Golfing with our kids this weekend?

Question

I took golf in college (30 years ago), my husband used to play a little. We will be near a golf course this weekend and are thinking about taking our 2 girls,(10 and 15) out to play. The course has rental clubs for both adults and kids. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Answer 1

Nine holes would be best.  Good idea though. That's how i learned the game, my dad took me to a small par 3.  I'm 13, love golf, so they'd probably like it.

Answer 2

If you can, find a par 3 course and play nine holes.  Unless you are sure the kids would enjoy 4 -5 hours on a course.

Answer 3

You are fortunate to have the opportunity to have this golf outing with your husband and children. But as previously stated golfers get a little "bitchy" when they encounter slower players. The golfers that get to the course the earliest do so in order to get done first and fastest. It's more of a contest to them than it is a game. A driving range or miniature golf might be a better idea the first time out. If that's not possible simply ask the par 3 course manager what might be the best time for your foursome. He may say that no one is their after 2 in the afternoon and that would work out perfectly. You don't even have to play nine holes if you don't want to if you feel uncomfortable with the pace of play. Just don't let your two girls notice that you are ill at ease. Enjoy the round. It could be the start of many with your family.

Answer 4

You have the right idea.  Nine holes on a par three course will be enough to see if your girls have any interest in the game, and enough to remind you and  your husband why you don't play more.

Answer 5

Have fun!  Golf is nice family activity.  I play with my dad and brother frequently.

Answer 6

May I suggest that you not start with an on-course experience... Take the girls to the driving range for a half hour and just one club.  Let them try naturally to hit the ball, see if you can make a family game of it, and see if they like it.

My reasoning is:

1 - On a weekend courses are the busiest.  Even with the best intentions, you probably will run into some one who thinks you are going too slow.  

3 - The driving range is MUCH less expensive to learn to hit a ball.  For the kids this is going to be very difficult at first, so it will save them swining away at a tee box

4 - Much shorter amount of time the first time out.  

Please consider this from my own experience.  I have THREE kids (13,9, 8) that have been playing for about two years.

Answer 7

You can stop playing after 1 hole if you want. They will still charge you for 9 or 18 depending on the course. Some only have the 18 hole rate.

Big thing to remember when playing with inexperienced players; other golfers don't like it when you play too slow. If it seems you are holding up the people behind you, then you should pick up your ball and move to the next hole and even let the other players play around you.

The way you can tell that you are playing too slow is to take a look at the group ahead of you. If there is a large gap between you and group ahead, you are playing too slow.

Don't forget to have fun while you are out there.