Why the short game is so important for young golfers
[Getty images: Mark Runnacles]
When youngsters are introduced to golf, one aspect that becomes very clear is how much they struggle with short shots and distance control.
Ask them to hit a four-foot putt and they’ll hit it 20. At that age they simply don’t possess the touch that’s needed around the greens; their first impulse is always to hit the ball as hard as they can.
If your son and daughter is showing an interest in golf, find a local PGA professional who offers short-game clinics for juniors. Ideally, they will attend the clinics with friends who are also learning the game.
In my experience, kids enjoy the format of clinics more because it resembles a team sport where they are playing with their friends. They will ask each other questions about the skills they are learning and encourage each other to improve through friendly competition.
However, what is most important in the initial stages is to keep them around the green. Smacking balls at the driving range is fun and should form part of their golf experience, but the short game needs to be where the majority of time is spent.
Find a friend, find a PGA professional with an emphasis on short game and build their game from there. They will enjoy their experience on the golf course so much more if they have that basic competency in place first.
If you have any questions or are interested in undertaking some online lessons, e-mail me at [email protected]
