All Your 5-8 Year Old Needs In Their Golf Bag – Four Clubs
I have had a number of parents ask me how to get their 5-8 year old juniors started with golf. And, what do they really need in their golf bags? Remember, at this age we should be introducing golf concepts. In the early phases of junior golf programs, we recommend most of the time and energy should be spent on developing physical literacy. Physical literacy is the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS) and fundamental sport skills (FSS) which will allow a child to move confidently and efficiently in a wide range of physical activities.
It will take FUNdamental phase juniors time to develop golf skill to play on the course. Until skill is developed, we teach our juniors the basic principals without using golf clubs. Factors such as length, accuracy, distance control, going over, under and around obstacles, green reading and strategy can be incorporated.
When to introduce golf clubs? This will depend on the structure of the junior program and where emphasis is placed. All most FUNdamental juniors will really need in their bag to get started- Four Clubs.
Driver: Lightweight kids hybrid, preferably with 25 degree loft or more.
Irons: Lightweight 6 or 7 iron, lightweight pitching or sand wedge with plenty of loft.
Putter: Lightweight.
All clubs should be tailored for length and no cut downs. Cute little bags are optional. I would recommend checking out US Kids Clubs and SNAG Clubs.
“It’s a 10,000 hour voyage so don’t hurry into specialization” – Dr. Ernst Zwick
