Why group golf coaching works best for kids
PGA Professional Andrew Little looks at the reasons behind why coaching children in a group is better for their development.
Children will enjoy golf better in a group environment. Some parents might want their children to play 'properly' but I truly believe a group dynamic is better for your kids' development. They will mix with children of a similar age, develop friendships and talk about what they like talking about. They can also see other children succeeding and failing which gives them confidence that other children are doing the same.
If you are playing against a parent they will likely take years before they can beat them, they will compare themselves and that will lower their self-esteem and enjoyment. If a child is in a group and mixing then there's more chance that they will want to come back with their friends. If I have a new child in a group then I will put them with a child who is friendly so there's more chance of them coming back the following week.
It's all about fun and the enjoyment of the lesson is above me improving them as a golfer. As we play more we will improve more so, rather than giving them all the technical information, we'll have fun which will lessen the chance of them dropping out of the sport way too early or even burn themselves out. I once taught someone to England standard and, by the time they were 15, they didn't enjoy the game at all.
I lose track of the amount of times that my name gets mentioned in a golf lesson but they're not asking me to help with their golf, they want praise for a particular shot and they’ll get it. They might have hit it along the floor but they will be showing me their finish and that’s great. You have to praise them in a positive way, and they want that. We all like clarification and acknowledgement that we’re doing something good.
From a parent's perspective we need to allow children to fail in this game and not judge them. Our reaction to a child’s shot should be the same whether it’s a great shot or a bad shot as they’re still playing golf. So it's not about heaping praise on them, it doesn’t matter how they’ve played.
I have a child who swings it so incorrectly in the downswing that they more often hit the top of the driver than the face It's actually caved in now, we've tried everything but it’s now a joke in the group and he’s not embarrassed and it’s now funny. He knows that it’s not the correct way to swing it but can’t stop himself but he comes back every week and enjoys it. He's actually quite a good putter.
They will want to mimic their friends and hole putts like a pool shot and, on occasion, that's fine. They might use a club that’s too big for them and that’s good experience too, they might want to hit a putter at the range as far as possible and that will be fine from time to time as it's fun and will learn something from it. It's so important to let kids be kids.
Andrew Little
I am the head professional and joint owner of Little Golfers and the Clubfourteen golf studio in Surbiton. I?m England?s only Master kids coach as awarded but U.S Kids Golf. I also coach adults of all abilities at the golf studio using the top indoor simulator equipment to capture your data and show you your improvements.
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