Quick! Name a sport that gets kids outside and active and allows them to play at any skill level for the rest of their lives. What sport did you think of? Admittedly, you could have thought about several different sports. But did you at least consider golf? If not, you should.
Living in North Texas, it’s hard to ignore the influence golf has on the community. Besides the many courses dotting the map, the most visible impact to our area comes from the PGA (Professional Golf Association) of America moving its headquarters to Frisco. This move, along with the associated development, come with an estimated economic footprint in the billions. Less visible, but just as valuable, are the relationships and camaraderie built on links, ranges, and bays in and around Collin County.
While some may think of golf as just for grown-ups, this ancient sport is also an excellent activity for kids. The pacing and different ways to play mean it’s accessible for any athletic ability. It can be a team sport or an individual challenge, giving options to those with differing social needs. And, for those who like to have their eyes on a prize, there are plenty of scholarships and golf competitions to keep competitive young athletes motivated.
Tee It Up: Getting Kids Started in Golf
If you want to tee up a love of golf in your kids but don’t know how, here are a few options to get started:
Play at home.
This can be as simple as getting a club and a ball and heading outside. Pick a tree and practice chipping to it. If you have the yard space, put up a net. Or dig a small hole in the ground, place an empty can in it to be the cup, and treat it as your own personal #12 Golden Bell. Buy an indoor putting mat for rainy day fun! For our three-year-old, we have a plastic golf set, which means he can practice his swing without breaking the TV.
Make it a family event.
Whether it’s a trip to Topgolf or putt-putt, golf is an excellent way to get the whole family outside. Even if it’s something as simple as letting the kids ride along in the cart as you play, just spending time together around the sport can produce a love of the game for years.
Keep it short.
A full round of golf typically takes about four hours, so if you do decide to visit a course, play only nine holes instead of the full 18. Driving ranges are also a great way to let kids practice a few swings, without having to commit a whole afternoon.
Sign up for summer camps and clinics.
Most local golf courses—public and private—offer summer camps and clinics for kids, at varying prices. Many municipalities will also have options through their parks and recreation offices, like the golf classes available through Play Frisco. And, if you’re interested in longer-term programs, you can check out organizations like the TGA of Northwest Collin County or the PGA Junior Golf Camps.
Attend local PGA and LPGA tournaments.
North Texas is a popular destination for professionals and amateurs alike. Take the kids to one of the many tournaments, big and small, that play through the area. For 2022, those include the AT&T Byron Nelson, the Volunteers of America Classic, and the Veritex Bank Championship.
Additional Golf Resources for Kids:
For specific information to help your budding pro improve their game, check out some of the local chapters of national organizations:
First Tee of Greater Dallas
The First Tee Foundation is almost synonymous with youth golf. Not only does it get kids started with the game, but it also teaches things that go hand-in-hand with it, like fair play and sportsmanship.
NTPGA Junior Golf
The North Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation provides comprehensive information for beginners as well as kids ready to advance to the next level.
Keep in mind, to actually play golf, kids will eventually need appropriately-sized clubs. For younger ages, know that they don’t need much to start with; you can try a simple yard club, or equip them with at least a putter and wedge or iron. For those a little bit older, the PGA Superstore in Plano has knowledgeable staff and offers fittings to help get kids started off right. You can also buy a beginners set at various retailers or watch resale groups and websites if you’re cost conscious.
So get ready to tee up some fun and hit the links (or backyard) with your kids! Who knows? One day your little Angela Stanford or Ben Hogan may be thanking you for starting them young on the sport they’ve played their whole life.
