I gotta' brag a bit......my 8 year old son shot 77 today......>>>

[slicefixer]

from the "kid tee's" at our club......it's pretty short and he's pretty tall for an 8 year old (and can bust it for an 8 year old too....:cheesy:).....I was really proud of him as he shout 36 on the back.....damn near beat me on the back 9.....LOL......NEVER thought in my wildest dreams I'd have to worry about my son beating me until he was in his early teen's......but these "kid's tee's" are a GREAT idea IMOP as they allow even an 8 year old to compete with adults "head to head" under somewhat "level" conditions......I think ALL courses should build a set of "kid's tees".....get's them use to shootin' decent scores.....it's a helluva' LOT of fun to have to GRIND to make a putt to beat your 8 year old.....:) :cheesy:

[Golf_Beauty]

......I think ALL courses should build a set of "kid's tees"..... :cheesy:

 

There's a course here in WA (Walter Hall) that has kid's tees. I love it...especially when you see the kids hit a great shot and get excited about it. It makes me more excited about the game. Congrats to your son. :)

[taylormadefan]

Congrats to you and more importantly your son! :)

 

8 years old and already broken 80, that's one heck of an accomplishment.

 

Congratulations again!

[slicefixer]

First time today.......

 

NOW, I don't want anyone to think he's the 2nd comin' of Tiger Woods.....he isn't to this point......he shot 100 from the ladies tee's @ Mount Vintage Plantation during our recent Masters trip.......but the course was simply too long for him even from the "reds"......that's why I like the idea of "kid's tees" so much as he IS a LOT better than a 100........but his "par" on MV was probably 90 due to all the par 4's that were par 5's for him, etc.......so these kid's tees are really cool IMOP.......

[taylormadefan]

First time today.......

 

NOW, I don't want anyone to think he's the 2nd comin' of Tiger Woods.....he isn't to this point......he shot 100 from the ladies tee's @ Mount Vintage Plantation during our recent Masters trip.......but the course was simply too long for him even from the "reds"......that's why I like the idea of "kid's tees" so much as he IS a LOT better than a 100........but his "par" on MV was probably 90 due to all the par 4's that were par 5's for him, etc.......so these kid's tees are really cool IMOP.......

 

Slicefixer,

 

You CLEARLY know what you're doing with your students and son, so I don't want you to take this as critisisim, just purely curiosity and as reference for my future progeny. :)

 

Do you see any danger with kids becoming too "comfortable" with the kids tees? I realize they give them a more achieveable goal. However, I know that for myself, I tend to swing a little more freely and aggressively when I play a course that's longer than my home.

[pitbull808]

Slicefixer...congratulations to you and your son! I hope he continues his great strides! Tell him we're all proud of him! :)

[Yooper]

Congrats to your son Slicefixer. I have never heard of kids tees before though. I think that is a an awesome idea for the youngsters. If he keeps it up he will be whoopin' on his Dad in no time!!!

 

Yooper

[slicefixer]

First time today.......

 

NOW, I don't want anyone to think he's the 2nd comin' of Tiger Woods.....he isn't to this point......he shot 100 from the ladies tee's @ Mount Vintage Plantation during our recent Masters trip.......but the course was simply too long for him even from the "reds"......that's why I like the idea of "kid's tees" so much as he IS a LOT better than a 100........but his "par" on MV was probably 90 due to all the par 4's that were par 5's for him, etc.......so these kid's tees are really cool IMOP.......

 

Slicefixer,

 

You CLEARLY know what you're doing with your students and son, so I don't want you to take this as critisisim, just purely curiosity and as reference for my future progeny. :cheesy:

 

Do you see any danger with kids becoming too "comfortable" with the kids tees? I realize they give them a more achieveable goal. However, I know that for myself, I tend to swing a little more freely and aggressively when I play a course that's longer than my home.

 

NONE taken......hell, I've got pretty "thick skin" nowadays anyway......:cheesy:

 

I can see your point VERY clearly and have thought about it.......I'll simply "move him up" as he gets better/longer.......no biggie......but I think its VERY important for kid's to "get use" to shooting low scores as early as possible......and I want him to have somewhere near the same clubs into the greens as I do IF we both hit decent tee shots, etc. I see too many kid's who have NO idea how to "score"......or are GREAT on the range and CANNOT take it to the course.......and I do NOT want my son to go through this......IF HE wants to be a "great player" then I want him to LEARN how to "score" as LOW as he possibly can NOW......but when there is NO "scoring challenge" for him he WILL "move back".......

 

And nother thing, I TRULY feel that ALL players need to learn to NOT "pigeon hole" themselves into a handicap......go to the course "seeing" themselves as an 8 hdcp.....a 2 hdcp......a 10....an 18.....etc.......because when they do they've about ELMINATED E V E R improving/lowering their score/hdcp substantially.......they "see" themselves as a 12 so they "score" to a 12.......even IF their "game"/"swing" has improved WAAAAY beyond a 12 in PRACTICE.......they ONLY feel "comfortable" when they are firing 84 - 86........so when they've improved their game BEYOND a 12 they don't "feel comforable" when they're 2 over through 7......dawns on them that if they "par in" they will shoot 38.......and that's "half of 76".....and that's 5 shots lower than they've EVER shot.......so what happens.......they're "anxiety level" climbs into the stratosphere and they are then DOOMED to make a couple of doubles, etc. to get back into their "comfort zone".......that way they've just ELIMINATED ANY possibility of firing a personal best and the "anxiety" goes away......

 

Ridiculous IMOP......golf is about playing "one shot at a time".......staying in the "present".......same things ALL of the sport's shrinks preach 24/7/365.......and they are true.......basically I think EVERY golfer needs to "learn" that the ONLY shot thats important is the one in front of them and to play it the best they can "within' their capability"........then go find it and repeat........then add them up at the end.......TRY and "learn to just PLAY golf".......NOT "golf swing"......or "golf score"......just "hit it and find it and hit it again then add them up"....:)

 

I'm doing my best to "teach" my son these lessons right now WITHOUT "preaching" or taking the FUN out of playing the game......NO pressure.....just FUN......

 

BTW, I think its a GREAT idea for ALL players to play a round occasionally from tees that are "easier" than the ones they currently play all the time......what tha' hell.......it's still about "scoring"........:blink:

[rednumbers69]

congrats...sounds like there will be lots of good times on the course 4 u 2

[taylormadefan]

 

BTW, I think its a GREAT idea for ALL players to play a round occasionally from tees that are "easier" than the ones they currently play all the time......what tha' hell.......it's still about "scoring"........:)

 

That's an awesome post slicefixer, I'm glad I asked you that question. I guess that's what guys like Bart Bryant and Jerry Kelly talk about when they talk about fear of success.

 

I think a lot of people remember to challenge themselves with tougher courses, but often forget to challenge themselves on easier courses as well.

 

I know I have.

[slicefixer]

Gotta' LOWER your "expectation level"....(although personally I think all golfers need to learn to have NO "expectations"......just PREPARE the best you can and let er' fly)........learn to NOT be scared of being 2 under....3 under....4 under........what tha' hell, it's JUST a golf score......and when compared to some of the problems we experience in "real life" pale in comparison.......

 

You ever heard of anyone being taken out back and executed at dawn for firing a poor score? :)

[Golfchicago]

Slice, that is awesome. I've got a four year old. I just take him to the range and the putting green. He is crazy about the game. I can't wait til my kid is able to progress more., but I'm just letting him have fun right now and he is and that will be the main theme always.

[TJW]

from the "kid tee's" at our club......it's pretty short and he's pretty tall for an 8 year old (and can bust it for an 8 year old too....:cheesy:).....I was really proud of him as he shout 36 on the back.....damn near beat me on the back 9.....LOL......NEVER thought in my wildest dreams I'd have to worry about my son beating me until he was in his early teen's......but these "kid's tee's" are a GREAT idea IMOP as they allow even an 8 year old to compete with adults "head to head" under somewhat "level" conditions......I think ALL courses should build a set of "kid's tees".....get's them use to shootin' decent scores.....it's a helluva' LOT of fun to have to GRIND to make a putt to beat your 8 year old.....:) :cheesy:

 

What does he charge for an hourly lesson rate?

 

-TJW

[pargolfer]

I've worked at a kid's golf camp and I know exactly what you mean.

 

If a hole is 400 yards, there's no chance an 8 year old can make a par without getting lucky. By moving them up to tees that are comfortable for them, kids can get comfortable with actually scoring and playing well. It's disappointing to shoot 101 when you're dad's shot an 80. For a kid, being able to compete with their parent is a great motivator, being able to challenge their parents is great for both people.

 

Congrats to your son on a great round.

[dangraham]

Congratulations to you and your son.

 

I think there was some junior tees at Celebration, Florida (Disney course) they were only about 200y max. i think that they are a great idea and i will recommend them at my club in england.

[kblakeney35]

Gotta' LOWER your "expectation level"....(although personally I think all golfers need to learn to have NO "expectations"......just PREPARE the best you can and let er' fly)........learn to NOT be scared of being 2 under....3 under....4 under........what tha' hell, it's JUST a golf score......and when compared to some of the problems we experience in "real life" pale in comparison.......

 

You ever heard of anyone being taken out back and executed at dawn for firing a poor score? :cheesy:

 

 

That's kinda like what Moe Norman said during an interview with Golf Digest just before his death, he said to carry lots of money in your pocket, take it out, and count it before you round. A round of golf doesnt seem so important right after youve finished counting several thousand dollars according to him.

 

That makes sense, but I still dont think I'll carry any more than $50 with me at a time :cheesy:

 

 

-Kyle :)

[cleatsupkeep]

Great posts everyone - some really good insight here.

 

One day my home course had a junior tournament, and set up these yellow tee markers between 100 and 250 yards out.

 

I remember there is a specific yardage => par in junior golf, which I think is good. I think it is great to see kids out playing - the next generation of golfers.

[MBuckler]

hey guys, just saw this post. 1) congrats to your son. sounds like you got him goin in the right direction. amd 2) i work as an asst. pro at a course built with kids in mind. the National Youth Golf Center in Blaine, MN. now dont get confused. its a big boy course too. plays 7100yrds par 71 74.6/137 from the tips. but we have 6 sets of tee boxes on each hole, the very front ones play just over 2800yrds for the full 18. and we've got everything inbetween. if anyone wants anymore info they can PM me with questions or check out www.golfnygc.org.

[VTHOKIES]

slicefixer, excellent post/thread. I think kids tees are very important to the training of boys/girls in the game of golf. Like you said, it teaches them how to go low and that is very important. He can also compete with you and score relatively to you depending on his ability. This will keep him very interested and motivated to improve where is if he continued to play and struggle to break 100 he might loose a little interest or focus and feel he is not very good. Awesome post.

 

My son is getting ready to turn 7 in a couple of months and he loves going out to play and the other day he made a legit 10 on a 350 yard hole. It could have been better but he 4 jacked the green. My point is the delight on his face when he saw how excited his pop was. It was great.

[Sisu]

Man, Slicer, that's awesome.

 

Congrats to your son on such a great start to his lifetime of golfing. :golfer:

[stickman]

Congrats to your son, you should ask him if he wants to play in any tourneys , let him play only if he wants to . US kids golf runs some good tourneys for kids his age with very reasonable yardages.

Heres the link

http://www.uskidsgolf.com/

[jportz]

I think I've seen these kids tees before. A local course has some tees set up in the middle of their fairways. On the par 4's they're at the 150 marker and at the 200 marker for the par 5's. Is that pretty standard for kids tees?

 

I have an 18 month old son that I'll take to the putting green with me sometimes. Of course he's not hitting golf shots...he just runs around chasing the balls...he likes to pick them up and drop them in the hole. Sounds like a good caddie to me :golfer:

 

I love to play golf with my dad and look forward to the day that 3 generations of Portz' can be on the links together enjoying the game. So at what age do you start hitting him up to play a nickle nasseau?

[Hrocks]

Slice, it's not bragging, it's just such a gratifying and great feeling that only a father can fully appreciate! My older son had no interest in golf, my little guy (5yrs old) will try any sport, and wants to do well at whatever he's doing. He's had a couple of lessons with a PGA class A pro, who has been teaching pro of the year many times here in Ohio. (and happens to be great with kids.) What a blast to watch the next to immediate progress little kids have because they have no ego, and don't have to un-learn bad habits!

 

He "played" a dozen 9 hole rounds with me last season. (He finally accepted that the Ladies tees were also the "forward" tees!) I would let him hit his USKG driver, then pick up his ball on the way to mine, drop it next to the green where he would chip on, and putt out. As a father, it is so gratifying and so much fun to watch. This season, he has already had one lesson, and will be in a 5 week kids program that culminates in a tournament at a little par 3 course with kids tees. Can't wait. Enjoy them while you can!

[alexthegrrr8]

Fixer:

 

That's great and the notion of kid's tees is even better. The course nearest to me offers a kids clinic and league but the kidlets go from the forward tees. This season my daughter, and son will be joining me on the course for fun and since they do not have kid's tees per se, I'm going to be making them their own scorecard, par etc. Let my lil guy tee it up from say 100 yds or so, depending on the lil righty/lefty's progress. Congrats.

 

Alex

[TML]

Congrats to you and your son Slicefixer.

 

I have no doubt that with your guidance, this kid is going to have a shot at playing golf for a living.