Entry Level Players
How to encourage entry level players? Make it fun
Dean Spriddle is Head Professional of the Evergreen Golf Centre in Lethbridge, Alta., and a member of the Task Force for the Long Term Player Development Guide.
The key to working with young players is to keep them coming back.
The best way to do this is to make the experience of coming to a golf facility both enjoyable and fun. This is a key message of the Long Term Player Development Guide: Retaining entry level children in golf is all about making it a good time.
The game is difficult and frustrating for the most seasoned player. Imagine how a beginning nine year old boy might feel. He wants excitement, games, music and movement.
We should understand this and give children what they want. In conjunction with basic instruction, there should also be some relay games, some running, some rules (for safety) and, of course, a treat at the end for all that hard work.
The thrill of hitting the ball hard should not be discouraged but supported. Tee the balls up, make the clubs short with lots of loft (woods are best) and encourage them on each and every shot.
If you take this approach with children on the lesson tee and on the course, the experience will be positive and rewarding for the instructor, the child, and for mom and dad.