Want to Raise a Junior Golfer? Here's a Simple Guide

Pack up those tees and take a seat, because you’re about to read a junior golf guide that’ll make your life so much easier.

We, at Turtles and Tees, believe that golf is a top contender for children’s sports. While we don’t recommend forcing your child to engage in a sport they don’t enjoy, it’s important to ensure that no matter what sport, activity, and so on that they try is welcoming, fun, and challenging to an appropriate degree. Signing your child up for a new activity can be intimidating, especially if you don’t have experience in it yourself. We’re here to help answer some of your biggest questions!

1) How can we try it out without spending money on all of the gear?

Fortunately, golf is often a family activity - kids outgrow their gear quickly. Look for local secondhand sports store to find used gear recommended by experts. One of my favorite chains is Play It Again Sports, which can be find throughout the US. Or, shoot for something more specific, like 2nd Swing, who specialize in second hand golf gear. If you can’t find a secondhand store with knowledgable employees near you, try joining a local Facebook group or reach out to a local club - chances are, there will be plenty of families looking to pass hand-me-downs off to a curious and excited family.

2) Can I really get my kid into a sport that I don't do?

Of course! The best thing you can do is research, be supportive, and check in with them to make sure they’re enjoying themselves. However, we do highly recommend getting into it yourself. After all, the best way to learn is to do. It’s intimidating to start something new at any age, but immersing yourself in the community and being able to bond with your children are two highly beneficial reasons to dabble in the sport yourself.

3) Why golf?

As with any physical activity, the health benefits of golf are clear. Outside of that, golf teaches discipline and sportsmanship. The community is welcoming and full of participants with different backgrounds - meaning your children will more than likely make friends outside of their immediate community. It teaches practice and patience, while building lifelong social and physical skills. 

4) Are there camps or other extensive training programs?

Sure! If you’re serious about getting into golf, or your child is starting out and wants extra training with professionals, there are quite a few options for you. First, you may want to check out local clubs and school programs. If those won’t suffice or you want more, there are tons of junior golf camps held by the PGA, and even a “junior golf passport”. We’ve linked them here for you, but to summarize: both of these options provide for organized, structured lessons, camps, and things of the like to help your child become more confident, comfortable, and skilled on the golf course. You’ll find details on age requirements, lessons, locations, and more on their websites (linked above). 

5) Is my child too old to start golf? Too young?

It’s never too late to start, but I’m sure a newborn swinging a club would turn some heads… 

In all seriousness, though, we don’t think it’s ever too late or too early to start. With programs held locally and nationally for players of all ages, the options and resources are readily available for those interested and motivated. As we get older, we tend to regret not starting a sport (or instrument or anything really!) earlier.

While it’s never too late to start, the earlier the better if you’re able to do so! With that said, if you’re a family that spends a lot of time on the golf course, take your toddler with you. As with any activity with a little one, it’ll be important to dress them properly and be prepared with snacks, water, sunscreen, and so on. 
If your child is older, or perhaps you have no golf experience yourself, opting into a local, structured program for kids, having them sign up through school programs, or a national program with many locations are all wonderful options. 

The most important part? Their parents are there to support them, encourage them, and listen to them.

Looking for some UPF protected clothing for infants? We specialize in unique, functional clothing for young golfers and tennis players. Check out our selection of infant and toddler golf clothes to browse unique clothing made with safety, comfort, and movement in mind.

6) My child doesn’t like golf - what can I do?

First and foremost, listening to you child’s joys and disdains, wants and needs is important. If your child has been golfing for quite a long time and isn’t enjoying it, perhaps the sport isn’t for them. On the other hand, they may just need a change of pace - are they playing competitively and not enjoying it? Do they feel welcomed and warmed by the club, team, or environment they are playing in? Changing up where they play, who they play with, and how they play are all alternative options to giving the sport up completely. 

Perhaps your child has just started golfing and just can’t seem to get into it. Trying a different approach, like playing fun rounds of mini golf or doing more outings with friends and family can both be ways to ensure that your child is having fun and being surrounded by a welcoming community. If they’re feeling intimidated, mini golf or putt-putt are great options to ween into the sport. Both of these games are built at a smaller scale than their parent game of golf, so your little one will likely feel more comfortable. 

If getting to a golf course is difficult, too costly, or whatever the reason may be, having a club or two handy at home paired with some light plastic balls (like a whiffle ball) can be handy. Not only is it fun, but it makes it much easier to spend time with your kid(s), whether that’s working on their skills, learning from each other, or just plain ol’ backyard bonding.

7) Not really a question, but… a checklist!

Some staple items you’ll likely want to supply to your children include:

• Activewear
• Golf shoes
• Golf clubs
• Tees
• Balls
• A golf bag
• A golf glove

While the list could go on and on, we want to stick to the basics. After all, the more on the list, the pricier it gets. Again, don’t hesitate to reach out to other families and/or clubs or check out used gear stores and Facebook groups for budget friendly staples. 

8) Do I have to get clubs? 

You absolutely do not need to invest in these, especially if they’re just starting out. If your child is upping their skill quickly, it might be time to invest. If they’re questioning if they want to continue or not, perhaps wait until they’d like to continue pursuing the sport before investing yourself any further. As always, though, if your child is really interested, motivated, and excited to continue, having their own set of clubs can make a world of difference. If the cost is an issue, the aforementioned options are sure to have options that won't break the bank.

9) What kind clothes are best to golf in? 

With golf being a typically outdoors, warmer weather sport, it’s important to have not only sweat wicking, breathable clothing, but also clothing that is durable and long lasting. At Turtles and Tees, we craft out clothing carefully with movement, comfort, and safety in mind - especially when it comes to children. Look for:

• Sweat wicking material
• Breathable materials, like polyester/polyester blends
• UPF sun protection
• Ease of use, fashion, and comfort to your child’s liking

Whether you need short or long sleeves, pants or shorts, and so on will depend on both the weather and your child’s preferences (and occasionally uniform/attire requirements). If you’re golfing at a local club, make sure that you’re following their attire requirements - many do. Look for polo shirts, trousers or chino shorts, skorts, comfortable socks and golf shoes, and accessories like hats and headbands. Here’s a quick example of our favorite junior girls’ golf outfit from our collection:

A Golf Dress: A comfortable golf dress is a fantastic option for young ladies who prefer those over two-piece outfits, like a polo and shorts. Our girl's golf dresses are uniquely designed and crafted with UPF sun protection, moisture wicking, and have mesh shorts included. Check out the girls' Naomi Dress in Del Mar Lavender here:

Pair her favorite dress with a headband, visor, or ball cap:

If dresses aren't her thing, or you're shopping for boys golf clothes, we have plenty of polos, shorts, skorts, and outerwear available to browse!

A few other things…

The golfing world is huge, and there are different variations of the game. We can’t fit everything in one small article, especially a base level one full of quick tips; we encourage you to reach out to family, friends, local clubs, school teams, and so on for more resources and information around yours and children's’ interests. 
If you have any questions, leave your comments below or fill out our contact form & we will do our best to answer them!