I can remember when I was a young girl my dad taking me golfing. At first I was there just to watch, and of course be quiet. Then I graduated to hitting golf balls in the yard down the hill. Then after I did that for about 3 months I got to play right alongside my dad. Of course not with his friends and him, just him. I loved playing golf, I think it was just the bonding time with dad.

I still play in the summer now and now my daughter is showing an interest in the sport. She is 12. What do you think is the right way to teach her? Just like my dad taught me? or some golf training from the local golf course pro's?

Hi Sporty,

I think it's great how your dad got you started and think something similar could be good as well. I like the option of taking her to get her a few lessons with a local pro and ease her into it slowly. Once she's had a few lessons, go to the range a bit, then some Par 3, then let her go with you.

But just make it fun for her, like do something special afterwards, and keep her having fun.

If your daughter wants to learn how to play (and not just whack balls at the range), lessons from a pro are really the best way to set a good foundation. There are usually group lessons for beginners which are a great way to dip your toe in the water and not spend a huge amount of money. Then spend time at the range with her and get some practice time in together!

That's great to hear your daughter's interest in the game. Like the other posters replies, keep the game fun. If she's serious about the game, then sign her up for some lessons.

I can't wait till my daughter is old enough to hit balls.

I think this goes along with what others are saying.... But keep it fun for her, don't push her. If she just wants to tag along with you and maybe hit a couple shots or putt then that's a "decent" place to start.

However, getting some junior lessons will probably be best for her, and as I'm sure we can all attest, being "taught" something is always received differently from someone other than mom or dad...

And I agree w/ Doc.. My daughter is 5 mo old and I am already trying to buy her clubs!

Thanks everyone... great advice. I will keep it fun for her. It was always fun for me when I was with my dad. I think I will sign her up for some lessons and then go from there.

I could always take her golfing after and have her just play until she was tired. I can't wait to tell her about it.

Again thanks!

Sporty, first time out with your daughter, find an "executive/par 3" course. It will be a good intro to the game. Guy I work with takes his tennage boy to one and it has generated some interest by him to play more. Nothing more frustrating to a newbie than being faced with a 500 yard hole when they are dinking along and it takes 10 strokes just to get to the green!

I remember when I was a young girl and my sister became interested in golf. She's 5 years older than me, and quite honestly, I have no clue why or how she got hooked, but she did. No one in our family at that time golfed. She ended up taking lessons at a local course. She was very serious about it, so my parents bought her a nice set of clubs for Christmas that year. It was all her initiative. My parents simply supported it as long as she was willing to be committed to it.

Sporty, I'd like to recommend you take your daughter to a driving range to learn how to hit the ball fairly decently, Then go over to the putting green and play there for a bit, Then go to the Chipping area and practice chips for awhile. ONCE she have a good idea of what she's doing, take her to a 9 hole Par 3 course to play. Do this at least half a dozen times to teach her how to play in a low pressure environment. Then she will be ready to try a full size or Executive course for her first round of golf. I would NEVER recommend taking ANY new golfer to a full size golf course until they have learned the basics at the range and on a par 3 course.

We have a great indoor facility near me that has all of those things in it Don. I never thought about taking her there to learn. Great suggestion.

I guess I won't let her play with me on the regular golf course, never thought about how frustrated she might get if it takes her 10 times to get to the green.

Our local country club has a driving range she can start on. It's where I will get her lessons.

Sporty, that is so cool, what your dad did with you. He let you grow into the game naturally, and made it a special time for you.

Another playing option: I have heard people say that they take their kids with them to play, and the kids play their tee shot from, say, 150 yd, or some other suitable distance. Once she has some skill, it will be so nice to have her out there with you.

If I had it to do over, I think I would have started with putting, then chips, then pitches, then the bunker, then the full swing. So, if you can teach her to chip, or get her a couple of chipping lessons, and you have a yard that will allow it, I think that's a great short term option. Of course, once she gets started, she's going to show you what is best for her.

Have fun!

I envy you, sporty. I am trying to get mny son to come out and play with me but he contends that it is a sport for the 'old guys'. He doesn't even want to walk past the TV when I'm watching a game.

Golf is one of those games that's hard to grow up doing unless you have a parent who wants you on the course with them all the time. Most toddlers don't make it out on the course if you know what I mean. So sometimes it takes years before kids can really appreciate the game.

True. My way around that is to have a hitting mat and net in the back yard. Thus far it has worked well. My 3yr old son is always wanting to go hit balls in the back yard. He can hit his irons about 30 yards. Not bad for a 3 yr old. I take him and his sister to the driving range once or twice a month for a short trip, 30 mins to an hour, then for ice cream. Always gotta have ice cream after to keep it fun!