What age before you leave a junior alone

[Movingday]

What age did you drop junior off at the course for the day by themselves? Public or private

[leezer99]

The first time was when he was 12 but that was when he was playing with some local HS boys we are friends with.  Really though it became more frequent when he was 13 when we joined a private gated club.  Every other muni around us has questionable characters and a few homeless people that will bathe in the water fountains.

[darter79]

I think the location of the course and the characters of the folks there make a huge difference. Male vs female make a difference in that decision as well and of course how your own kid is and handles being responsible. Some are better than others.  

[leezer99]

14 minutes ago, darter79 said:

I think the location of the course and the characters of the folks there make a huge difference. Male vs female make a difference in that decision as well and of course how your own kid is and handles being responsible. Some are better than others.  

 

And how many burgers and shakes they put on your card when you're not there.

[darter79]

Just now, leezer99 said:

 

And how many burgers and shakes they put on your card when you're not there.

the fries at our course are to die for!!! 

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

12 hours ago, Movingday said:

What age did you drop junior off at the course for the day by themselves? Public or private

We used to drop my son off when he was 13 at the very public range.  High turn over. People would hit buckets and then leave.  He never had an issue and we stay in the area.  Shopping or what not.

 

He started playing about the same time.  He was usually paired up with someone.  first few times I was a little nervous, but I guess him being my second child as well.  That quickly faded. 

 

My daughter has been going with friends to private or public since about 14.  She might be short, but I would pity anyone messing with her.  Especially if she had a bad round.  She would need a new driver.

 

Small containers of pepper spray might make you feel better.

[heavy_hitter]

10

[mrshinsa]

I've witnessed on few occasions how adults behave differntly towards kids when their parents are not around.

 

One time my son was at the range and was chatting it up with his buddy.  An older lady turned around and snapped at them for being too loud, not realizing that I was nearby.  When I confronted her, she IMMEDIATELY changed her tone.

 

On another occasion at our practice facility, I've witnessed some adults start throwing BS rules at our kids like "you shouldn't be putting here" or "you shouldn't be hitting lob shots" etc...   Again, when I suddenly appear out of nowhere, things quickly change.  

 

My son is old enough to know how to handle himself now, but these things do happen.

Edited March 16, 2022 by mrshinsa

[Medson]

If you use an iPhone, you can consider getting an AirTag (https://www.apple.com/airtag/) and put it in junior's golf bag. 

[BloctonGolf11]

12, we have a nice public course with no safety issues and literally everyone knows who he is. Also, he has an iphone and Life360. 

[leezer99]

28 minutes ago, BloctonGolf11 said:

12, we have a nice public course with no safety issues and literally everyone knows who he is. Also, he has an iphone and Life360. 

+1 for Life360

[hangontight]

10, started dropping him off at public course to practice for an hour or so while we run some errands.  Staff and regulars know him well.  It usually takes about 3 minutes after I leave that I get a text notice that of a snackbar purchase on the greenlight card (kids debit card)!    He also will play with a buddy at their private club by themselves. .  I am fine with him playing alone at the public course, just hasnt yet for whatever reason.  He isnt ready for a phone yet, so he has a gizmo watch we can track him and he can call us from.  

Edited March 16, 2022 by hangontight

[BloctonGolf11]

6 minutes ago, hangontight said:

10, started dropping him off at public course to practice for an hour or so while we run some errands.  Staff and regulars know him well.  It usually takes about 3 minutes after I leave that I get a text notice that of a snackbar purchase on the greenlight card (kids debit card)!    He also will play with a buddy at their private club by themselves. .  I am fine with him playing alone at the public course, just hasnt yet for whatever reason.  He isnt ready for a phone yet, so he has a gizmo watch we can track him and he can call us from.  

Yeah my 12 year old's iphone is locked down tighter than Fort Knox. 

[hangontight]

3 hours ago, mrshinsa said:

I've witnessed on few occasions how adults behave differntly towards kids when their parents are not around.

 

One time my son was at the range and was chatting it up with his buddy.  An older lady turned around and snapped at them for being too loud, not realizing that I was nearby.  When I confronted her, she IMMEDIATELY changed her tone.

 

On another occasion at our practice facility, I've witnessed some adults start throwing BS rules at our kids like "you shouldn't be putting here" or "you shouldn't be hitting lob shots" etc...   Again, when I suddenly appear out of nowhere, things quickly change.  

 

My son is old enough to know how to handle himself now, but these things do happen.

Hate this.  When this happens I so badly want to challenge them to pony up whatever they have in their pocket in a 9 hole match against him - guarantying he will play faster, rake more bunkers, fix more pitch marks, and always take his hat off to shake your hand at the end.  😝 

[RmoorePE]

Country course, really only 3 holes along private residences, the rest is either a highway or pastures. We started leaving her at 12 years old for long periods of time (all day), at 10-11 we left her there for shorter amounts. She has a phone and a little but very loud squealer device that is attached to her bag. Life 360 is great I can see what fairway etc.

 

One time she was made uncomfortable by a guy in the yard of one of the houses along the course and called for pick up. She said he was filming her. I went up to the house the next day and the people there told me it was their adult son and he was impressed seeing a little girl out playing alone, and just wanted to show his kids the video. He noticed that she freaked out when she saw him filming and wanted to explain, but thought he might scare her even more. Very apologetic, and felt bad about it. The parents were nice people and have become fans of my daughter often bringing out cold drinks etc when she goes by.

 

Another time she got stuck behind a slow group (20 somethings) who just ignored the little kid behind them, she walked onto their tee box as they were getting out of their carts and hit her ball. They chirped at her but she just kept walking. She stopped by the shop and told the pro about it. He waited for them and blasted them when they came off 18. I asked if he was mad that she jumped ahead of them on the tee box, and he told her he would have done the same thing.

 

At younger ages some of the older members would reassure me that they were keeping an eye out for her (which was awesome). I think it all comes down to what kind of course it is and what kind of people are there.

 

Mr Shinsa is right some adults treat kids a little different, sometimes patronizing etc. I caught one of our older members trying to give my daughter tips on the range one day, and I had to tell him "She could beat you from the same tees by 15 strokes every time, do NOT give her any tips. You should be asking her for tips." He is still too embarrassed to talk to me.

[ChappyEight]

2 hours ago, BloctonGolf11 said:

12, we have a nice public course with no safety issues and literally everyone knows who he is. Also, he has an iphone and Life360. 

 

2 hours ago, leezer99 said:

+1 for Life360

+2 on Life360.  Peace of mind and it allows me to see what hole he's on, which is very helpful to know when to go pick him up at the end of the day.

[mrshinsa]

+3 on Life360. 

It's a must for any parents to see where their kids are, and a must for any husband to turn off the TV and put away the beer before the wife comes home.  

[MWhack]

Wow this all sounds bad with the safety, here i can drop my daughter in theory on any course and could leave, if she would behave well 😄
Never had any issues when she was at the practice area, most of the time when I come, I see adults speaking with her but more like the motivational talks, no blaming at all and high tolerance for kids.

But for now im 99% of the time with her just to make sure that she doesnt get bored and makes things she shouldnt.

[Goldenhawk]

For my oldest, we starting leaving him by himself at ranges and courses at age 12.  He usually had a couple of golf friends with him though.  Now he works at the golf course and range, so his younger brothers just hangout there now.  The youngest brother is now 13-1/2 and has been hanging there since he was 11.  Middle brother is 16, so he comes and goes from there on his schedule.

[tiger1873]

Depends on so much stuff. Some places are fine to leave a kid at 10.

 

The bigger thing is there has to be people around playing.  I would never leave my kids at any age on the Range or let them out on the course by themselves with no one else around.  

 

If other people are out there on the course or on the range then it is ok.  But i let them know they should not be alone with no one in sight. That can happen here easily in the summer.  Also i let them play with friends out there anytime.

[kekoa]

Never.  How will I yell at him for hitting a bad shot or missing a putt?  

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

20 hours ago, kekoa said:

Never.  How will I yell at him for hitting a bad shot or missing a putt?  

Anyone else waiting for Tiger to mention how he knows parents that do this?  Then we spend 3 pages arguing with him.  Man I miss the good ole days.

[jj9000]

Just now, TripleBogeysrbetter said:

Anyone else waiting for Tiger to mention how he knows parents that do this?  Then we spend 3 pages arguing with him.  Man I miss the good ole days.

 

Honestly, I'm waiting for Leezer to show us how to block someone again.  Never done it, but, I have someone in mind.

[leezer99]

10 hours ago, jj9000 said:

 

Honestly, I'm waiting for Leezer to show us how to block someone again.  Never done it, but, I have someone in mind.

Got you fam.

 

[jj9000]

3 hours ago, leezer99 said:

Got you fam.

 

 

Done.

 

Appreciate it.