Little TGMers
 

Let's discuss some ways of conveying some of the TGM principles to junior golfers. I'm talking about 6,7,8,9 years old or so... with short attention spans, and if it is not FUN, they will quickly loose interest.

Some say just give the child a club and let him have fun, with little or no instruction on technique. On the other hand, if they can develop some of those pathways early... with good habits.

What do you think? What are some things that have worked for you?

Lasers, gadgets etc
 

My juniors love playing with the laser pens. I have competitions to see who can trace the straightest plane line with the laser whilst fanning the right forearm. All of the time they are educating their hands without realising it. Just make sure you get the ones that are safe on the eyes!

Of course they all love whacking the hell out of the impact bag. Let them hold impact and comment on each others alignments. All of my kids can spot a flipper a mile away.

One thing you dont need to teach kids is lag. They have it naturally especially if the clubs are on the heavy side.

I have found the best way to keep kids interest when hitting balls is to give them something to aim at thats a bit different. Greens, flags etc are boring. Notice how they suddenly want to be accurate and hit balls when the ball collector comes onto the range? Put a piece of glass out there as in the big break and they will stay there all night trying to break it (this is just as effective with adults!).

Taking divots is also an attraction for kids (if you have a grass practise tee) as it seems to be a bit naughty to rip up the grass.

Key is to make sure they have fun so they come back.

Im always looking for new ideas for them so this will be an interesting thread.

I have used these on the range with my sons and their friends .
Pick a target green say 100 yds away. Have them try to land the ball on the green with several different clubs (driver, 5I, PW).

Pick out a golf ball say 10-15 yds away and first one to hit the target ball using their sand wedge wins.

I love the glass idea, that is really good. Johnny Miller said he would take his kids out to hit golf balls into a lake and before they were bored he'd gather them up and say it's time to play stupid basketball, let's go.

If the kids can generate enough club head speed maybe you could take them out to a lake and have them try to skip balls across the water with acquired motion or something.

When there are turkeys at the range 150-180 out I have a tough time leaving. GOBBLES!!!!

Big or little, turn around in the middle of turning to the back.