Golf is a wonderful game! According to Golf Monthly, it’s the best sport of all as it teaches manners, respect, is a wonderful thing to do on a sunny day, it’s versatile, is open to all abilities, it’s rewarding, varied and offers a low impact way to get some exercise. It is a game for people of all ages and is great for kids from toddlers up. Here at La Reserva Club, we’re passionate about inspiring people to get into golf at all ages, running golf summer camps and year-round lessons through our Manuel Piñero Academy. So, we asked our team to offer you some advice on getting your children into golf and answer your questions.
The first question we asked our coaching team was “What’s the best age to start playing golf?” Here’s what they had to say.
“Famously, Tiger Woods started playing at the age of two and the sooner you start, the more likely you are to get good and integrate golf into your life. However, don’t push your kids into formal lessons until they are ready. When they start school, around five or six, they will probably have the maturity and the coordination to attend a formal class.
However, there’s lots you can do to get them engaged in golf before then. Start off by bringing them along with you to watch, get a plastic golf set for the garden and let them try a few putting drills with you at home for example. Watching golf with you on the TV, playing golf games on the computer, or trying a simulator are all great ways to get them into it. The key when they are young is to develop a love for the game and not worry too much about the finer details until they feel ready and want to improve.”
The second question we wanted to know the answer to was “How do I teach my kids golf?”
“While you can teach them a little at home and on the driving range, it’s a good idea to have a professional teach them the basics to make sure they don’t pick up any mistakes or bad habits from you. They are also normally better behaved for a pro, than for a parent.
Start with just a few short lessons, designed for beginners, so they can grasp the basics and don’t get overwhelmed. This will help them to understand what golf is all about for themselves and also give them something to work on at home. It is great to combine the basics of golf with another sport, for variety and to keep them engaged, so you can see where their passion lies. With this in mind, this summer we’ve organised a two-hour session on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00-12.00 with one hour of golf and one hour of tennis, designed for beginners to enjoy a taster experience of these fantastic sports. Click here for more information.
If they show an interest and would like to learn more, then you can try an intensive course in the summer holidays for example. This can be a good way to get started and really make it stick, as they can learn a lot quickly and feel proud of their progress. They can also quickly gain the skills they need to join you for a round, which will make them feel great about themselves and give you a lovely activity to do together.
However, intensive courses are definitely not the only option. We run lessons year-round at our Manuel Piñero Academy and you can sign up for a junior pack of 4 hours to give them a grounding in the sport. From there, the pro will advise what’s best for your child, whether that be regular lessons, visiting the driving range or working on some skills at home. You can check out the golf training videos from former professional Belén Mozo on our website and do them together, to get into shape to hit the course and learn some great tips and tricks.”
Last but not least, we wanted to know “What’s the best way for the whole family to enjoy golf and relaxation at La Reserva Club this summer?”
“We’ve got some great options for you here to play golf at La Reserva, and following maintenance works during lockdown our 18-hole course is looking better than ever!
We’re offering a special Summer Golf Pass, which includes ten green fees with a buggy included for 1,600€. They are on sale until the 31st of August and can be used until the end of 2020. The pass offers a significantly reduced green fee price, which is fixed for the rest of the year and can be used throughout the high season. It can be used by one person, or the buyer can invite friends and family members to use it with them.
You can also combine golf with relaxation on our Green and Sea Experience. This includes green fees, plus lunch and sunbeds at our beach club The Beach.
Last but not least, we welcome you to join our golf tournaments. We have tournaments open to non-members.
Our team looks forward to welcoming you to the club.”
