It’s their game…

Sport is often imposed on children. In golf this is often seen where children are told how to correctly grip the club, stand to the ball, move the club and strike the ball. This approach of learning the “fundamentals” first is often experienced in an environment unlike the setting of a golf course. So children have techniques imposed on them and they have little idea of why they need them!

Context is vital and the golf course should be where children play and learn about golf. How about if children were offered opportunities to play on course and find out about the game for themselves? Maybe some guidance and support from adults but for the most part children should be left to play and learn their own way, in their own time and on their own terms. It’s their game!

The lockdown has provided me with LOTS of time to reflect and review my experiences in coaching children golf and I have a number of questions that I am asking myself. One thing that is becoming very clear to me is that we should present golf to children so it is their game and they should be allowed to learn their own way, in their own time and on their own terms.