Written By Golf Town Ambassador Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk

As a parent I have one job.  My job is to raise a wonderful person that is kind, respectful, honest and if all goes well, hard working.  Golf teaches all those values and more.

Honesty

Golf is a sport that you are to be your own referee.  You are to call penalties on yourself.  You learn the rules, and you follow them.  You do not try to cheat or get away with something.

Hard Work

There are no short cuts in golf.  You do not rely on luck or chance.  It is not like riding a bicycle.  You must practice and put the work in to become proficient.   Arnold Palmer stated, “The more I practice the luckier I get”.

Respect

Golf is about respecting the rules, your playing partners and the course.  You learn the etiquette of the game such as remaining silent when someone is hitting, ensuring you do not step in your playing partner’s line, to not move around when someone is hitting, waiting your turn and playing in order, fixing your ball mark and at least one other. You learn that at the end of the game, regardless of how intense the battle, you shake hands and always show good sportsmanship.

These are all valuable life lessons that lead to success on and off the course.  These are lessons I want my son to know.  That is one of the main reasons I introduced him to the game.

Family Golf

Golf is also an incredible family sport. Phones, devices and tablets are put away for the round.  It is an opportunity to be active outdoors, in fresh air with the people you love most in life.  As you walk down the fairways or walk up to the green, you are sharing stories, talking, chatting and laughing.  You are making memories, and most importantly you are connecting.

During the pandemic, many families have had extra time together with the cancelation of school and extra curricular activities.  As many families search for new and fun activities to engage in together outdoors this spring and summer, golf is the perfect choice.  It is a fun game that can be played while you enjoy fresh air, sunshine and active living.

If you are interested in introducing your daughter and/or son to the game, here are some ideas to help them have a successful start:

Take lessons With a Pro

Take lessons with PGA of Canada Professionals.  You want your child to have the best start possible and learn proper swing technique from the get-go.  Golf lessons are one of the only coached sports that are currently allowed during Covid restrictions.  It is the perfect time to learn.

Get Equipment that Fits

The worst thing you can do for your junior golfer is cut down adult clubs to fit their size.  It makes the clubs extraordinary stiff and they are heavy, thus difficult to hit. Junior Golf clubs are very reasonably priced. Golf Town Master Club Fitters are trained to professionally fit and help pick out a Junior set of clubs that will benefit your child’s development.  You can get everything from 3-piece starter sets with a bag to a set that is designed for teenagers.

Look the Part

A fun way to encourage your children to feel like a golfer is to buy actual golf apparel, versus just a collared shirt.  There is a great selection of Junior Apparel at Golf Town to make your daughter or son feel like the LPGA and PGA Tour pros they watch on TV. In addition to Junior apparel make sure to check out Junior sized gloves, shoes and hats available in stores and online at www.GolfTown.com.

Golf is a wonderful family sport that that teaches and promotes important life lessons and skills.  I look forward to seeing you and your family out on the links. I guarantee you won’t be able to stop smiling!

Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is an 8-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women and Golf Town Brand Ambassador. She is a Keynote Speaker, Golf Entertainer, runs a Golf School for Women and teaches Ladies Clinics at Golf Town locations across Canada. Lisa can be reached through her website www.lisalongball.com or through Twitter @LisaLongball