Dads: Sons that play baseball and golf

[Tailgater]

My seven year old is just starting more organized golf. He is a pretty good baseball player. Baseball is his first love. He is playing both golf (First Tee) and baseball this spring. He just moved to a more competitive baseball team.

 

I see him getting confused with the two swings sometimes. Has anyone else had to deal with this? Any advice?

 

Thanks in advance.

[CommerceTiger]

They don't go hand in hand. I was a baseball/golfer for years. It will hurt his golf swing a lot more than his baseball swing.

[Tailgater]

They don't go hand in hand. I was a baseball/golfer for years. It will hurt his golf swing a lot more than his baseball swing.

At this point, I would rather hurt his golf swing instead of his baseball swing. Do you recommend him not playing golf now and just wait on golf?

[BigUnit68]

They don't go hand in hand. I was a baseball/golfer for years. It will hurt his golf swing a lot more than his baseball swing.

At this point, I would rather hurt his golf swing instead of his baseball swing. Do you recommend him not playing golf now and just wait on golf?

 

Have him play golf in the off season. My son is 15 now and was a really good baseball player/pitcher. Has now shifted his focus to golf...However, when he was younger I always tried to keep the clubs away until his season was over.

 

I would never advocate not allowing them to do something they love but rather to just be the voice of reason for them and at age 7 if he is really into baseball just encourage to play baseball...Work on the golf swing afterwards.

 

 

[bubbagump]

I played baseball from when I was 4 into college and started playing golf later in high school. When I was playing both at the same time, my golf swing got a little jacked for sure. Would just have the plane a bit off, but wouldn't take too long to fix. The good part of playing baseball meant the mechanics of the golf swing were naturally ingrained and distance was always pretty easy, but at the same time the golf swing suffered.

 

He should be fine baseball wise.

[CommerceTiger]

They don't go hand in hand. I was a baseball/golfer for years. It will hurt his golf swing a lot more than his baseball swing.

At this point, I would rather hurt his golf swing instead of his baseball swing. Do you recommend him not playing golf now and just wait on golf?

 

At that age I'd recommend just letting him play what he wants to play. When he's in high school and his performance matters a little more maybe worry more about it then but for now I'd say let him have fun

[Springsteennut]

I coached baseball with a guy who was a pro at a local course. He had two sons and they were both very good baseball players and golfers. My son played a lot of golf during the baseball season and he was an excellent hitter.

[golfandfishing]

I played baseball and golf through high school, so did a teammate two years younger. We competed for state titles in both. I don't recall ever confusing a 6 iron over water for a slider. The two swings never parlayed into the other sport and we would often play both in the same day.

[BMKibler12]

I echo Major Winner and just let him have fun for now. It's awesome your kid is into sports that you love.

 

As he gets older, it's a great way to teach him why the swings are different and how they impact each other. You can use that as a guide to help him understand both swings better. If he's able to transition from baseball to golf and back successfully, he's on his way to playing both sports at a high level.

[Tailgater]

Great responses all the way around. I decided to let him decide. He says he wants to play both but spend a lot more time on baseball. I think I will limit his golf practice just to Saturdays and Sundays so he won't get too confused. Baseball is every day.

 

Thanks to all that responded.

[Loomis13]

I played both in high school and my golf swing got more messed up than my baseball swing. I can also say now that I have been away from baseball for two years I am much butter at golf. I think your son will be fine. If you notice anything drastic then maybe it's time to do something, or talk about it with your son and let him make the call

[ShooterMcGavin311]

I played baseball and golf growing up. Baseball coach used to make fun of my posing after hits with my back foot up and my golf coach used to make fun of me for lifting up my front leg during my swing. the muscle memory issues are pretty significant and may delay progress for both sports