Playing Golf with your Child and Learning the Course

Why playing golf with your child is an essential parenting responsibility

The Fisher Price Golf Set

Children due to their energy and curiosity can pick up most sports and extra-curricular activities much faster than an adult and therefore it's interesting to note what children can gain from learning to play golf.

Children will learn hand and eye coordination playing golf

Learning to play golf can provide an excellent source of continual eye-to-hand coordination. Every-time a child takes a swing he or she will learn how to rotate to provide power and synergy between their bodies, how each individual component of a swing is created and maintained. The ability to hit the ball will help focus their minds and create a stable platform to move very easily into other sports.

 

The absence of a referee in the game of golf!

Playing golf of course involves many rules however as there is not a physical referee children will learn that honor is a big part of golf. Being able to agree according to rules free from parental intervention and adult supervision will teach a child independence of thought and reasoning skills and the power of committee.

Kids will learn Golf Etiquette rules

Part of golf is based on etiquette, like for example not treading on your partners putting line, and accepting the player who won the last hole is first to tee-up on the preceding hole as they have the “honor”. Etiquette is about learning to respect other people and not thinking of the self.

This will provide a very good understanding of how their actions can affect other people.

Many golf clubs these days offer an academy for younger players and often feature regular competitions and events. Not only will this teach your child about competition and how to compete but it will also allow him or her to expand their social friendships and grow and develop their social skills.

Kids Golf and the sense of Competition

Belonging to a golf-club you help your child create a sense of belonging and being able to compete against other clubs will help germinate an appreciation of playing in a team and as an individual. You can help by carrying their golf bag in competitions to help bonding. You can be the Caddy!

Golf can also help improve a child’s self-confidence as much as playing golf has the similar effect for adults. Knowing that your child can hit a ball onto a green from a long distance will create the necessary confidence to succeed in other areas of life.

Golf is also a great form of exercise with an 18 hole course measuring around the 6000 yard mark it will often involve your child walking for around 3 to 4 hours depending on how many playing partners are present. Not only is this a good work-out for your child but it will also allow him or her to enjoy nature and revel in the fresh air and natural beauty of such a large expanse of land that is the modern golf course.

How to Play Golf in the Rain the Essentials you need to know

 

Learning how to play golf in the rain requires a different approach than in normal conditions. 

The most important aspect is to keep both yourself and your clubs dry. 

A round of golf usually consists of around 4 hours, so to get wet at any stage is both uncomfortable and impractical. Why impractical? Well once your clubs become wet, especially the grips, you will find you tend to unconsciously grip the club harder as you are afraid of the club slipping.

A spare glove such as a TaylorMade Targa is always a handy additional piece of clothing to have in your golf bag. Learning how to play golf in the rain requires an understanding of how water affects your golf ball,club and equipment.

When playing golf rain results in a restricted swing in comparison to your normal swing

 

Normally this would be more fluid and relaxed. This will reduce both distance and cause problems with the return path of the club-head, or swing-plane, as you return to the ball during your forward swing. Of course this problem is also exacerbated by your golf-glove getting saturated. Again this will cause a tighter grip.

Waterproof Golfing Gear is a Must

It is essential that when you are playing golf in the rain that you have wet-weather equipment, including trousers, jacket, hat and of course a study large umbrella. Also you will want to consider a cover for your bag and trolley and a spare glove or two.

A decent hat such as the Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero Hat will help keep your vision sharp and allow water to run away from your clothing.

Rain and Golf Ball Flight

In dry conditions the dimples of the golf ball help create air-flow around the ball and make it fly further. If it is raining then the water in the atmosphere, and the rain that your ball hits as it travels will reduce this aerodynamic capability. Therefore it will be necessary to raise a club to compensate for this shorter distance. Say for example you hit a 7 Iron 170 yards, you will need to hit a 6 Iron or maybe a 5 Iron to get the same distance in the wet. Pretty amazing really!

Change your Type of Golf Shot to Deal with Rain

Another point to consider during rain-play is how short the ball will carry and the fact that your ball will not run as far as normal dry conditions would allow. Your ball will stick quicker and stop shorter. You may have to consider pitching shots up high and dropping the chip-shot from your repertoire, unless you can re-adjust your distances very quickly during the round.

How to Putt on Waterlogged Greens

Putting too will present problems, depending if the greens are poor draining. Putting across water on a green is like putting through syrup, you will need to be more aggressive but also of course if you overshoot the hole, in theory your ball will stop shorter which may be considered a bonus.

Turn on the Anger to Fight the Rain on the Golf Course

Indeed aggression is one of the major aspects in playing golf in the rain. Always attack the pin and do not be afraid, playing short in this type of condition is a sure fire way to score badly. Enjoy the round and try to smile it will help you stay in a positive mental frame of mind and increase your scoring opportunities.