Many golf courses in Thailand welcome
kids on their fairways
Class ‘A’ Clubmaker, Mick Wittering
makes custom clubs for all ages
Young players take to the fairways
on Phuket
There’s never been a better time for youngsters to learn and play golf. Thankfully much of the stuffiness and pomposity that used to pervade the game is a thing of the past.
Juniors were neither seen nor heard at some golf clubs a few years ago but countries like Thailand have a very refreshing attitude to youngsters; if you’ve paid a green fee, you can play − as long as it’s not to the detriment of the course or the other players.
In Asia one individual has been largely responsible for the huge growth in the popularity of the game; Tiger Woods no less. In the era where he dominates the men’s professional game, it should come as no surprise that he started playing at a very early stage in his life. There have not been many late starters who went on to achieve the great things that he has, but even so the man is a phenomenon unlikely to be matched for some time.
His mother Kultida was born in Thailand and is a Thai native, so Tiger is no stranger to the country; there is even a picture of him swinging a club at the age of 5 or 6 in the clubhouse at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
Tiger’s visits here, as well as a surge in the success of local professionals such as Thongchai Jaidee on the Asian and European Tours, have helped to spark a huge interest in the game amongst the younger community; it’s only a matter of time before a local player reaches the giddy heights of a top 10 ranking in the world. In fact Prom Meesawat has already been a world junior champion, before going on to join the paid ranks.
The starting point is usually one of the golfing schools or academies or even the local driving range; six years old is a good age to make a start. Bangkok has a proliferation of the latter and nowadays there are many scattered all over the country, so if you’re near civilization, a range won’t be too far away. For a handful of Thai Baht for a tray of balls, the kids can have fun learning how to hit the ball by watching mum and dad before having a go themselves, or they can go it alone by taking lessons from a professional. Almost every range has a pro standing by in some shape or form; some are USGA or Thai PGA qualified or are former touring pros plying their trade.
Many of the international schools have full golfing programs and either have in-house teachers or employ the regular services of a local golf pro from one of the courses or driving ranges; so once or twice a week the kids are getting proper schooling in the technicalities as well as the etiquette of the game. There are also several dedicated golf academies such as the Three Generation Golf Academy at the PTIS International School in Chiang Mai. Lessons vary from an hour a week up to on a daily basis, both before and after academic lessons.
The Bangkok Golf Training Centre runs a selection of instructional opportunities. Over the weekend, ‘Kids 90’ provides 90 minutes of coaching conducted by British PGA Pros. Saturday is reserved for beginners and those new to the game, whilst players with some experience, get the chance to improve their technique and learn how to lower their handicaps the following day.
For more intensive training the 'Junior Dragon Program' runs over the whole weekend for a duration of eight weeks.
Also in Bangkok, Bromsgrove International School enlists professional golf teaching staff to run a program which is actually amalgamated into the regular PE curriculum. The weekly lessons cover topics ranging from golf basics to on-course etiquette and playing tips. There’s also additional after-school tuition available which has a more personal approach to fine-tuning individual abilities. Both of these Bangkok facilities offer summer golf camps.
Finally, a great way to get kids started is to take them out to one of several par 3 courses that exist around the country, if possible during the week when they’re not so crowded. It’s also best to avoid rainy days. The 9 hole course at Bangkok Golf, with its water hazards and bunkers, is a rather good test of golf, but would suit those who hit the ball well and is certainly good for practicing the short game.
In the southern region, kids are made very welcome at Laguna Phuket Golf Club, who schedule weekly training sessions. The name of the programme is 'Iceberg Golf' and there's a minimal fee for joining each of the lessons or a special discount package for attending 10. The whole thing is an informal affair. With no hard and fast rules demanding a presence every week, the kids can just drop in whenever and however often they wish and pick up where they left off, making it ideal for full or part time residents and holidaymakers alike. Also on Phuket, kids can enjoy junior rates at Loch Palm Golf Club and Red Mountain Golf Course. In fact, these days, kids are made very welcome at a number of courses around the country.
An enjoyable family atmosphere extends throughout the course's fairways and facilities including the clubhouse and pro shop, where a number of items are available in 'kids sizes'. Carts are on hand to carry players 'of all ages' around the fairways and putting and chipping greens offer kids the opportunity to get into the swing of things under the guidance of resident golf pros, all at, in most places, special discounted junior rates!
So start saving money; before you know it, your kids will be after the latest drivers, clubs and proV1x balls as well as all the right clothing to look the part.
