When Is a Good Age to Start Golf?

March 8, 2016

Golf is one of those sports that can be played well past an athlete’s high school, college and “working” days. It’s a great way to get outdoors, be with friends and challenge yourself.

But then the question is: When is a good age to start golf? In our opinion, if you’re young or “young at heart,” if you can pick up a club and swing, if you have an interest in the game, it’s a good time to start. We’ve seen young athletes start at 5 or 6 and move on to play in high school and college. We’ve also seen players take up the sport as freshmen and find success. Of course, there are adults who tell us they want the game to be more.

So, it really depends on whether or not there is an interest in the sport. Children often take up lots of different sports. Remember playing pee-wee soccer or T-ball? How about flipping around on gymnastics mats? What about being part of a summer basketball or volleyball program? In all likelihood, you know someone who has done all of those (maybe yourself). That’s what childhood is all about: self discovery.

That can continue into the adult years. We welcome new players to join us for a clinic or two or a private lesson, just to get a feel for the game. We want to encourage you to get onto the course when you are comfortable with the timing of the game and test out your skills (or just enjoy the view).

At some point, a mature child or young teen may decide to focus on one sport – and that’s OK, too. Remember, if he or she enjoys the game, that is reason enough to get on the green.

LPGA star Annika Sorenstam recently wrote in a “Letter to my daughter,” that her parents encouraged her to play all kinds of sports growing up and that she didn’t take golf seriously until her mid teens. “Golf will always be there if you want it,” she wrote. “Just be ready for whatever you want to do.”