Unsolicited advice on US Kids

[MWhack]

27 minutes ago, jkpgolf said:

It is my opinion that USKids tolerates more bad behavior than other tours. I think some Dads even feel that type of behavior is expected after watching the Short Game movie and show. 

These parents have never caddied before. They don't know what they are doing. 

There is a reason Parents/Guardians are not allowed to Caddy at USGA Jr. Amateurs. 

Ok, now I got your point. Yeah cant compare we have only USKids here but its actually what I wrote in another post, people don't know how to raise a child.
Now I understand as well why you blame USkids for that, and I partly agree if I hear, parents are renting professional Coaches/Caddies for state/Worlds or doing all the alignments for their kids each shot, yes in that case point for you, but I wouldn't say forbidding Caddies is good, cause some Childs love to be out with their parents, but a rule should be NO advices, beside of Yardage and some basic Caddie stuff, if parents want to Caddie they should do some kind of USKidsCaddie live coaching and "earn" a certificate. 
I hate if parents line up on the green or are down the line to the kid... more left now bit right WHATS WRONG WITH YOU I SAID RIGHT!!! 
Coach your kid after the tournament not during!

[jkpgolf]

2 minutes ago, Dallas said:

Maybe I’m wrong, but it really sounds like you have an axe to grind with US Kids. Our experience has been that our local tour is managed very poorly. For example, there was a registration fiasco with the site crashing a few days ago when registration went live, there was no summer tour in one of the largest markets in the country and fields are very small compared to other tours. Nonetheless, the tour generally attracts the best players and the tournaments themselves are well run if you can actually register. Further, States, Regionals and Worlds are good events.  The issues you have raised seem to run across all tours. There are parents and kids that are problems, but most are fine. Usually the parents / kids that cause issues play across multiple tours and not just US Kids. I certainly my don’t think US Kids promotes the behavior that you are citing any more than any other tour. 

No, no axe to grind. I really liked the organizers of the local and Regional USKids events. They always did a nice job. We have a shelf full of medals and trophies from USKids. But if I had to do It again, this is not what we would have done. 

Just wanted to share my knowledge and experience with others and save you money and hopefully make some great golfers out there who grow up to play for fun or College or even become pro's. 

I hate to see so many kids/parents stop playing because of USKids. USkids gives parents and kids a warped sense of what golf/ golf tournaments are all about. I know for some it's all they have but please don't fall into the USKids trap. You're doing your kids and you a disservice. You'll see what I mean when your kids start playing at a higher level, if they continue to play. 

I think I have commented on this more than enough. 

Again, this was just my opinion. 

Cheers to Junior golf and the best sport kids can play.  Golf gives nothing but joy to me and my family and I hope others are as fortunate as we have been to see what is possible for your kid if they work hard. 

You'll all find your own way. 

Who's enjoying watching the US AM? So fun to watch!

 

 

[kelpie]

It is what it is...it's a beginning tour, period. The goal is to get your player out of there as soon as they can. Here in CA, we have so many tours, you can choose what's best for them. Yes, US Kids gets really dramatic here, with the focus from the parents wanting medals and Instagram moments. Gain some experience and move up.

[Bizzle80]

This Summer is our first experience with USK or any tours for that matter. My daughter has been playing a few years and my goal was to get her to actually meet other girls her age playing. There are literally none at our club... For nothing else USK has been a huge success here in SoCal.

 

after only four events she now has a group of girls she likes playing with and we have played with some of them outside of tour events already...hosting two at our club this week alone for afternoon rounds. 

 

I think it goes back to what we as parents are expecting out of these tours for juniors. Having fun? Meeting new friends? Learning a sport? Checks all around for USK. Turning your 8yo into next LPGA/PGA phenom? Thats not a tour's responsibility, and frankly that's going to be more genetics and an individual Childs drive than anything a parent or tour can provide. 

 

I am curious though @jkpgolf - what specifically are you referring to that gives juniors a 'warped sense of what golf/ golf tournaments are all about.'

By no means am I trying to discount your opinion - you have clearly been doing this longer than me - but I want to understand what I should be looking out for as an issue? What is the disservice I should be looking out for? 

 

I am sure/hope that we continue to play other events and tours in the coming years, but for the moment USK has been great in our experience.

 

thx for your opinions tho...I am really enjoying learning all about the junior programs and tours.

 

 

 

 

 

[tiger1873]

19 hours ago, Dallas said:

Maybe I’m wrong, but it really sounds like you have an axe to grind with US Kids. Our experience has been that our local tour is managed very poorly. For example, there was a registration fiasco with the site crashing a few days ago when registration went live, there was no summer tour in one of the largest markets in the country and fields are very small compared to other tours. Nonetheless, the tour generally attracts the best players and the tournaments themselves are well run if you can actually register. Further, States, Regionals and Worlds are good events.  The issues you have raised seem to run across all tours. There are parents and kids that are problems, but most are fine. Usually the parents / kids that cause issues play across multiple tours and not just US Kids. I certainly my don’t think US Kids promotes the behavior that you are citing any more than any other tour. 

 

We moved around when my kids were younger. All the US Kids tours are the same. The Kids that win at the worlds tend to have over bearing parents.  I do not fault the parents because if you want a kid to win under 12 you have to be the parent that does everything and scare kid into not making mistakes.    If your this kind of parent your going to win a lot kid tournaments.

 

You look at the merchandise and hats they give it screams  Parent/Child team.    Some people love this and at least there spending time with their kids.  Some are abusive as well but I would say that is the exception.   For some of us leaving US Kids was the best thing but for others they have a hard time leaving.  Hence why US Kids teens is around.

 

 

  A lot this stems from the documentary the short game.  Look at Alex Pano she is a poster child for them and her dad is very involved with her. They been very successful and a lot parents want to emulate it.   

 

When you play other tours they really don't center on having parents caddy. This in my opinion helps a lot. Your always going to have over involved caddies but when the older groups do not have them parents sort of understand you can't be there forever. This helps you let go which a good thing.

 

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by tiger1873

[phillyspecial]

On 8/15/2021 at 10:42 PM, Bizzle80 said:

This Summer is our first experience with USK or any tours for that matter. My daughter has been playing a few years and my goal was to get her to actually meet other girls her age playing. There are literally none at our club... For nothing else USK has been a huge success here in SoCal.

 

after only four events she now has a group of girls she likes playing with and we have played with some of them outside of tour events already...hosting two at our club this week alone for afternoon rounds. 

 

I think it goes back to what we as parents are expecting out of these tours for juniors. Having fun? Meeting new friends? Learning a sport? Checks all around for USK. Turning your 8yo into next LPGA/PGA phenom? Thats not a tour's responsibility, and frankly that's going to be more genetics and an individual Childs drive than anything a parent or tour can provide. 

 

I am curious though @jkpgolf - what specifically are you referring to that gives juniors a 'warped sense of what golf/ golf tournaments are all about.'

By no means am I trying to discount your opinion - you have clearly been doing this longer than me - but I want to understand what I should be looking out for as an issue? What is the disservice I should be looking out for? 

 

I am sure/hope that we continue to play other events and tours in the coming years, but for the moment USK has been great in our experience.

 

thx for your opinions tho...I am really enjoying learning all about the junior programs and tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agree here and after reading the whole thread I'm unclear on what your advice is, or at least why you are so cynical toward USKG.  

 

We have had a great experience with it and locally here in MN it kills the local PGA stuff for <10yrs olds.  I think the lifelong memories and golf friendships it provides especially at the Regional/Worlds type stuff is special.   If you're a parent obsessing over IG followers and wondering where the letter from Stanford is after your top 5 at USKG worlds in the 8yr old division, that's not really USKGs fault!  

 

 

Edited August 17, 2021 by phillyspecial

[jkpgolf]

2 hours ago, phillyspecial said:

 

Agree here and after reading the whole thread I'm unclear on what your advice is, or at least why you are so cynical toward USKG.  

 

We have had a great experience with it and locally here in MN it kills the local PGA stuff for <10yrs olds.  I think the lifelong memories and golf friendships it provides especially at the Regional/Worlds type stuff is special.   If you're a parent obsessing over IG followers and wondering where the letter from Stanford is after your top 5 at USKG worlds in the 8yr old division, that's not really USKGs fault!  

 

 

Glad you had a good experience. I agree with you, some great relationships can be made. I've seen that too! 

 

However, the parents who know, know that IG can and does get you support from Manufacturers. And that support can mean a lot! 

Of Course finishing top 5 at 8  years old won't get traction with colleges. But again parents who know, also know that those top finishes at tourneys (other than US Kids) 12 years old on up will get some traction with Colleges. But to get those letters your kids have to be the cream of the crop. 

 

To clarify, my advice is if get away from US Kids tournaments as soon as possible. If you want your kids to compete and be cream of the crop get away from USKids. If you want your kids to enjoy golf and for you to not become "That Mom or Dad" get away from USKids. If you want your kids to enjoy golf and not be exposed to "Those Moms and Dads" get away from USKids.  The culture of USKids creates those parents and that environment. It's documented, watch it. 

If you happen to have an awesome USKids local tour, you are very lucky. Enjoy it, but move on as soon as possible so that you will continue to have those good memories and you won't have to leave on a sour note. 

We basically had a great experience but getting sucked into the points race and dealing with some parents who didn't know the rules etc. got old. 

We, and the kids learned so much more by playing other tours that allowed no parent interaction. If you want your kids to just have fun, they will have more fun and enjoy golf more this way. If you are looking for your kids to play College golf they will learn and advance so much faster as well. 

Just my opinion. 

 

 

 

[phillyspecial]

21 hours ago, jkpgolf said:

Glad you had a good experience. I agree with you, some great relationships can be made. I've seen that too! 

 

However, the parents who know, know that IG can and does get you support from Manufacturers. And that support can mean a lot! 

Of Course finishing top 5 at 8  years old won't get traction with colleges. But again parents who know, also know that those top finishes at tourneys (other than US Kids) 12 years old on up will get some traction with Colleges. But to get those letters your kids have to be the cream of the crop. 

 

To clarify, my advice is if get away from US Kids tournaments as soon as possible. If you want your kids to compete and be cream of the crop get away from USKids. If you want your kids to enjoy golf and for you to not become "That Mom or Dad" get away from USKids. If you want your kids to enjoy golf and not be exposed to "Those Moms and Dads" get away from USKids.  The culture of USKids creates those parents and that environment. It's documented, watch it. 

If you happen to have an awesome USKids local tour, you are very lucky. Enjoy it, but move on as soon as possible so that you will continue to have those good memories and you won't have to leave on a sour note. 

We basically had a great experience but getting sucked into the points race and dealing with some parents who didn't know the rules etc. got old. 

We, and the kids learned so much more by playing other tours that allowed no parent interaction. If you want your kids to just have fun, they will have more fun and enjoy golf more this way. If you are looking for your kids to play College golf they will learn and advance so much faster as well. 

Just my opinion. 

 

 

 

That seems to be the general feel of the most of the more veteran posters in this forum and I'm definitely taking it on board.  I will miss caddying when it's done, but I get it.  

 

 

[a_ryttet]

very little caddie help or adult oversight is allowed where we play. My experience tells me that atleast kids under 9  have a very hard time playing remotely close to the rules or learning basic parts of the game, like choosing a club, when out there on their own. 
 

Imho Parent caddies are great when you try to help the kids less everytime you are out there. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by a_ryttet

[MWhack]

On 8/23/2021 at 11:44 PM, a_ryttet said:

very little caddie help or adult oversight is allowed where we play. My experience tells me that atleast kids under 9  have a very hard time playing remotely close to the rules or learning basic parts of the game, like choosing a club, when out there on their own. 
 

Imho Parent caddies are great when you try to help the kids less everytime you are out there. 

You can also help with questions: Which club do you like to play from a downhill lie into a uphill lie... and this makes it easier for kids to make their decisions, ofc you should have spoken about it before.
Or how is the green flat up or down? how is your lie?
and so on, instead of doing everything... ofc they need some kind of help but lining up and being down the line.. go left more more… this doesn't help

keeping them in the moment and after the shot just distract them a bit, and dont teach them during a tournament I told you green is uphill you should have chosen club X... 
Its hard each child is different but the attention span I guess is very short for most, so make it fun and look for the opportunity to get them focused before the shot.. and if nothing helps just be happy, its not even really the kids fault

Edited August 25, 2021 by MWhack