Taking your junior to a "Big Time" Course

You probably have a big time golf course in your area - think Pebble Beach, Sawgrass, Pinehurst # 2, maybe a prestigious private in your area, etc..... These courses are grossly overpriced (I'me not sure any course is worth $350 -500, but thats not the topic). They have some sort of bucket list quality about them and playing is a real treat... a splurge for sure. In our area, its the Ocean Course at Kiawah. My son, 7, is not quite ready to go play there, but looking ahead I am thinking that making it a reward based on good grades and a maybe a "scoring requirement" from the forward tees (+/- 5,000 yards). This probably puts us a few years away when he is 9 or so, we'll see. Obviously, I dont want to to just hand it to him. He needs to earn it. I usually play Ocean Course once a year (I have a few ways to play much cheaper than $400 rack rate). Nothing would make me happier than to make great memories knocking off bucket list courses with my son over the years.

Advice on taking your Junior to a "Big Time" golf course?

It would be a waste on anyone younger than 16. A 9 year old has no idea of the significance of the course. It's like taking your kid to the Grand Canyon, instead of them marveling at the canyon their building a pine cone fort.

Sounds great, but I'd wait until he's (at least) until the middle school years, probably later. I know with my son (soon to be 19), those memories of the "really-neat-thngs-he-did-with-Dad" when he was younger have faded faster for him than me.

Nothing against him, the kids are overloaded with so much stimuli these days. Just make sure to take lots of photos & videos. They grow up far too fast.

My son has a bucket list course and his coach holds the keys to him getting an invite to play. That being said, I wouldn't make it a results based reward.

Agree. I think I misstated that part. School obviously comes first and he knows that doing well in school gets him the privilege to do other fun activities (like golf). My thought on the "scoring requirement" comment was more to make sure he will be ready and able to play the course from Actual tee box's (not middle of the fairway).

Sounds great, but I'd wait until he's (at least) until the middle school years, probably later. I know with my son (soon to be 19), those memories of the "really-neat-thngs-he-did-with-Dad" when he was younger have faded faster for him than me.

Nothing against him, the kids are overloaded with so much stimuli these days. Just make sure to take lots of photos & videos. They grow up far too fast.

Good points. Sometimes I get stuck here- certainly they wont forever remember details of things they did when they were 8, BUT that doesn't mean they didn't enjoy the heck out of it at the time. My daughter is 4 and no way she will remember in 20 years going to Disney, but she sure had the time of her life when we took a trip this summer. Its not always about preserving the memory I guess - if that was the case we wouldn't do anything fun with them until they are teenagers.

It would be a waste on anyone younger than 16. A 9 year old has no idea of the significance of the course. It's like taking your kid to the Grand Canyon, instead of them marveling at the canyon their building a pine cone fort.

Love blanket statements like this. Thanks for sharing your quippy expertise on the psyche of ALL 9 year olds.

It would be a waste on anyone younger than 16. A 9 year old has no idea of the significance of the course. It's like taking your kid to the Grand Canyon, instead of them marveling at the canyon their building a pine cone fort.

 

Love blanket statements like this. Thanks for sharing your quippy expertise on the psyche of ALL 9 year olds.

I agree. Also (usually) with age comes skill, and I’m not a parent, but I could say that I would much rather enjoy a round at a great course with competition from my kid. I’d rather both play from 7,000 with someone who matches my skill than drag along with my kid playing four tees forward and hacking the ball around. I can tell my father did the same. I’m so thankful that he waited for my golf game to mature before taking me to places like Chambers and Streamsong. Made the experience more meaningful and enjoyable, especially for a once in a lifetime experience you get in those courses.

It would be a waste on anyone younger than 16. A 9 year old has no idea of the significance of the course. It's like taking your kid to the Grand Canyon, instead of them marveling at the canyon their building a pine cone fort.

I beg to differ. Nothing gets my 8 yr old more excited than a big time golf course with perfect conditions and amazing views. He has played several cc’s but I’ll probably take him to Pelican on his next birthday and likely Spyglass and Spanish bay next month. I hardly call it a waste.

It would be a waste on anyone younger than 16. A 9 year old has no idea of the significance of the course. It's like taking your kid to the Grand Canyon, instead of them marveling at the canyon their building a pine cone fort.

 

I beg to differ. Nothing gets my 8 yr old more excited than a big time golf course with perfect conditions and amazing views. He has played several cc's but I'll probably take him to Pelican on his next birthday and likely Spyglass and Spanish bay next month. I hardly call it a waste.

Have to echo Kekoa here. My son got to attend the Tour Championship last month with his golf coach (their academy does a trip). He came back with an entirely new understanding of the significance of the sport and has returned to wanting to go to the course every weekend to practice and play. He is only 8, was that somehow not significant? Saying a 9 year old cannot appreciate the significance of things is a ridiculously blanket statement. I had the opportunity to see a game at Fenway Park when I was 9 and still remember and treasure it to this day.

I say if you want to do it. Who cares if they are playing from shorter tees?

If I can find a deal, I will take my kid to an upscale course any time. We have been lucky to have met some people and made friends to play some local CC's in our area (Blackhawk and Diablo). Living in NorCal, there are lots of great courses on the Youth On Course including TPC Harding in San Francisco.

Youth on Course Participating Facilities:

https://www.google.c...86721875009&z=5

The best deal I have ever seen is with clubcorp. If you belong to one their clubs and have the ONE membership it is only Cart fee to play one their courses. Their is something like 250 courses you can play including places like pinehurst and PGA National.

I had a buddy who joined social in another state for something like $150 a month and used it to play courses near his home.