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What age were you introduced to Golf? What age did you introduce your kids to Golf?
Posted on 4/21/26 at 2:10 pm
Posted on 4/21/26 at 2:10 pm
I played my first round of golf at 30 years old, and it's the only real regret I have in my life. We couldn't afford a country club membership or anything when I was a kid, and my dad and brother didn't play, but if I could do it all over again knowing what I know now, I would have begged to play as a kid, and my Dad would have figured out a way to make it happen
I'm having my first son next month, Lord willing, and I want to get him into the game eventually. The thought process there is two fold. It's something we can do together, and maybe it will keep him out of travel baseball- which is something I hope to avoid like the plague. At the end of the day his mom and I will let him play what he wants and support it, but I'd really like to steer him towards golf.
Everybody I know today in their 30's and 40's that plays that started when they were young is at minimum a good recreational golfer, and most of them are really good.
I'm having my first son next month, Lord willing, and I want to get him into the game eventually. The thought process there is two fold. It's something we can do together, and maybe it will keep him out of travel baseball- which is something I hope to avoid like the plague. At the end of the day his mom and I will let him play what he wants and support it, but I'd really like to steer him towards golf.
Everybody I know today in their 30's and 40's that plays that started when they were young is at minimum a good recreational golfer, and most of them are really good.
This post was edited on 4/21/26 at 2:11 pm
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Posted on 4/21/26 at 2:18 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
I started riding in the golf cart with my dad when I was 3 years old and probably started hitting balls with him when I was 5 or 6. I would play in the father sons events at the country club I grew up at. However, I mainly focused on team sports as a kid. I didn't really start become a golf sicko until I got out of college. That is my biggest regret. There is really nothing my dad or me could've done different, but I just wish I got the itch at a younger age so that I would have some more ability built up at a young age.
I have a 4 year old son now. When I first found out that I was having a boy, my first thought was that I will make him golf obsessed. While he is still very young, and there is a ton of time, he has not shown any interest in playing at all. I take him with me to play 9 every now and then, and I took him with my dad while we played 18 yesterday. He really just likes riding in the cart and playing with his toys. He doesn't even care to get out of the cart most of the time.
So, I just think I need to be patient. If it comes, it comes. However, I do like that he wants to come with me. I will pass along some advice I heard from Padraig Harrington.
- Take him somewhere where you are comfortable. If that is your home club, great. For me, being a member somewhere in Houston doesn't make sense right now. So, I try to take him to bad courses so that I don't get anxious about what he is doing while we are out there. I have a problem of being very self-conscious of the groups around me to where I think it impacts my enjoyment. I think that would come out if I took him somewhere other than a goat-track.
- It's better to end too early than too late. You don't want the kid to be wanting to leave
- Always end the day with a treat. That is what they will remember when they are older.
I have a 4 year old son now. When I first found out that I was having a boy, my first thought was that I will make him golf obsessed. While he is still very young, and there is a ton of time, he has not shown any interest in playing at all. I take him with me to play 9 every now and then, and I took him with my dad while we played 18 yesterday. He really just likes riding in the cart and playing with his toys. He doesn't even care to get out of the cart most of the time.
So, I just think I need to be patient. If it comes, it comes. However, I do like that he wants to come with me. I will pass along some advice I heard from Padraig Harrington.
- Take him somewhere where you are comfortable. If that is your home club, great. For me, being a member somewhere in Houston doesn't make sense right now. So, I try to take him to bad courses so that I don't get anxious about what he is doing while we are out there. I have a problem of being very self-conscious of the groups around me to where I think it impacts my enjoyment. I think that would come out if I took him somewhere other than a goat-track.
- It's better to end too early than too late. You don't want the kid to be wanting to leave
- Always end the day with a treat. That is what they will remember when they are older.
This post was edited on 4/21/26 at 2:22 pm
Posted on 4/21/26 at 2:36 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
I didnt really start playing until about 21 years old. I had played only a hand full of times before that. I have a son that just turned 3 a few weeks ago. I've already taken him out on the course twice. I just drop a ball on the ground for him every time I take a shot and when we get near the green I give him the putter so he can putt around. I have mom tag along with us too to help keep him engaged. He made it all 18 holes each time. We played early sunday morning so no one out on the course and we finish in about 3 hours max. I make sure he has a surplus of snacks and water too. He has been hitting plastic golf balls in the backyard since he could walk. Its all he ever wants to do out in the yard until the sun goes down.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 2:38 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
I grew up in Donaldsonville and back then, we had Riverdale Country Club there. I grew up swimming in the pool because we were too poor to have a pool of our own. While swimming, my dad would play golf, then as I got a little older I started riding along with him and eventually started playing too. I guess I started playing at age 8 or 9 but I would hit the ball and/or putt with my dad long before then.
I played a LOT in my teen years and actually got pretty damn good, but then I quit in college and only recently got back into it this past January. It was so obvious that I took off about 15-20 years when I started back again but yesterday I birdied for the 2nd time in 20 years, so I'm starting to get the feel for it again. The hole before that, I triple bogied
.
My son is 11 now and he started playing with me when I got back into it a few months ago, and I dare say the game of golf is his first love lol. He can't get enough of it.
Golf is amazing, peaceful, stressful, and a money pit, but it's the best thing you'll ever get hooked on.
PS - does anyone here remember Riverdale in Donaldsonville? It was such a shame when it burned down. It just wasn't the same after that! They blamed it on an electrical problem but part of me always wondered if it was intentionally set on fire because it seemed like they sure did try to run it into the ground after that!
I played a LOT in my teen years and actually got pretty damn good, but then I quit in college and only recently got back into it this past January. It was so obvious that I took off about 15-20 years when I started back again but yesterday I birdied for the 2nd time in 20 years, so I'm starting to get the feel for it again. The hole before that, I triple bogied
. My son is 11 now and he started playing with me when I got back into it a few months ago, and I dare say the game of golf is his first love lol. He can't get enough of it.
Golf is amazing, peaceful, stressful, and a money pit, but it's the best thing you'll ever get hooked on.
PS - does anyone here remember Riverdale in Donaldsonville? It was such a shame when it burned down. It just wasn't the same after that! They blamed it on an electrical problem but part of me always wondered if it was intentionally set on fire because it seemed like they sure did try to run it into the ground after that!
This post was edited on 4/21/26 at 2:40 pm
Posted on 4/21/26 at 3:22 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
I got introduced around 7-8 and got a junior set of clubs around then. Got a full set of hand me down clubs from my grandfather when I was in 7th grade, parents joined a club around the same time.
My kids (2 and 4) aren’t really to the age to get them into golf yet although I did give my oldest a Fischer price plastic toy set for Christmas
My kids (2 and 4) aren’t really to the age to get them into golf yet although I did give my oldest a Fischer price plastic toy set for Christmas
Posted on 4/21/26 at 4:02 pm to lsufball19
quote:
I got introduced around 7-8 and got a junior set of clubs around then. Got a full set of hand me down clubs from my grandfather when I was in 7th grade, parents joined a club around the same time.
Curious what your handicap is now, or what's the best it ever was
Posted on 4/21/26 at 4:08 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
As a little kid, but never had formal lessons. Never had great equipment, just whatever we found or cheap.
Good enough to play in high school, but never really had an understanding of the “golf swing.”
My kids never liked it. They had some lessons, but just did not enjoy it at all.
I wish they liked it.
Good enough to play in high school, but never really had an understanding of the “golf swing.”
My kids never liked it. They had some lessons, but just did not enjoy it at all.
I wish they liked it.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 4:29 pm to makersmark1
I'm in my 40's. I started playing for the first time July 2024.
Prior to that, I had gone to the driving range maybe twice in my life just because a buddy was going and played a single 9-hole round, again with a buddy in college who was looking for something to do.
I had wanted to get in for a good many years, but never had the time or really the money to do so when my kids were a bit younger. During those years, I was a bit of a 'hobby jumper,' but nothing stuck until golf. I remember flushing a single shot with a 7 iron during the first official round I played - I was completely hooked. Immediately bought a cheap set on FB marketplace and started going to the range at least once or twice a week just trying to find a swing. I am completely, 100% all in. I'm at a real enjoyable place now - pretty rare to shoot over 100, but haven't broken 90 yet. I know I'm going to get better, but not good enough yet to get too pissed about a bad shot - I just see it as a challenge to recover.
I've been taking my teenage son along every time he's willing to go, and the bug is starting to get him too. Looking forward to hopefully many more years of getting to play with him wherever he ends up in life.
Prior to that, I had gone to the driving range maybe twice in my life just because a buddy was going and played a single 9-hole round, again with a buddy in college who was looking for something to do.
I had wanted to get in for a good many years, but never had the time or really the money to do so when my kids were a bit younger. During those years, I was a bit of a 'hobby jumper,' but nothing stuck until golf. I remember flushing a single shot with a 7 iron during the first official round I played - I was completely hooked. Immediately bought a cheap set on FB marketplace and started going to the range at least once or twice a week just trying to find a swing. I am completely, 100% all in. I'm at a real enjoyable place now - pretty rare to shoot over 100, but haven't broken 90 yet. I know I'm going to get better, but not good enough yet to get too pissed about a bad shot - I just see it as a challenge to recover.
I've been taking my teenage son along every time he's willing to go, and the bug is starting to get him too. Looking forward to hopefully many more years of getting to play with him wherever he ends up in life.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 4:33 pm to AUjim
quote:
I remember flushing a single shot with a 7 iron during the first official round I played - I was completely hooked. Immediately bought a cheap set on FB marketplace and started going to the range at least once or twice a week just trying to find a swing. I am completely, 100% all in. I'm at a real enjoyable place now - pretty rare to shoot over 100, but haven't broken 90 yet. I know I'm going to get better, but not good enough yet to get too pissed about a bad shot - I just see it as a challenge to recover.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 4:36 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
Curious what your handicap is now, or what's the best it ever was
Best it ever was around a 4 when I was 25-26. I’m 41 now, prob in the 14-15 range. Wife, job, young kids, don’t have time play more than 5-6 times a year now. Game is real weird. I can, at times, still go out and flirt with breaking 80, or I can go out and shoot a 95. I'll have rounds where I shoot 50+ on the front and break 40 on the back or vice versa. I still have the muscle memory to swing the club like I did when I played 4 times a week, but I've lost all feel and consistency. I've also lost a lot of flexibility as I've gotten older which has definitely affected how far I can hit the ball.
This post was edited on 4/22/26 at 11:54 am
Posted on 4/21/26 at 5:04 pm to AUjim
quote:
'hobby jumper,'
Golf is best thought of as an addiction.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 5:17 pm to makersmark1
quote:Ditto. We were a small school and didn’t have golf or tennis teams, so hacking around in the pasture was pretty much the extent of my game until I could drive myself.
As a little kid, but never had formal lessons. Never had great equipment, just whatever we found or cheap. Good enough to play in high school, but never really had an understanding of the “golf swing.” My kids never liked it. They had some lessons, but just did not enjoy it at all. I wish they liked it.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 6:29 pm to llfshoals
I am 65 years old now and been playing for five years now.
Big regret that I have now is that my Dad was a scratch golfer in the early 70’s and always wanted me to go out and play with him but I was too busy playing other sports in the neighborhood and such. Man I wish I had those days back. RIP Dad!!
Big regret that I have now is that my Dad was a scratch golfer in the early 70’s and always wanted me to go out and play with him but I was too busy playing other sports in the neighborhood and such. Man I wish I had those days back. RIP Dad!!
Posted on 4/21/26 at 6:33 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
24 or 25. Same deal. Never were members of the country club. Dad just wasn’t into golf. We were a football and baseball (not travel ball) family.
I agree that it sucks comparing my game to people my age (39) that have been playing all their lives.
At least I do have a little bit of natural ability that I’ve been a low 80’s player at times, but when I take time off, I don’t have the muscle memory from playing as a kid to pick it right back up and I just don’t have the time to practice much at all. I’d rather go shoot 88-92 than doing what I should do and go pound hit 75-100 balls and chip and putt for an hour.
ETA: I have a 4 year old girl and we like doing family day where she putts and runs around, but she’s a lot more interested in her tennis lessons. I hope she grows into it though.
I agree that it sucks comparing my game to people my age (39) that have been playing all their lives.
At least I do have a little bit of natural ability that I’ve been a low 80’s player at times, but when I take time off, I don’t have the muscle memory from playing as a kid to pick it right back up and I just don’t have the time to practice much at all. I’d rather go shoot 88-92 than doing what I should do and go pound hit 75-100 balls and chip and putt for an hour.
ETA: I have a 4 year old girl and we like doing family day where she putts and runs around, but she’s a lot more interested in her tennis lessons. I hope she grows into it though.
This post was edited on 4/21/26 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 4/21/26 at 8:04 pm to SouthlakeTiger
Mine took me once. He really didn’t care for the game, or any game really.
He spent his time working. Can’t remember a single game or tournament past little league he ever went to.
He spent his time working. Can’t remember a single game or tournament past little league he ever went to.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 8:56 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
I was 8 and my dad took me to the USF&G Classic at Lakewood in 1986. We followed Joey Sindelar's group and he gave me a golf ball. I was hooked.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 9:07 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
Started playing around 11
Played in high school
Got down to maybe a 6 handicap. Now sitting around a 12, dont play enough.
Played in high school
Got down to maybe a 6 handicap. Now sitting around a 12, dont play enough.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 9:29 pm to TDsngumbo
I have fond memories of Riverdale!! I still think about the great times I had out there when I went during the summer to visit my grandfather and also to play the Cajun Classic golf tournament each year. It was a blast! A large part of the community came out to be part of it. It was a sad day for me when Riverdale closed down.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 9:42 pm to DreP
Riverdale was awesome and is 95% of my childhood! I miss it so much and I always have dreams about that place.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 1:41 am to Riseupfromtherubble
Got into it at 14. Played Webb once or twice a few years prior.
Ironically, much like Rory watching Tiger dominate the ‘97 Masters fueled his love for the game, watching Rory dominate the ‘11 U.S. Open was the fuel for me.
I “grew up” playing at The Oaks after it went public. Miss that place.
Ironically, much like Rory watching Tiger dominate the ‘97 Masters fueled his love for the game, watching Rory dominate the ‘11 U.S. Open was the fuel for me.
I “grew up” playing at The Oaks after it went public. Miss that place.
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