New-ish Clubs for my Kid (Advice Needed)

[tbowles411]

I'll preface this: He's high-functioning autistic.

 

I'm torn ya'll. My kid loves to play, but he's struggling mightily with ball placement. No matter what we do he keeps placing every iron in the same place with predicable results. I even went so far as drawing the placement points on his shoe with a Sharpie and it's just not coming. Attention is an issue, but I tell him all you need is about 30 seconds of focus and remembering what club you're hitting. Nada. I've asked my pro if we should give one length a try and he said absolutely not. Another pro said the same. I get why they're saying that in a way, but all I see is that he can hit a 7-iron, but not much else. He's either chunking or topping, and after a lesson, he's good for about a couple days, then it's back to whatever he does.

 

I'm just looking for some opinions. Part of me is just saying, "f" it and get the Cobra's but when he gets that clarity he pounds the crap out of his Callaway XRs. Like I said, I'm torn. I want him to have fun with the game, not play for a scholarship or anything like that. Thx!

[hangontight]

Try posting in the Junior Forum....you will get a ton of advice (some good & some bad)

[tbowles411]

Thx!

[sprcoop]

Sounds like the most important piece of equipment is already in place. He has the right Dad.

[Big A HG]

How old is he and how long has he been playing? I know plenty of adults who have played multiple times a week for years who can't do some of the things you are fretting about and he may just need a little more time to get used to making adjustments, of which he may easily figure out on his own eventually.

 

Let's say your kid loved baseball and wanted to be a pitcher. Try to picture explaining 14 different arm angles he needs to learn to throw, each one at varying velocities, all while trying to hit a strike zone every time without missing. It doesn't so easy all of a sudden! :)

 

You're doing good, dad, just keep working on it!

[tbowles411]

> @sprcoop said:

> Sounds like the most important piece of equipment is already in place. He has the right Dad.

Thanks! I try!

 

[tbowles411]

> @"Big A HG" said:

> How old is he and how long has he been playing? I know plenty of adults who have played multiple times a week for years who can't do some of the things you are fretting about and he may just need a little more time to get used to making adjustments, of which he may easily figure out on his own eventually.

>

> Let's say your kid loved baseball and wanted to be a pitcher. Try to picture explaining 14 different arm angles he needs to learn to throw, each one at varying velocities, all while trying to hit a strike zone every time without missing. It doesn't so easy all of a sudden! :)

>

> You're doing good, dad, just keep working on it!

He's 15 and has had a golf club in his hand since he was a baby. He used to call golf, "gabawl" (golf ball). We're working on course management (very stressful), but I know I have to leave him alone, except when he grabs a 5 iron from 100 yards out! I just want the kid to have fun. Things don't come easily to him and all his friends are good at something, and I want him to have his moment in the sun. We were at Top Golf with some of his friends and they had never hit a golf ball. My wife asked if I was going to help them. I said, "Nope. Not yet." I watched his buddies try to figure out how to hit the ball because "golf seemed easy." After 10 minutes I just handed my boy a 7 iron and he began striping them into the air. They learned a valuable lesson that day and my boy talks about it still, 5 years later. I'm a dad. Sue me. :)

 

I had him in baseball but there were way too many distractions, like people yelling from the stands, airplanes, butterflies, etc. It wasn't fair to him to expect him to just produce. He'd just freeze up. So I began taking him on the course with me and he loved it. All I said is he had give 30 seconds of focus then you can chase butterflies.

 

He wants to do well and he gets frustrated. I don't know if I'm looking for the easy button or just want to acknowledge what he can do. But thanks for the note!

 

[Ferguson]

> @tbowles411 said:

> I'll preface this: He's high-functioning autistic.

>

> I'm torn ya'll. My kid loves to play, but he's struggling mightily with ball placement. No matter what we do he keeps placing every iron in the same place with predicable results. I even went so far as drawing the placement points on his shoe with a Sharpie and it's just not coming. Attention is an issue, but I tell him all you need is about 30 seconds of focus and remembering what club you're hitting. Nada. I've asked my pro if we should give one length a try and he said absolutely not. Another pro said the same. I get why they're saying that in a way, but all I see is that he can hit a 7-iron, but not much else. He's either chunking or topping, and after a lesson, he's good for about a couple days, then it's back to whatever he does.

>

> I'm just looking for some opinions. Part of me is just saying, "f" it and get the Cobra's but when he gets that clarity he pounds the crap out of his Callaway XRs. Like I said, I'm torn. I want him to have fun with the game, not play for a scholarship or anything like that. Thx!

 

You're a good parent. I give you a lot of credit. Don't get caught up in clubs.

Try different colored balls.

 

Blue balls in the middle for irons.

White balls to the front for woods.

Yellow balls in the back for wedges.

 

Or use whatever colors he likes.

 

[tbowles411]

> @Ferguson said:

> > @tbowles411 said:

> > I'll preface this: He's high-functioning autistic.

> >

> > I'm torn ya'll. My kid loves to play, but he's struggling mightily with ball placement. No matter what we do he keeps placing every iron in the same place with predicable results. I even went so far as drawing the placement points on his shoe with a Sharpie and it's just not coming. Attention is an issue, but I tell him all you need is about 30 seconds of focus and remembering what club you're hitting. Nada. I've asked my pro if we should give one length a try and he said absolutely not. Another pro said the same. I get why they're saying that in a way, but all I see is that he can hit a 7-iron, but not much else. He's either chunking or topping, and after a lesson, he's good for about a couple days, then it's back to whatever he does.

> >

> > I'm just looking for some opinions. Part of me is just saying, "f" it and get the Cobra's but when he gets that clarity he pounds the crap out of his Callaway XRs. Like I said, I'm torn. I want him to have fun with the game, not play for a scholarship or anything like that. Thx!

>

> You're a good parent. I give you a lot of credit. Don't get caught up in clubs.

> Try different colored balls.

>

> Blue balls in the middle for irons.

> White balls to the front for woods.

> Yellow balls in the back for wedges.

>

> Or use whatever colors he likes.

>

Never thought of that. Thanks!

 

[SecondandGoal]

Great suggestion from Ferguson with the golf balls.

 

There's a fair amount of autism in my family, with my nephew being the most severe. He's trying to learn the game as an adult, and it's very difficult for him. You're doing a great thing for your son, encouraging him and letting him learn and figure things out on his own.

 

A lot of pros hate the idea of single length irons. Not really sure why. As an engineer, I definitely see the value in them. Here's the thing: have you asked your son how he feels about the idea? If he wants to give it a shot, there's ways to do it for short money. My first set of SL were home-built Pinhawks that I got the components from Value Golf. Cost me about $200 to build the set with graphite shafts (helps with my tendonitis), steel would be even cheaper. GlobalGolf has their "U-Try" program. You get a club/clubs for 14 days. If you don't want them, send them back. If you do, your rental fee is deducted from the purchase price. Currently $50 for a set of irons, and they have the Cobra F9 One Length.

 

Hell, if you're anywhere near MA, your son is welcome to try the Pinhawks, they're still sitting in my garage.

[tbowles411]

> @SecondandGoal said:

> Great suggestion from Ferguson with the golf balls.

>

> There's a fair amount of autism in my family, with my nephew being the most severe. He's trying to learn the game as an adult, and it's very difficult for him. You're doing a great thing for your son, encouraging him and letting him learn and figure things out on his own.

>

> A lot of pros hate the idea of single length irons. Not really sure why. As an engineer, I definitely see the value in them. Here's the thing: have you asked your son how he feels about the idea? If he wants to give it a shot, there's ways to do it for short money. My first set of SL were home-built Pinhawks that I got the components from Value Golf. Cost me about $200 to build the set with graphite shafts (helps with my tendonitis), steel would be even cheaper. GlobalGolf has their "U-Try" program. You get a club/clubs for 14 days. If you don't want them, send them back. If you do, your rental fee is deducted from the purchase price. Currently $50 for a set of irons, and they have the Cobra F9 One Length.

>

> ****, if you're anywhere near MA, your son is welcome to try the Pinhawks, they're still sitting in my garage.

Thank you for sharing and your thoughts. I didn't consider going the Pinhawk route to try them. I'm in Virginia and would take you up on them if I were closer. But I have more to think about. Thank you for the encouragement. I wonder if I'm spinning my wheels sometimes!

 

[SecondandGoal]

> @tbowles411 said:

> > @SecondandGoal said:

> > Great suggestion from Ferguson with the golf balls.

> >

> > There's a fair amount of autism in my family, with my nephew being the most severe. He's trying to learn the game as an adult, and it's very difficult for him. You're doing a great thing for your son, encouraging him and letting him learn and figure things out on his own.

> >

> > A lot of pros hate the idea of single length irons. Not really sure why. As an engineer, I definitely see the value in them. Here's the thing: have you asked your son how he feels about the idea? If he wants to give it a shot, there's ways to do it for short money. My first set of SL were home-built Pinhawks that I got the components from Value Golf. Cost me about $200 to build the set with graphite shafts (helps with my tendonitis), steel would be even cheaper. GlobalGolf has their "U-Try" program. You get a club/clubs for 14 days. If you don't want them, send them back. If you do, your rental fee is deducted from the purchase price. Currently $50 for a set of irons, and they have the Cobra F9 One Length.

> >

> > ****, if you're anywhere near MA, your son is welcome to try the Pinhawks, they're still sitting in my garage.

> Thank you for sharing and your thoughts. I didn't consider going the Pinhawk route to try them. I'm in Virginia and would take you up on them if I were closer. But I have more to think about. Thank you for the encouragement. I wonder if I'm spinning my wheels sometimes!

>

 

Tell ya what, if you decide you want to give them a shot, I'll ship the Pinhawks down to you. If he doesn't like them, send them back. If he does like them, keep them, and make a donation to Autism Speaks in your son's name.

[tbowles411]

> @SecondandGoal said:

> > @tbowles411 said:

> > > @SecondandGoal said:

> > > Great suggestion from Ferguson with the golf balls.

> > >

> > > There's a fair amount of autism in my family, with my nephew being the most severe. He's trying to learn the game as an adult, and it's very difficult for him. You're doing a great thing for your son, encouraging him and letting him learn and figure things out on his own.

> > >

> > > A lot of pros hate the idea of single length irons. Not really sure why. As an engineer, I definitely see the value in them. Here's the thing: have you asked your son how he feels about the idea? If he wants to give it a shot, there's ways to do it for short money. My first set of SL were home-built Pinhawks that I got the components from Value Golf. Cost me about $200 to build the set with graphite shafts (helps with my tendonitis), steel would be even cheaper. GlobalGolf has their "U-Try" program. You get a club/clubs for 14 days. If you don't want them, send them back. If you do, your rental fee is deducted from the purchase price. Currently $50 for a set of irons, and they have the Cobra F9 One Length.

> > >

> > > ****, if you're anywhere near MA, your son is welcome to try the Pinhawks, they're still sitting in my garage.

> > Thank you for sharing and your thoughts. I didn't consider going the Pinhawk route to try them. I'm in Virginia and would take you up on them if I were closer. But I have more to think about. Thank you for the encouragement. I wonder if I'm spinning my wheels sometimes!

> >

>

> Tell ya what, if you decide you want to give them a shot, I'll ship the Pinhawks down to you. If he doesn't like them, send them back. If he does like them, keep them, and make a donation to Autism Speaks in your son's name.

Holy crap. That's awesome of you to do that. I'll PM you my address and if he likes them, they'll get a nice donation. Thank you so much! I'm really floored and touched!

 

[KAndyMan]

Man there is a whole lot of awesomeness going on in this thread!!

Great idea by Ferguson with the different colored balls. Id say if thats tricky too maybe try numbering them so like ball 1 is up front for driver/FWs, 2 could be mid stance mid irons and 3 be lower irons.

Also great of SecondandGoal to hook you up and honestly i think single length could be a great option for him specially for building confidence. Even if he decided later down the road after getting comfy with single length and he wants standard length the learning curve should be very minimal.

Im willing to bet though once he gets confident and finds his groove watch out dad the kids got great potential. While probably a little more severe case just look at how Moe Norman could hit the ball once he figured it out...

 

[huckitchuckit]

Look into First Tee, I know at my old golf course we would always give away our lost and found clubs, after they were there for a while, to first tee.

[BIG STU]

> @SecondandGoal said:

> > @tbowles411 said:

> > > @SecondandGoal said:

> > > Great suggestion from Ferguson with the golf balls.

> > >

> > > There's a fair amount of autism in my family, with my nephew being the most severe. He's trying to learn the game as an adult, and it's very difficult for him. You're doing a great thing for your son, encouraging him and letting him learn and figure things out on his own.

> > >

> > > A lot of pros hate the idea of single length irons. Not really sure why. As an engineer, I definitely see the value in them. Here's the thing: have you asked your son how he feels about the idea? If he wants to give it a shot, there's ways to do it for short money. My first set of SL were home-built Pinhawks that I got the components from Value Golf. Cost me about $200 to build the set with graphite shafts (helps with my tendonitis), steel would be even cheaper. GlobalGolf has their "U-Try" program. You get a club/clubs for 14 days. If you don't want them, send them back. If you do, your rental fee is deducted from the purchase price. Currently $50 for a set of irons, and they have the Cobra F9 One Length.

> > >

> > > ****, if you're anywhere near MA, your son is welcome to try the Pinhawks, they're still sitting in my garage.

> > Thank you for sharing and your thoughts. I didn't consider going the Pinhawk route to try them. I'm in Virginia and would take you up on them if I were closer. But I have more to think about. Thank you for the encouragement. I wonder if I'm spinning my wheels sometimes!

> >

>

> Tell ya what, if you decide you want to give them a shot, I'll ship the Pinhawks down to you. If he doesn't like them, send them back. If he does like them, keep them, and make a donation to Autism Speaks in your son's name.

 

That my friend was really decent of you--- My hat is off to you

[BIG STU]

I will say you are being a great DAD! One thing I suggest is maybe let him hit or play some on his own--- I think maybe finding his progress will make him proud to show you--- Also sometimes it is fun to figure out the game on your own with some imagination. Remember there is no one etched in stone way to swing a club or play this game--- I also suggest challenge him like say give him a couple of strokes a hole and maybe a tee or 2 then tell him you are going to play him hard--- Make it fun and challenging