Youth sports programs and leagues are not just built to develop children's athletic skills within a specific sport and hone their competitive fire. The best programs push children to think beyond themselves and prepare them for the future. For so many, golf is a microcosm for the rest of life. We have to be accountable to ourselves, keep our own score, and manage the bad breaks.
In a recent Plain English Podcast about the dropping participation in youth sports, host Derek Thompson pointed out that while many sports are losing junior participants, golf is one of the only sports that is growing among youth participants
The recent boom in golf across numerous demographics has been tied to the pandemic. The social aspect of the sport helped people meet up with friends in a safe, outdoor environment while also providing exercise and fresh air.
One of golf's biggest hang-ups for beginners is the cost. However, there are many ways to get into the sport at a reasonable price, and for juniors, there are programs across the country that offer instruction, mentorship, and discounts. These youth programs have been vital in helping kids fall in love with the game and learn larger life skills that they can employ off of the course.
So, as school ends and summer approaches, golf is ripe for the picking. Here are some avenues for getting your child into golf.