and strike the golf ball better. Too many bad habits begin with an improper pre-shot routine and set-up.

Introducing golf as a team sport!

Golf should be enjoyable for everyone -- especially for kids who are being introduced to the game. Clinics and after-school programs are a great way to get kids who are interested in learning how to play golf together. I was teaching at one of my after-school programs recently and introduced a new game to my students. There were twelve kids in the class and I decided to make two teams. The game was simply called "closest to the pin." I had each team hit to the flagstick to see who would get it closer. Whichever team hit closest to the pin would get a point. First to ten won! The kids had more fun competing as a team than when they were competing for themselves. Team sports such as soccer and baseball are probably a big part of your child's life- and team golf can be added to the list. Practicing as a team not only made golf more fun for the kids, but it also taught them how to work together.

Safety at the Driving Range

Driving range practice for your child should be fun and safe! When you take him or her to the range, please supervise your child at all times.

Here are some additional safety rules for children at the driving range. They should:

1. Stay within the divided areas and on their mat when swinging.
2. Only swing when told to swing.
3. Hit towards targets in the driving range only.
4. Never leave the safety zone to get a ball in the driving range.
5. Exit straight back from their mat.
6. When walking around the range, walk behind the safety line and stay out of the way of swinging golfers.
7. Never throw golf balls or golf clubs.

GOLF TIPS

Safety starts at home!

Making golf a safe sport for children should be the first goal for every parent. Here are some very important safety rules for children when practicing golf at your home.

Children are often introduced to the game of golf at home. Usually, a parent brings home a golf club or bag of clubs for their child. Once the child sees the golf clubs, he or she will be excited and want to swing them right away. I suggest that you take the bag of clubs or club outside and adhere to the following safety rules:

• As a parent, you should always supervise your child when he or she is practicing golf at home. This will help prevent anyone or anything from getting hit with a golf club or a golf ball.
• Tell your child that he or she can only swing when you tell them too.
• Use plastic golf balls.
• Do not aim at windows or people.
• Keep a safety zone with half cones used as a teeing ground.
• Keep pets and other children away from the path of the club.
• Make siblings and other children aware so they do not walk into the child's swing.
• Tell your child not to throw clubs or balls and to keep two hands on the golf club at all times.
• Buy a hitting net and set it up away from your neighbors.

Golf lessons early on will teach your child how to swing properly, prevent bad habits and reinforce safety. I suggest if your child shows a strong interest in the game, take him or her to the driving range and golf course on a regular basis for proper instruction or enroll them in a golf enrichment program at school (if available).