We were chatting in the workshop the other day about what happens with young golfers and junior equipment …
When a youngster is playing with clubs that are too long, too stiff or too heavy it means the chances of a consistent swing are greatly reduced and marks the game with frustration. If the child is talented and the clubs are not the right size or weight, the swing is then built around the clubs. This begins a poor technique of incorrect swing movements which could take a lifetime to fix.
But if the clubs are sized according to height and ability the chances of fast-tracking a good strike is guaranteed. We use specifically light weight heads that can be adjusted as the child grows. If the clubs are built with the view that the young player develops good posture and control of the club, it allows for the development of a natural golf swing. This will lead to successful swing patterns and a better enjoyment of the game right from the start.
We have many successful junior stories; one example is Art Griffen and his two boys Tadgh and Cormac. Art saw their enthusiasm and wanted to make sure they got the right start in the game. We built them custom clubs under our junior programme and oversaw the adjustments of the clubs as the boys grew and their game developed. They are now playing better and with a more a consistent game, Tadgh is 9 years old and plays off 26 handicap (off the gents tees) and Cormac is 14 years old and plays off 9.
In fact two of today’s most promising Irish amateurs have been with us since they were 11 years old. Seamus Power from Waterford who is now in college in the States and Andrew “Drewsie” Pitcher also in USA. We have watched them grow into fine golfers who have been capped for Ireland. Our own Niall Kearney played in the recent Walker Cup, Niall was the only Irish selection to play in this years Walker Cup and it illustrates the success ForeGolf custom fitted clubs can bring to your game.
Tiger Woods was quoted on a recent article Golf Press Association “Golf Wire”
” I’m very lucky that my dad was such a stickler for having clubs that fit me and I didn’t have to make concessions in my golf swing because the clubs fit; they were never too big, too heavy, too long,” Woods said. “I think that’s one thing before you even get started that all amateurs can do is to get something that fits, and then from there keep expanding your knowledge and understanding how to play ”
You can book a 30 minute junior fitting session onboard the Tour Truck for your son or daughter in our Junior Club Programme which costs €50. We can then give you options based on their ability and help with their development. There are a number of price options available, the junior fitting programme is very structured, often saving money by only building the clubs that are necessary and adding others as the swing develops. The clubs can be tailored to last over the years and the adjustments are made by changing the shafts as the golfer grows. It is important to remember success does not have to cost the earth but getting it wrong could cost the game and wasted talent. We want to help people to enjoy golf and what’s better than being able to bring your youngster out for a few rounds.
Derek has his own kids in custom clubs – Joe (aged 5) has a Cleveland custom built set with his own bag and he loves to hit the driver. Sam (aged 2) has a great time with a trimmed down version of a full size putter. Don (Grandad) and Derek look forward to the day the boys are old enough for the golf course but until then they go to the indoor Mini Golf nearby and have fun with the boys. It’s all about instilling confidence at this point.
If you’re an avid golfer and you want to see if your kids are the same, we would recommend letting them try the game before you invest in a full set. Our workshop can trim your old clubs and put on a small junior grip so you can get them practising. We will need to see your child or you will need to bring the following measurements – child’s height from head to ground and from the wrist to floor with the arms down by the side (inches) so we can adapt your old club accordingly.
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