My generation grew up playing board games like Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, and Sorry. Each game came with an instruction book. It was important to take time and read the instructions before beginning to play. If there was a squabble about some move, we dug out the instructions and re-read what to do in that situation. The rule book ruled.
Our “millennial” children grew up in the era of electronic games. We enjoyed playing Pac Man, QBert, King’s Quest, Frogger, Tetris, and others. Unlike the board games I grew up with, there were very few if any instructions with these new games to teach them how to play. The kids played and when they failed they started over. Some games allowed them to save at key points so they didn’t have to begin at the beginning.
The result of these learning methods is clear: teaching future leaders of tomorrow requires understanding the balance of…
Play–> Fail –> Learn–> Repeat.
This methodology is works for learning activities like bowling and tennis that rent individual space by the “line” or hour. However, it is very problematic for golf courses that depend on queuing foursomes and ushering them around the course in a timely fashion. Many golf course starters cringe when they see dad or mom bringing two youngsters to play on Saturday morning. They envision kids taking divots on the green, running into the foursome ahead, taking lots of time looking for lost balls or clubs, and slowing down a game that is already struggling with slow play.
It’s also difficult for dad or mom. They want very much to teach their exuberant youngsters the fun of the game while respecting the golf’s many rules, etiquette, and traditions. It’s easy to get frustrated with all that’s riding on the situation. The result? A poor first impression to a young son or daughter of the many pleasures of playing golf.
So, what are golf courses and parents to do? There are a growing number of alternatives.
- Golf courses offer junior golf instruction for children. Options to play 9 holes. Some courses offer twilight times that enable families to get out after supper and play a few holes.
- Driving ranges are places that dad/mom can take children at minimal cost. A large bucket of balls can be an inexpensive way to give your child a taste of swing a club.
- Indoor/outdoor golf centers (like Play-a-Round Golf) provide many of a the benefits of golf courses and driving ranges with minimal cost and maximum convenience every day of the week for the whole family.
Golf is easy, but we’ve got to change our tactics.
Another option launched earlier this year when Jack Nicklaus announced the formation of Jack Nicklaus Learning Leagues that will provide play and instruction opportunities in parks and recreation areas to youngsters in much the same way as T-Ball does for baseball. Pilot programs are underway with more sites coming this fall. JNLL has partnered with SNAG: Starting New at Golf (R) to use the unique equipment, word queues, and plenty of games to provide a FUN introduction to the game.
At Play-a-Round Golf, we use SNAG to enable students to play games and learn golf swing-by-swing. When students fail, they eagerly want to discover how to improve and we can then show them the “secret moves” and encourage them to use their new abilities to break through to the next level. Play – Fail – Learn – Repeat!
Some parents and pros are put off by the toy-like look of SNAG. Don’t let this dissuade you. Data shows that when the young golfer is ready, they easily transition from the “toys” to traditional equipment and the responsibilities that entails.
Remember “Learning-Works-Best-When-Fun-Comes-First!”
Interested in giving your family a proper introduction to the game? Checkout the many options to get in the game and have fun together!
[Editors Note: If we can assist you in helping you and your family to learn the game, just give us a call at 610-725-9155.]
