It’s something a lot of parents dream of: teaching their children golf and introducing them to the sport they have enjoyed themselves for many years. We don’t like to wish time away, but we allow ourselves to look forward to the day when they can join us on the fairways.
I think I’m close to giving up, or least parking that dream. The junior set of Fazr golf clubs that I purchased from American Golf for my son’s sixth birthday continue to sit in the garage, collecting dust. There are actually spider webs forming between the little headcovers. It’s a really sad sight.
I’ve done my best to encourage my son to get into the game. I’ve taken him for a few lessons; he’s played interactive games on the range; we’ve played footgolf; he’s been to The Open Championship; I’ve bought him kids golf equipment and clothing; and he’s attended a group lesson with his school.
Despite all this, he has no enthusiasm for it. The fact is, most of these activities were done under duress and accompanied by tantrums. I’ve had enough. If the lad can’t see the joy in whacking a little white ball in the air, there’s really no point in forcing it on him. As someone said to me recently, “Maybe it’s a sport he’ll discover later on in life.” I hope so.
Why Has Golf Been Such A Hard Sell?
Not all young children will enjoy a day at the golf
(Image credit: Getty Images)
It was probably too optimistic of me to think that I could get him hooked simply by taking him to The Open. Most people remember the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2017 for Jordan Spieth’s duel with Matt Kuchar (and the former’s driving range drop). I remember it for a toilet incident (he was three) and lots of tears.
I know I’m not alone, because I’ve talked to a lot of other parents. You see lots of happy kids on the TV swinging plastic clubs, but for every excited little one wildly hacking away, there are a dozen more screaming, kicking off and demanding to go home.
Despite various attempts to pique his interest over the years, I’ve found golf to be a pretty hard sell. For starters, it’s hard. It always has been, of course, but I’m sure children used to have a bit more patience. One fresh air shot and that’s it. “I’m bored.” Maybe it’s just my experience.