By Aliza Zulfiqar – Golf Coach
Sport in general is a healthy activity for people of all ages. Playing any sport keeps you active and boosts your stamina. There are various sports like cricket, football, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, and many more. However, one particular sport that many adults like to play is golf. Golf is a good game that one would enjoy as much today as in their retirement days. However, men are more likely to enjoy this game, and some take it quite seriously. Golf players are aware of the equipment they need in their gear, in order to play their best. This gear can include some clubs, golf balls, cotton towels, a golf bag, etc. Golf can also be an excellent sport for parents to bond with their children. Especially fathers who tend to like spending time with their children when they play golf. However, when it comes to teaching children golf, most people don’t know where to start. One place to start is with the gear you want your kids to use.
Here are a few things to add to your kid’s golf gear list before they begin the learning process:
- Golf Balls: Of course, the first thing is the ball. You need to have a good amount of golf balls when you are going to teach someone how to play. The learning process will take a while, and you will need to have a lot of balls. But you don’t have to choose some fancy balls with cartoon characters on them. You can buy a whole bag of balls that come at some discount or play with balls you may find on the golf course.
- The clubs: The second essential thing you need for golf is the club. You will need beginner clubs that are for children. The most important thing is to make sure you choose the right size and weight of the club for your child. Golf clubs can be considerably heavy and enormous, so if you don’t get the right size for the kid, it will be difficult for them to handle it. You can choose a club that is easy to carry and has a light weighted bag. Another thing you have to ensure is the length of the club. It can’t be too long, or your child won’t be able to control it.
- Golf shoes for your junior golfer: As you have to play golf on grass, there is a high chance of slipping on it. Typical running shoes may suit you, but they will not provide stability and friction that will be needed to avoid the risk of falling. For this you will need golf shoes. You can choose those shoes that your kid prefers. They may be soft spiked or hybrid. The main concern is to get shoes that are soft, flexible, and breathable. These shoes should add friction with the ground, and they can be water-resistant to avoid getting your socks wet.
- Golf Club Cleaner: If you don’t clean your clubs regularly, dirt will get stuck on its surface (in your grooves) and make it difficult to hit the right shot. You can get a cleaner for your club that will spray, scrub and clean the dirt and mud away. The cleaner you get should be lightweight and easy to carry so you can attach it to your golf bag. You can use this cleaner to keep your club clean and shiny. You can take it out any time and cleanse your club, then get back to playing.
- Bucket Hats: Golf is a sport you play in bright daylight, so it is necessary to shield your skin and eyes from the sun. Wearing caps can help you to cover the parts of the head that sunblock can’t protect, like your neck’s back or the back of your ears. Although ordinary baseball caps can help, they don’t provide complete coverage. However, bucket hats can easily cover the necessary and forgotten parts of the head. Choose the hats that give enough shade to cover the entire head, and have small holes for ventilation.
- Golf Belt: A golf belt is beneficial to keep your shirt tucked in, and some also come with a feature of a hidden ball marker attached. You can choose belts that have the ball marker feature and are long-lasting as well. Kids grow fast, so you can use these belts longer by cutting them up.
Conclusion
These were some of the essential gears you need for your kid. You can teach your child the basics of golf and use the right equipment by following this list. Hope you enjoyed reading my article from the perspective of a junior golf coach.
