Aug
22
The next Tiger Woods at the range in Charleston (if his father has anything to say about it)
I had a chance to hit some balls this morning before work, and I witnessed something very disturbing at the range. From the parking lot, I saw a young father teaching his son- who couldn’t have been more than 5- how to swing a golf club. From a distance it was a great sight: the kid looked happy when he made contact, the dad seemed to be having a great time showing off how far he could hit it, and the kid’s youthful innocence precluded him from realizing that his old man has a terrible golf swing.
But as I got closer and set my bucket about two slots down from them, I was able to overhear the tuteladge. Within the first two minutes, I heard the father give his son all of the following commands: keep your eye on the ball, don’t look at me; don’t swing the club back so far; don’t lean forward; don’t lift your foot (to which the kid responded “Tiger lifts his foot);bend your knees; and finally, you’re not about to go out on the golf course with me until you learn how to practice.
Harvey Penick once said, Golf tips are like aspirin. One may do you good, but if you swallow the whole bottle you will be lucky to survive.” This poor kid had been force-fed enough golf aspirin to put Tony Montana in a coma, and he’s still at an age where he can’t even count to par.
There were several times I had to stop myself from saying something to the father. It still blows my mind that an adult can look at a little kid who clearly isn’t strong enough to control a golf club and say with a straight face, “Don’t take the club back so far.”
On my drive home I was having a bit of an internal conflict about the situation: on one hand, this guy clearly had no idea what he was doing and was going about introducing his son to golf in entirely the wrong way; on the other hand, at least he was spending time with his son, which is more than I can say for a lot of sorry fathers.
In the end, there is a conclusion I can make with absolute certainty. If this family’s future father/son golf outings continue to reflect what I witnessed today, that kid will not be playing golf anymore by the time he gets to high school. Certainly there are several ways to share the game of golf with someone, but if that person is under the age of 6 (with one exception in the history of the world) the only way to share the game is to give him a club and say “go have fun.” Listening to the reform school-style clinic on the range made me want to quit golf, so I can’t imagine how the kid felt.
Tim McDonald recently asked, “Is Tiger Woods bad for golf?”
He absolutely is, if idiotic parents continue to misunderstand the way he was raised.
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14 comments
How do you know, Mr. single man? Perhaps the father will grow up and mature as the son grows up and matures? A great many of the techniques we have used to rear our children might be termed unorthodox.
Regarding your golf pro credentials, read this quote of yours: It still blows my mind that an adult can look at a little kid who clearly isn't strong enough to control a golf club and say with a straight face, "Don't take the club back so far."
If the kid cannot control the club, why wouldn't the Dad encourage half swings? It is a straightforward, simple lesson. Education 101 encourages such things. Sadly, a great many PGA club pros and web bloggers never take education courses, yet style themselves as educators.
Regarding your golf pro credentials, read this quote of yours: It still blows my mind that an adult can look at a little kid who clearly isn't strong enough to control a golf club and say with a straight face, "Don't take the club back so far."
If the kid cannot control the club, why wouldn't the Dad encourage half swings? It is a straightforward, simple lesson. Education 101 encourages such things. Sadly, a great many PGA club pros and web bloggers never take education courses, yet style themselves as educators.
08/22/06 @ 22:44
Comment from: Merrin [Visitor]
That was sad. I hope it was just a scene taken out of context, but there are children all over the country who are pushed too hard & damaged by their parents. Into acting, beauty pageants, sports etc. Ther eis a fine line ebtween encouraging & providing the tutelage necessary & welcomed, and abusing someone.
08/22/06 @ 23:58
How is it sad? I would also let my children know, should they ask, that they need to reach a modicum of talent before playing on the golf course. Nowhere does Spencer mention the dad berating the child, saying negative things about his deportment, dress, hairstyle, choice in friends, etc. His corrections seemed to be straightforward and applicable. You two seem to have overreacted a wee bit.
08/23/06 @ 10:15
Comment from: Mason [Visitor]
I think Ronmon is confused. Any father who would coach a 5 yr. old in such a manner is most likely telling his son that the club must be in a pefectly parallel position at the top. Everyone knows that when the club gets to parallel gravity takes over and a 5 yr. old is not strong enough to control the clubhead. If his father does'nt back off, this kid will be the one playing right field for the minimum one inning required in little league, all the while dreaming of dancing in the ballet.
08/23/06 @ 10:23
I have a 4-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter. I would love it if they were to take an interest in golf... or another sport, or music, or science, or anything that they might pursue with persistance and determination. As a parent, the best thing I can do is expose them different things and encourage their growth in whatever it is they choose.
The key is to discover what ignites a passion in them. If you can do that as a parent, and not be dissapointed that it wasn't golf... or another sport, or music, or science, you are doing a good job. Once a child takes a genuine interest, then a parent should provide additional guidance.
Sure, I got my kids clubs. I take them to the range. I take them to the local par three course. Sometimes they loose interest after the first hole (and that's okay). For now, I provide little to no coaching. Kids are smart. They see me hit the ball, they watch some golf with me on the weekends. It's all monkey-see-monkey-do. All I have to do is say, "Great shot", "Good job", "Nice one", etc... The rest will take care of itself.
Kids can follow examples. Parents need only provide good examples.
-Greg
The key is to discover what ignites a passion in them. If you can do that as a parent, and not be dissapointed that it wasn't golf... or another sport, or music, or science, you are doing a good job. Once a child takes a genuine interest, then a parent should provide additional guidance.
Sure, I got my kids clubs. I take them to the range. I take them to the local par three course. Sometimes they loose interest after the first hole (and that's okay). For now, I provide little to no coaching. Kids are smart. They see me hit the ball, they watch some golf with me on the weekends. It's all monkey-see-monkey-do. All I have to do is say, "Great shot", "Good job", "Nice one", etc... The rest will take care of itself.
Kids can follow examples. Parents need only provide good examples.
-Greg
08/23/06 @ 10:54
Comment from: gpro [Visitor]
Ronmon
As a PGA professional I would be willing to bet that there are far more PGA pros that know more about your education 101 than you do. To say a great many of them never take education courses shows your ignorance of the qualifications of becoming a PGA pro. We spend hours in the classroom and weeks on the ranges and courses to find different ways to get the point across to our pupils. Not everyone learns the same way and it is an incredible challenge to find 50 different ways to explain rhythm, timing, balance,spine angle, posture and the myriad of other topics that need to be addressed. As for that father's new technique, he did not make a single positive comment to his son, that is not unorthodox, it is stupid. I have a 9 year old boy and a 5 year old girl who both go to the range and golf course with me. And like Greg, if they play a hole it is great, sooner or later the frogs and sand traps are going to be more fun because that is what it is all about, a family being together and having fun.
As a PGA professional I would be willing to bet that there are far more PGA pros that know more about your education 101 than you do. To say a great many of them never take education courses shows your ignorance of the qualifications of becoming a PGA pro. We spend hours in the classroom and weeks on the ranges and courses to find different ways to get the point across to our pupils. Not everyone learns the same way and it is an incredible challenge to find 50 different ways to explain rhythm, timing, balance,spine angle, posture and the myriad of other topics that need to be addressed. As for that father's new technique, he did not make a single positive comment to his son, that is not unorthodox, it is stupid. I have a 9 year old boy and a 5 year old girl who both go to the range and golf course with me. And like Greg, if they play a hole it is great, sooner or later the frogs and sand traps are going to be more fun because that is what it is all about, a family being together and having fun.
08/23/06 @ 14:11
Comment from: Spencer Hux [Visitor]
Ron-
Your new name is "Ron Mon- official devil's advocate of Travelgolf." I shall now refer to you only by this title.
Half swings? Are you serious? The club was almost the kid's size. I think you and I would both agree that it takes some amount of muscle control to repeat a golf swing. How does one accomplish this when one has no muscles with which to swing the club? I'm not a pro, nor do I claim to be, but I know when a person is holding something that he or she cannot support, and that was the case here. The club was swinging the kid, not the other way around.
My main problem with it, as gpro pointed out, is that there was never a positive comment in the exchange. I played enough sports growing up to see what happens to kids whose parents are constantly shoving a sport down their throats- they never meet their parents' expectations, and usually end up quitting the sport altogether.
A kid this young doesn't have the mental capacity to understand all these commands, put them into action, or most importantly, retain anything that his dad was saying. I taught 100 16 year olds who couldn't any of these lessons for more than five minutes.
Your new name is "Ron Mon- official devil's advocate of Travelgolf." I shall now refer to you only by this title.
Half swings? Are you serious? The club was almost the kid's size. I think you and I would both agree that it takes some amount of muscle control to repeat a golf swing. How does one accomplish this when one has no muscles with which to swing the club? I'm not a pro, nor do I claim to be, but I know when a person is holding something that he or she cannot support, and that was the case here. The club was swinging the kid, not the other way around.
My main problem with it, as gpro pointed out, is that there was never a positive comment in the exchange. I played enough sports growing up to see what happens to kids whose parents are constantly shoving a sport down their throats- they never meet their parents' expectations, and usually end up quitting the sport altogether.
A kid this young doesn't have the mental capacity to understand all these commands, put them into action, or most importantly, retain anything that his dad was saying. I taught 100 16 year olds who couldn't any of these lessons for more than five minutes.
08/23/06 @ 15:48
Answers to all my fans---
Spenser,
16-year old brains are nowhere near the sponges that five-year old brains are. Therefore, it is more likely that the 5 year old can grasp multiple instruction bites than can the 16 year old. On what do you base your statement "A kid this young doesn't have the mental capacity to understand all these commands, put them into action, or most importantly, retain anything that his dad was saying." Research? First-hand? Had you said that you taught 100 five-year olds, I would be more inclined to switch to your side.
Did the father yell? Badger? Insult? I saw no evidence of these in your post, which is why I "advocated for baelzebub," as you claim.
GPro,
Actually, you are wrong, but I baited you into that one. I have quite a number of education courses under my belt, on my transcript, etc. You don't know if the dad made any positive comments, as Spenser did not report the whole story. No one ever does. I applaud you for taking your kids to the course.
Spenser,
16-year old brains are nowhere near the sponges that five-year old brains are. Therefore, it is more likely that the 5 year old can grasp multiple instruction bites than can the 16 year old. On what do you base your statement "A kid this young doesn't have the mental capacity to understand all these commands, put them into action, or most importantly, retain anything that his dad was saying." Research? First-hand? Had you said that you taught 100 five-year olds, I would be more inclined to switch to your side.
Did the father yell? Badger? Insult? I saw no evidence of these in your post, which is why I "advocated for baelzebub," as you claim.
GPro,
Actually, you are wrong, but I baited you into that one. I have quite a number of education courses under my belt, on my transcript, etc. You don't know if the dad made any positive comments, as Spenser did not report the whole story. No one ever does. I applaud you for taking your kids to the course.
08/23/06 @ 17:15
Comment from: gpro [Visitor]
Ronmon
The real issue is not your education courses but the comment "a great number of PGA club pros...never take classes." My point was that you obviously don't have any idea what it takes to become a PGA professional because classwork is involved. Teaching golf is not like teaching a class in school. You have to be able to determine how that person learns, whether verbally, by sight, by feel, by action or maybe by watching. Like Greg said, his kids watch and do, which is the way most kids learn. Even Tiger learned that way, he started out swinging left handed because he was watching his father, like a mirror image, who then turned him around to the other side.
The real issue is not your education courses but the comment "a great number of PGA club pros...never take classes." My point was that you obviously don't have any idea what it takes to become a PGA professional because classwork is involved. Teaching golf is not like teaching a class in school. You have to be able to determine how that person learns, whether verbally, by sight, by feel, by action or maybe by watching. Like Greg said, his kids watch and do, which is the way most kids learn. Even Tiger learned that way, he started out swinging left handed because he was watching his father, like a mirror image, who then turned him around to the other side.
08/23/06 @ 18:20
Comment from: Spencer Hux [Visitor]
Official devil's advocate of Travel golf-
"Yell is a strong" word for what the father was doing. Criticizing while occasionally raising his voice is a better way to describe the situation. I'd be willing to say that the vast majority of people who witnessed the situation would have felt the father was going overboard- it wasn't just a case of my opinion getting in the way of my objectivity.
I base the statement in question on my experience in working with young kids (which is somewhat limited), and also on the research I studied in some of my educational classes in college. I vaguely remembered one, so I looked it up. It's Piaget's theory on intellectual development. The stage he described from ages 4-7 is pretty well summed up by this: "The child has an intuitive grasp of logical concepts in some areas. However, there is still a tendency to focus attention on one aspect of an object while ignoring others. Concepts formed are crude and irreversible."
I know this is cognitive development, but I think it applies. Kids can retain certain parts of instruction, but can not be expected to even understand a full conversation. Personally, I like for people to explain the logic behind a swing rather than just saying, for example, "keep your elbow closer to your body." A five-year-old getting slammed with 6 consectuive swing thoughts doesn't stand a chance.
I apologize for bringing up Piaget. I don't know what got into me. Someone, please bring golf back to this discussion.
And Mason- if the kid does ever get in the field, other parents will most likely be yelling, "He has no business being out there! No Business!"
"Yell is a strong" word for what the father was doing. Criticizing while occasionally raising his voice is a better way to describe the situation. I'd be willing to say that the vast majority of people who witnessed the situation would have felt the father was going overboard- it wasn't just a case of my opinion getting in the way of my objectivity.
I base the statement in question on my experience in working with young kids (which is somewhat limited), and also on the research I studied in some of my educational classes in college. I vaguely remembered one, so I looked it up. It's Piaget's theory on intellectual development. The stage he described from ages 4-7 is pretty well summed up by this: "The child has an intuitive grasp of logical concepts in some areas. However, there is still a tendency to focus attention on one aspect of an object while ignoring others. Concepts formed are crude and irreversible."
I know this is cognitive development, but I think it applies. Kids can retain certain parts of instruction, but can not be expected to even understand a full conversation. Personally, I like for people to explain the logic behind a swing rather than just saying, for example, "keep your elbow closer to your body." A five-year-old getting slammed with 6 consectuive swing thoughts doesn't stand a chance.
I apologize for bringing up Piaget. I don't know what got into me. Someone, please bring golf back to this discussion.
And Mason- if the kid does ever get in the field, other parents will most likely be yelling, "He has no business being out there! No Business!"
08/23/06 @ 19:44
Comment from: Ghet Rheel [Visitor]
I'd rather see a father go "overboard" than "underboard" (i.e. put the kid in aroom with an X-box and walk away). The dad may have been doing a poor job of teaching, but dads learn too. Dad may decide to mellow a bit, or give the task to a PGA pro. I have had experience in trying to teach my daughter to ski, finally figured out that experienced ski instructors earn their keep - and then some.
08/23/06 @ 21:35
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
I doubt Jean Piaget ever set foot on a driving range. Maslow? Erikson?
08/23/06 @ 22:23
Comment from: Spencer Hux [Visitor]
Booger-
I'd have to agree. Maslow probably wasn't a huge fan of the game either, as golf appers nowhere on his "hierarchy of needs."
I'd have to agree. Maslow probably wasn't a huge fan of the game either, as golf appers nowhere on his "hierarchy of needs."
08/24/06 @ 07:28
Comment from: cc rider [Visitor]
The responses to this blog have been unbelievable. In a nutshell, Spencer's subject matter is a father whom he saw acting like an A-hole talking down to his 5 year old on the driving range. People with and without kids act like knuckleheads all the time. It is not limited to just on the driving range or the golf course.
But no, Ron Mon has to save the day and stick up for the guy and at the same time throw out blanket statements about club pros and web bloggers. Within any large group a certain percentage are going to fit your description- golf pros , writers, and parents included.
All of us here share a great passion for this game. I hope everyones first experience or contact with the game would be a nice a my own and hate to read stories like this one.
But no, Ron Mon has to save the day and stick up for the guy and at the same time throw out blanket statements about club pros and web bloggers. Within any large group a certain percentage are going to fit your description- golf pros , writers, and parents included.
All of us here share a great passion for this game. I hope everyones first experience or contact with the game would be a nice a my own and hate to read stories like this one.
08/24/06 @ 22:15
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