Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
There’s lots of talk about dads getting time out on the golf course with their kids. Introducing them to the sport, teaching the etiquette, and letting them ride along in the cart for a quick nine. Here’s the thing: this privilege (and it is a privilege) is not reserved for the dads. As a mom who plays golf with her kids every week, here are 5 hidden perks of golfing with your kids that should inspire you to book a tee time.
Kids Talk (ALOT) When They Golf
It’s hard to get kids to communicate sometimes. The days are busy, and you ask them questions and get one or two-word responses.
On the golf course, things are different.
Why do you think so many networking and business deals happen on the course? It’s a relaxed environment, and people (kids included) feel more comfortable opening up.
You’ll make deeper connections, learn what matters to your kids the most, and see how they really feel about things in their lives. This week, I played with my 7-year-old daughter, and we talked about everything from golf to the cookies she wanted to make for her brother.
It’s fun, and the communication is natural and easy.
You’ll Teach Resilience and Patience
Golf isn’t easy.
In fact, it’s probably one of the most frustrating things you’ll do this week. Playing with your kids shows them this type of frustration and emotion is normal, but you must know how to handle it.
It’s hard to find real-life examples to teach resilience and patience, and the golf course is a perfect place for it to happen.
Show Them Mom Cares Sports/Fitness and Being Outside
Call it stereotypical, but most kids think of their dads as more of the athletes in the family than their moms.
It doesn’t need to be that way.
Golf is a sport that women can play and play really well. As a mom, show your kids that you can smack a drive and get up and down, and you enjoy walking and physical activity out on the course.
It will stick with them their entire lives, and they’ll see you in a different light. This is super important for all kids. Raise them knowing that sports are for them.
Golf Makes Teaching Respect So Easy
Before you teach a kid to hold a golf club, you should teach them to be quiet on the course!
Respect for other players, the golf course, and the rules of the game go hand in hand with golf.
You’ll get to model this behavior, and your kids will also learn to do it. These are great values to instill and something everyone should learn from a young age.
If you’ve read all the kids books about respect and conduct and you want a real life way to model it, take them golfing!
Nobody Needs Technology On The Golf Course
Unless it’s a golf GPS unit or a portable launch monitor, technology on the golf course is completely unnecessary.
For the first time, you’ll be glad that golf takes as long as it does!
Don’t bring the phones, and don’t even turn them on. You’ll notice more active play, engagement, and attention paid to nature and surroundings. You’ll also notice anywhere from 3 to 5 hours of no screens.
It’s an incredible thing.
My Best Tips for Moms Playing Golf With Their Kids
As a golf professional, playing golf with my kids was one of the things I looked forward to the most when I became a Mom. Now that they are 10 and 7 and actually enjoy the game, I’m learning there are so many more benefits than I even expected.
However, I do understand that it can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to the game and your child has never played it.
Here are some of my best tips to start you on the journey.
Bring Just A Putter
The first few times you take your kid golfing, let them ride in the cart with you and bring a putter for them to putt with you from your spot on each green. Chances are they will want to do more, and that’s where you want them!
Trust me on this one; don’t go all in. Make them want to get more involved. Have them feel like they have to stick with it to make it to the next level.
Do Some Trips To The Range
Throw in some practice sessions. Bring a glove because kids hands get blisters rather quickly. Help them make solid contact so they can play a few holes from 50-100 yards in.
Kids get better at golf much quicker than adults. They need some basic instruction, but that effort and desire to go after the ball seems innate.
Let Them Just Chip and Putt
When the putting concept is no longer enough start letting your child chip and putt. I would let my kids play from the fringe just in front of the green and then we moved back to 50 yards, 100 yards, 150 yards, 200 yards etc.
Now they both can paly from the forward tees if they want to. Some holes we still just throw a ball down at the 150.
Make It Fun
Colored golf balls, music on the course, and the best snacks. All of these things are necessities when playing golf with kids.
Would you play golf if it wasn’t fun?
Probably not. Kids like cart rides and contests and seeing wildlife on the course. It’s so easy to provide this during a round of golf.
No Scores for A While
Don’t put pressure on kids to keep score.
My 7-year-old daughter was thrilled with herself the other day because she made her first pitch mark on a green. She hit a high lofted shot. It came down hard enough that she had to repair a ball mark.
Did you ever think of that as an accomplishment?
Probably not.
Had I set the expectation that score was all that mattered, she would have completely missed this milestone. Don’t make golf about the score. Things like a broken tee, hitting over a water hazard, and getting out of a bunker are all big-time accomplishments.
Let Them Keep Your Score
Finally, let your kid be your official scorekeeper. I think one of the things that I tried to establish early on with my kids was that I was playing golf too.
I’m not just taking them on the course to supervise them and tend to them. They are coming with me when I golf.
We golf together.
It’s different, and it gives them a feeling that they are just like any other adult on the golf course.
Final Thoughts
I’m not worried about whether or not my kids ever break 80 or if they consider golf their favorite sport. What I really want with them is time.
I want open communication and, of course, the memories.
They’ll always remember the times we have played golf together. The high fives, the long putts, the chips that they hit closer to the hole than I did.
Being a Mom gets complicated, but I can assure you golf with kids isn’t complicated. It’s a privilege, and you will never regret the time you spend on the course with your kids.
