Paranoid Parent ? - What age would you let your child go golfing?

[MosMom]

Chris wants to start taking Mo golfing this spring, they wouldn't go at peak times obviously but my MIL mentioned that quite a few people at their golf club were hit with golf balls. One woman was knocked out. I know nothing of golf, is this frequent? Is a golf course the place for a 6 year old? I love the idea of them having a hobby together but should I make her wear a bike helmet? LOL

For you golfers, what age is good for a kid to start golfing?

 

[CBRorBust]

LOL! I'm sorry, but I'm just laughing at the thought of seeing someone with a bike helmet walking around on a golf course.

Okay...I'm sorry...I'm sure someone will have an answer!

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I wouldn't take a little one to the golf course until they were 12.

 

[LtlTee]

My husband plays, and my son showed an interest very early, maybe when he was 3. We started him with a play set, of course, and just plastic practice balls. He's now 7 and has had a junior set of clubs for almost 2 years. He goes to the course with my husband and I don't have any fear for his safety. I think it's the same with any sport -- he just has to be aware of the basics of safe play.

I agree -- it would be quite a site to see someone on the course with a helmet!

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

My son has been going to the golf course with DH for the last couple of years...he is ten now and he loves it.

 

[elgerber]

My son is also ten, and he has been golfing with my husband probably 6-7 times in the last 2 years. Honestly safety issues never even occured to me. My husband golfs all the time and he has never mentioned any near misses with golf balls.

Erika

 

[TEENEE]

My son is 12 and has been going to the golf course with my mom for years. He loves golfing and it gives him some one on one with my mom. I say get him a cheap set of junior clubs and let him go. Who knows, you may have the next Tiger Woods on your hands.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

How about some lessons this Spring/Summer? A little girl that I used to baby-sit for and her friend took golf lessons around the age of 6. They had their own clubs and everything.

 

[KingsFanInRI]

Tiger Woods started playing golf when he was three. What if Mrs. Woods had made him wait until he was 12?

I have a friend whose 4-year old DS plays golf with him on a regular basis. If you have a responsible adult there to watch your DD, she will be okay, even without a helmet.

I have seen many young children on the golf course and never had a problem.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

DS took lessons at around age 6 (after hitting balls with DH for years). He would occasionally go along with DH and he would let him hit one now and again. He is 12 now and on the middle school golf team.
We did NOT have to have the "contact" sport part of the release form signed as they don't consider it too dangerous. I suppose a freaky accident could happen, but it could happen to DD at dance too.

 

[SeaShelley]

My son's had a club in his hands since he could walk...thanks to his Dad and his Papa! He loves it! He's almost ten and can out drive me by 20 or 30 yards most of the time. I think the best thing to do, besides leaving his bike helmet at home, is to see if the course offers any kids lessons.

IMHO, the first thing kids should learn before they even swing a club is proper golf etiquette. You'll also have to check with the club's policy....some private as well as public courses don't allow children under 10 or 12 to even play. Perhaps Chris could take Mo to the driving range a couple of times first, just to get the hang of it.

Best of luck!!

 

[CRB#33]

Wow! I thought this was the one sport I didn't need to worry about!

My DS has been golfing for since he was 10 with his Dad (he's 13 now). He has also taken two summer golf camps and nothing has happened.

 

[jkovick]

DNi & DNe have been golfing since age 5. My Dad & brother started them as soon as they could. They both love it!

 

[damo]

Our kids have also been on the golf course since they could walk. I have never even thought to be concerned to their safety. I have been golfing for 25 years and have never even been close to being hit by a golf ball.

 

[TimeforMe]

Originally posted by CBRorBust
LOL! I'm sorry, but I'm just laughing at the thought of seeing someone with a bike helmet walking around on a golf course.

Okay...I'm sorry...I'm sure someone will have an answer!

Me, too!!! I am still cracking up.

DS (now 14) has been golfing for years with his dad and we've never had a problem, even though he's never worn a helmet It's a great bonding time for both of them and gives me some well deserved time for myself and dd.

 

[mcnuss]

Oh my gosh! Please don't worry so much, you're going to give yourself an ulcer! Let them go have a good time together!

ps: My DD has been skiing since she was 3 and golfing since she wsa 6. I definitely consider golf to be a low to no-risk sport.

 

[Kallison]

I was gonna say ask Tiger Woods Dad but someone beat me to. Make sure enveryone knows what FORE means.

 

[nativetxn]

Travis got his first set of junior clubs at age 5. He golfed with his father frequently while he was growing up and they still play golf together. He has never been hit by a golf ball.

I'm sure it has happened to others, though.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Make sure no one is behind him when he swings. I knocked out one of my sister's teeth and chipped another with a wood. I was about 10 and she was 13. She's 43 and still hasn't gotten over it.

Lori

 

[CarolA]

I think your MIL has been hearing things....

I have seen people get hit by professional golfers at tournaments and they don't get knocked out.

As a matter of fact that is about the only time I can recall hearing or first hand seeing someone get hit and my family used to live on the golf course.

It is much safer in terms of physical contact then the average play date!