NPR

I think my boy, nearly 9 yrs, would love golf and I'd like him to get into it so we can play (i'm terrible and haven't played for many years). Any advice for introducing him?

I was going to take him up to a range to try and hit a few balls, then get a few joint lessons, but don't want to put him off if he can't hit anything.

Slick wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:55 pm I think my boy, nearly 9 yrs, would love golf and I'd like him to get into it so we can play (i'm terrible and haven't played for many years). Any advice for introducing him?

I was going to take him up to a range to try and hit a few balls, then get a few joint lessons, but don't want to put him off if he can't hit anything.

Both my 11 and 9 year old attend a class at the local driving range which also has a 6 hole par 3 course. £45 each every 6 week each for a group lesson/class every week and 30 free balls every day and an unlimited amount of "rounds" on the wee course.

We started by just attending the driving range and borrowing a range driver. Did that for a few months letting them smack it about then got a lesson to give them a bit more structure before starting the groups a few weeks later. Key thing was just letting them have fun, the trackman has lots of games for them "go fish" is a favourite of theirs.

Big D wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:02 pm

Slick wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:55 pm I think my boy, nearly 9 yrs, would love golf and I'd like him to get into it so we can play (i'm terrible and haven't played for many years). Any advice for introducing him?

I was going to take him up to a range to try and hit a few balls, then get a few joint lessons, but don't want to put him off if he can't hit anything.

Both my 11 and 9 year old attend a class at the local driving range which also has a 6 hole par 3 course. £45 every 6 week each for a group lesson/class every week and 30 free balls every day and an unlimited amount of "rounds" on the wee course.

We started by just attending the driving range and borrowing a range driver. Did that for a few months letting them smack it about then got a lesson to give them a bit more structure before starting the groups a few weeks later. Key thing was just letting them have fun, the trackman has lots of games for them "go fish" is a favourite of theirs.

That seems really good value compared to some of the lessons I've seen. I'm probably looking at going to Braid Hills .

Thanks for this

Slick wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:25 pm

Big D wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:02 pm

Slick wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:55 pm I think my boy, nearly 9 yrs, would love golf and I'd like him to get into it so we can play (i'm terrible and haven't played for many years). Any advice for introducing him?

I was going to take him up to a range to try and hit a few balls, then get a few joint lessons, but don't want to put him off if he can't hit anything.

Both my 11 and 9 year old attend a class at the local driving range which also has a 6 hole par 3 course. £45 every 6 week each for a group lesson/class every week and 30 free balls every day and an unlimited amount of "rounds" on the wee course.

We started by just attending the driving range and borrowing a range driver. Did that for a few months letting them smack it about then got a lesson to give them a bit more structure before starting the groups a few weeks later. Key thing was just letting them have fun, the trackman has lots of games for them "go fish" is a favourite of theirs.

That seems really good value compared to some of the lessons I've seen. I'm probably looking at going to Braid Hills .

Thanks for this

If he takes to it, this is a good day out - https://www.wellsgreen.co.uk/ farm animals, driving range, wee course and decent food. £90 every 6 weeks feels a lot at the time but during the summer months is great value.

I took my daughter along to the Waikato Junior Golfing Society which started here in the 70s and has spread across the country.

We played once a month on a different course which was given to us free of charge.

Each months play contributed to the selection of a provincial team for a National "championship" which we won 3 times during my Presidency of the WJGS.

I also started up the Junior Pennants inter-club competition which still runs today.

Take him to the putting green. Easier to enjoy without learning any technique.

Biffer wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 8:42 pm Take him to the putting green. Easier to enjoy without learning any technique.

Or Krazy Golf

Slick wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:25 pm

Big D wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:02 pm

Slick wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 2:55 pm I think my boy, nearly 9 yrs, would love golf and I'd like him to get into it so we can play (i'm terrible and haven't played for many years). Any advice for introducing him?

I was going to take him up to a range to try and hit a few balls, then get a few joint lessons, but don't want to put him off if he can't hit anything.

Both my 11 and 9 year old attend a class at the local driving range which also has a 6 hole par 3 course. £45 every 6 week each for a group lesson/class every week and 30 free balls every day and an unlimited amount of "rounds" on the wee course.

We started by just attending the driving range and borrowing a range driver. Did that for a few months letting them smack it about then got a lesson to give them a bit more structure before starting the groups a few weeks later. Key thing was just letting them have fun, the trackman has lots of games for them "go fish" is a favourite of theirs.

That seems really good value compared to some of the lessons I've seen. I'm probably looking at going to Braid Hills .

Thanks for this

Braids is good fun and will provide clubs the right size for a youngster. You can also use the Trackman there - download the Trackman app before you go and you can see shots on your phone afterwards. Im sure they will run summer coaching classes for youngsters too?

A lot of clubs will offer very cheap membership for youngsters - mine will offer an u11 membership for £60 and 12-14 for £90. It means they can join any summer coaching sessions both on the course and in the Swing Studio where they can use the games like Go Fish. We are also trying hard to encourage youngsters to play golf - they have protected tee times on Friday and Sunday afternoons when they can play with their mates or go out with parents. Also most clubs will have tees suitable for beginners etc half way up the fairways. We are also hosting a Stephen Gallagher event in August which is aimed getting kids into golf and does great work.

dpedin wrote: Tue Jun 17, 2025 8:39 am

Slick wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:25 pm

Big D wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 3:02 pm

Both my 11 and 9 year old attend a class at the local driving range which also has a 6 hole par 3 course. £45 every 6 week each for a group lesson/class every week and 30 free balls every day and an unlimited amount of "rounds" on the wee course.

We started by just attending the driving range and borrowing a range driver. Did that for a few months letting them smack it about then got a lesson to give them a bit more structure before starting the groups a few weeks later. Key thing was just letting them have fun, the trackman has lots of games for them "go fish" is a favourite of theirs.

That seems really good value compared to some of the lessons I've seen. I'm probably looking at going to Braid Hills .

Thanks for this

Braids is good fun and will provide clubs the right size for a youngster. You can also use the Trackman there - download the Trackman app before you go and you can see shots on your phone afterwards. Im sure they will run summer coaching classes for youngsters too?

A lot of clubs will offer very cheap membership for youngsters - mine will offer an u11 membership for £60 and 12-14 for £90. It means they can join any summer coaching sessions both on the course and in the Swing Studio where they can use the games like Go Fish. We are also trying hard to encourage youngsters to play golf - they have protected tee times on Friday and Sunday afternoons when they can play with their mates or go out with parents. Also most clubs will have tees suitable for beginners etc half way up the fairways. We are also hosting a Stephen Gallagher event in August which is aimed getting kids into golf and does great work.

This is great, thank you

Any advice for organising a golf day? Stupidly volunteered to organise one for the cricket club and as I much prefer (trying to) hit a larger moving red ball this is new ground for me.

Particular advice welcomed on how to make a good day out of a very variable standard of golf - we’ll have everything from scratch golfers to barely able to hold a club. Early consideration is some sort of matchplay.

Also any ideas on the social side? We do post match fines so people will buy into this

Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:28 am Any advice for organising a golf day? Stupidly volunteered to organise one for the cricket club and as I much prefer (trying to) hit a larger moving red ball this is new ground for me.

Particular advice welcomed on how to make a good day out of a very variable standard of golf - we’ll have everything from scratch golfers to barely able to hold a club. Early consideration is some sort of matchplay.

Also any ideas on the social side? We do post match fines so people will buy into this

Texas Scramble is your friend here.

Each tee time is a group of four. They're all one team.

All four drive.

Second shot all four play from the spot of the best drive.

Continue with that all the way round. Every player plays from the spot of the previous best ball - although you can put a number on how many of each person's drives must be used to introduce a wee bit of jeopardy.

Gets everyone who's out together on the same side, playing against the other groups. Good players not held up by people 80 yards behind them off the tee. Bad players don't spend the entire day looking for balls in the bushes.

https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/th ... mble-64802

Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:42 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:28 am Any advice for organising a golf day? Stupidly volunteered to organise one for the cricket club and as I much prefer (trying to) hit a larger moving red ball this is new ground for me.

Particular advice welcomed on how to make a good day out of a very variable standard of golf - we’ll have everything from scratch golfers to barely able to hold a club. Early consideration is some sort of matchplay.

Also any ideas on the social side? We do post match fines so people will buy into this

Texas Scramble is your friend here.

Each tee time is a group of four. They're all one team.

All four drive.

Second shot all four play from the spot of the best drive.

Continue with that all the way round. Every player plays from the spot of the previous best ball - although you can put a number on how many of each person's drives must be used to introduce a wee bit of jeopardy.

Gets everyone who's out together on the same side, playing against the other groups. Good players not held up by people 80 yards behind them off the tee. Bad players don't spend the entire day looking for balls in the bushes.

https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/th ... mble-64802

I’ll look into this - thanks

With three majors out of the way, what are your predictions for the Ryder Cup team? for me -

Nailed on
McIlroy
Hatton
Rahm
McIntyre
Lowry
Rose
Fleetwood
Aberg
Hovland

then three from
Straka
Hojgaard
Detry
Olesen
Rai
Wallace

Although someone might come with a couple of storming results late on to take a spot.

Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 11:35 am With three majors out of the way, what are your predictions for the Ryder Cup team? for me -

Nailed on
McIlroy
Hatton
Rahm
McIntyre
Lowry
Rose
Fleetwood
Aberg
Hovland

then three from
Straka
Hojgaard
Detry
Olesen
Rai
Wallace

Although someone might come with a couple of storming results late on to take a spot.

Sorry Straka is nailed on.

Blackmac wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 8:48 pm

Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 11:35 am With three majors out of the way, what are your predictions for the Ryder Cup team? for me -

Nailed on
McIlroy
Hatton
Rahm
McIntyre
Lowry
Rose
Fleetwood
Aberg
Hovland

then three from
Straka
Hojgaard
Detry
Olesen
Rai
Wallace

Although someone might come with a couple of storming results late on to take a spot.

Sorry Straka is nailed on.

Fair comment, I have him on the border between the two. But if we have ten nailed on, the competition for the last two will be very interesting.

Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 8:49 pm

Blackmac wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 8:48 pm

Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 11:35 am With three majors out of the way, what are your predictions for the Ryder Cup team? for me -

Nailed on
McIlroy
Hatton
Rahm
McIntyre
Lowry
Rose
Fleetwood
Aberg
Hovland

then three from
Straka
Hojgaard
Detry
Olesen
Rai
Wallace

Although someone might come with a couple of storming results late on to take a spot.

Sorry Straka is nailed on.

Fair comment, I have him on the border between the two. But if we have ten nailed on, the competition for the last two will be very interesting.

Hojgaard and Detry for me but there are a couple of form players on the DP tour that might figure.

Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:28 am Any advice for organising a golf day? Stupidly volunteered to organise one for the cricket club and as I much prefer (trying to) hit a larger moving red ball this is new ground for me.

Particular advice welcomed on how to make a good day out of a very variable standard of golf - we’ll have everything from scratch golfers to barely able to hold a club. Early consideration is some sort of matchplay.

Also any ideas on the social side? We do post match fines so people will buy into this

I organised one recently, I literally just called the golf club and they did virtually all of it for me. Even sent invitations via email. Bacon roll breakfast and a pint in the 19th included in the green fee.

Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:28 am Any advice for organising a golf day? Stupidly volunteered to organise one for the cricket club and as I much prefer (trying to) hit a larger moving red ball this is new ground for me.

Particular advice welcomed on how to make a good day out of a very variable standard of golf - we’ll have everything from scratch golfers to barely able to hold a club. Early consideration is some sort of matchplay.

Also any ideas on the social side? We do post match fines so people will buy into this

Our rugby club had a golf day last week. They played a Texas Scramble, which allows even the beginner golfers to contribute. The golf club organised some food afterwards.

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:50 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:28 am Any advice for organising a golf day? Stupidly volunteered to organise one for the cricket club and as I much prefer (trying to) hit a larger moving red ball this is new ground for me.

Particular advice welcomed on how to make a good day out of a very variable standard of golf - we’ll have everything from scratch golfers to barely able to hold a club. Early consideration is some sort of matchplay.

Also any ideas on the social side? We do post match fines so people will buy into this

Our rugby club had a golf day last week. They played a Texas Scramble, which allows even the beginner golfers to contribute. The golf club organised some food afterwards.

Yup, Texas Scramble rules is ideal for a large group of players including novices. Pair each one with a more experienced player and they'll all have fun.

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:50 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:28 am Any advice for organising a golf day? Stupidly volunteered to organise one for the cricket club and as I much prefer (trying to) hit a larger moving red ball this is new ground for me.

Particular advice welcomed on how to make a good day out of a very variable standard of golf - we’ll have everything from scratch golfers to barely able to hold a club. Early consideration is some sort of matchplay.

Also any ideas on the social side? We do post match fines so people will buy into this

Our rugby club had a golf day last week. They played a Texas Scramble, which allows even the beginner golfers to contribute. The golf club organised some food afterwards.

A Texas Scramble is a great format but every one I have played in over the last few years has ended up with problems as the inevitable four WHS bandits put in a 15 or 20 under par round. There are some great videos available of the presentations. I think the best I saw was a team getting booed out of the clubhouse after posting a 48.

4 man Texas Scramble is ideal - it keeps everyone involved for 18 holes. Make sure you mix the teams so every team has a low and a high handicapper and a couple of average golfers. Handicap calculations can be googled - usually 25%/20%/15%/10% from high to low. You will need to set a max handicap for non golfers - probably 28? I would make it that each team has to use 4 tee shots from each member and, depending on the course (does it have 4 par 3s), one must be at a par 3. This makes it fun for the teams as they need to work out when to use which players tee shot - use make sure you aren't depending on the tee shot of the high handicapper on the last par 3!

Fines - the world is your lobster here! On trips we would have $1 fine for a number of on-course shots - usual tee shot not past ladies tee, hitting a tree, hitting OOB, not getting out of a bunker, etc. We would also have a general 'Fuckwittery' category when players/teams would have to fess up to any other indiscretions and pay a $1 fine - we would do this at the end of the round when everyone was finished and sitting together. We are constantly surprised at how many stupid things can happen in a round of golf! You could also have other categories ie worst dressed golfer, oldest club/set of clubs, latest arrival, etc We use our fines pot for end of Tour drinks and dinner so everyone gets their money back at the end of the day, its just fun way of collecting the money!

If going for a Texas Scramble then make sure everyone knows they need to move along, if they don't then it can get quite slow and back up on the course. I would set everyone a timescale and make sure they take responsibility for meeting it - probably 4 hours would be about right!

Most importantly have fun!

The 36 hole R&A amateur final today was an epic battle.

After 32 holes neither was ever more than 1 up. Then the American goes 2 up with 3 to play, Irish lad cans 2 big clutch putts to make it all square going down 36th.

Insane_Homer wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:37 pm The 36 hole R&A amateur final today was an epic battle.

After 32 holes neither was ever more than 1 up. Then the American goes 2 up with 3 to play, Irish lad cans 2 big clutch putts to make it all square going down 36th.

It's actually a marathon feat. Great competition and truly epic final. Watched the first 10 holes and the last 6.

Absolutely gutted for Tommy Fleetwood last night. He seems a top, top bloke and tee to green is definitely up there with the best, however his putting will always be a huge Achilles heel. 5 three putts in a round it just unacceptable.

That said the behaviour of the crowd was absolutely disgusting. America seems to have lost its shit when it comes to knowing how to behave like decent human beings. Rich Beem seemed close to tears at one point he was that angry.

The Ryder Cup in New York is going to be a shit show.

Blackmac wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:05 pm Absolutely gutted for Tommy Fleetwood last night. He seems a top, top bloke and tee to green is definitely up there with the best, however his putting will always be a huge Achilles heel. 5 three putts in a round it just unacceptable.

That said the behaviour of the crowd was absolutely disgusting. America seems to have lost its shit when it comes to knowing how to behave like decent human beings. Rich Beem seemed close to tears at one point he was that angry.

The Ryder Cup in New York is going to be a shit show.

Yeah, I've got a lot of time for Tommy. Hasn't just kicked into the winning habit like I've always hoped he would. Still got it in him to win a major and has a good few years left in the tank to do it.