My daughter, Jenny (aged 9), for whom I bought a suitably-sized 7 iron after we'd finished on the practice area pictured in the blog post below...

http://learnergolfer.wordpress.com/?p=306

I just like the picture, grainy, and inappropriately colour balanced though it is.

Very cool. I tried to get my seven year old son to come out to the course with me today. He wasn't interested. First time that's happened, but unfortunately it's been a while since I remembered to invite him. Need to fix that.

My personal experience is that 7 is still a bit too young if you actually plan on getting in a round. Eight is usually a good age to start 'em.

My niece is still 7, and if she can remember to keep her feet planted and her shoulders at a constant height, she hits the ball pretty well. But getting in six holes with her at the local pitch and putt is an accomplishment. I started her younger than my nephew because she had so much interest. But I'm going to wait until age 8 before starting the youngest one.

Bryan K wrote:

My personal experience is that 7 is still a bit too young if you actually plan on getting in a round. Eight is usually a good age to start 'em. My niece is still 7, and if she can remember to keep her feet planted and her shoulders at a constant height, she hits the ball pretty well. But getting in six holes with her at the local pitch and putt is an accomplishment. I started her younger than my nephew because she had so much interest. But I'm going to wait until age 8 before starting the youngest one.

He's actually played nine holes with me before. "Playing" is a relative term of course, but he's been on the course with me for nine holes. I just made the mistake of not asking him for a while. Have to rectify that this spring/summer.

My daughter will be 2 in August. She's still a few years away from trips to the course with daddy, but my family seems to think it's a done-deal. They keep buying her the little plastic kids set with the plastic rolling bag. I hate the thing. I'm always worried she's going to choke on one of the golf balls... or beat the dog with the driver.

I'll take my 7 and 10 year old grandaughters with me on weekdays when there are few players on the course. The 10 year old has scored no higher than 12 on the par 4s from the ladies tees.(makes me wonder how Player does that) I help her to keep an accurate count and she really likes seeing improvement. The 7 year old is just working on putting right now.

Took my oldest son out for the first time when he was nine and was surprised how well he did, of course he was one of those kids who at nine could have passed for twelve, played occasionally until he was twelve but then his general attitude on the course changed and he lost interest, which is a shame because he did have a nice swing. My youngest started out on the pitch & putt at about ten, He was the opposite of his brother in looks, was ten, looked six. Took him out on the big course at twelve, had him play from the ladies (forward) tees until his distance improved. By the way, my oldest is now 32 and hasn't picked up a club in years, my youngest is now 26 and we play together every week.

merlin3driver wrote:

The 10 year old has scored no higher than 12 on the par 4s from the ladies tees.(makes me wonder how Player does that)

Hmm...I shot a 13 on a short par 4 just a couple of weeks ago.

Dusty23 wrote:

Took my oldest son out for the first time when he was nine and was surprised how well he did, of course he was one of those kids who at nine could have passed for twelve, played occasionally until he was twelve but then his general attitude on the course changed and he lost interest, which is a shame because he did have a nice swing. My youngest started out on the pitch & putt at about ten, He was the opposite of his brother in looks, was ten, looked six. Took him out on the big course at twelve, had him play from the ladies (forward) tees until his distance improved. By the way, my oldest is now 32 and hasn't picked up a club in years, my youngest is now 26 and we play together every week.

Now this is awesome.

My nephew was hitting the ball 175 consistently last year at age 12. I'm looking forward to taking him out for the first time this year, but I have a feeling that he is going to struggle becuse he's grown about a foot over the winter.

Bryan K, I'm sure your nephew will adjust, that extra foot will make his swing longer now, haha. Actually you would think unless he was playing cut downs or kids clubs that the extra height shouldn't hurt too much and if the clubs are to short you can get shaft extenders. Enjoy it, pretty soon he'll be beating you.
I wish my oldest would play again, of course he lives in Texas now and I'm in Mass. so... would make the ultimate Fathers day to get out with them... until I kicked their ass

Dusty23 wrote:

Bryan K, I'm sure your nephew will adjust, that extra foot will make his swing longer now, haha. Actually you would think unless he was playing cut downs or kids clubs that the extra height shouldn't hurt too much and if the clubs are to short you can get shaft extenders. Enjoy it, pretty soon he'll be beating you.

lol...my game is still improving. It's going to be a few years before he can beat me:) I just had to prove to him a couple of months ago that he still can't beat me at basketball. In fact, he and a friend too me on in a 2 on 1 match, and together they barely beat me.

age and experience beats youth and strength everytime

Dusty23 wrote:

age and experience beats youth and strength everytime

Reminds me of a commercial I saw once. Grandfather and grandson are playing a round of golf. Grandson has a tall tree between him and the green. Grandfather says, "When I was your age, I would just go up and over that tree." Grandson says "OK", and tries it. Ball ends up in the tree. Grandfather smiles, and says "Of course, when I was your age, that tree was alot shorter."

mjaber wrote:

Dusty23 wrote: age and experience beats youth and strength everytime Reminds me of a commercial I saw once. Grandfather and grandson are playing a round of golf. Grandson has a tall tree between him and the green. Grandfather says, "When I was your age, I would just go up and over that tree." Grandson says "OK", and tries it. Ball ends up in the tree. Grandfather smiles, and says "Of course, when I was your age, that tree was alot shorter."

lol...this actually pertains to the signature hole "beer tree" that is in the middle of the fairway at my practice course on the par 5 fourth hole. When I was a kid, I would take a wedge from 120 out and go right over the tree. Now, I don't have a club in my bag that will get that much loft.

Dusty23 wrote:

age and experience beats youth and strength everytime

And the fact that even though my nephew is quick, he's not quick enough to dribble around my fat ass.

I tell you what, though. If he could hit a ten foot jumper, he would have a chance.