Manitoba Golf Guide | 2016

07 GOLF GUIDE 2016 Manitoba

GOLF IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM RAISING UP NEW GENERATION OF GOLFERS BY TODD LEWYS

WHILE YOUNG KIDS LOVE TO PLAY, INTRODUCING THEM TO A SPORT CAN BE ANOTHER PROPOSITION ALTOGETHER . G etting them to play sports like soccer or football is easy, because (at least during the initial introduction to the sport), not a lot of technique is required to have fun – all you need to do is kick, or throw the ball around. Often, those simple actions are enough to get kids hooked on the sport. The same can’t necessarily be said of a sport like golf. Much like baseball, some technique is required early on to be successful in hitting the ball. When teaching baseball to youngsters, coaches will first put a ball up on a tee so kids can have a better chance of hitting the ball. Once they’ve gotten the hang of making decent contact, only then do coaches progress to having players hit pitches. For years, schools tried to introduce golf to kids in a distinctly Scottish way: using regulation-sized golf balls (or plastic whiffle balls) and small-headed clubs. The real balls were (hopefully) hit into a net, or those students who were lucky enough to make contact with the whiffle balls knocked them halfway down the gym with a good swing. It wasn’t the most user-friendly – or fun – way to introduce kids to an inherently difficult

sport, to say the least. While Golf Manitoba has had its Golf in Schools program for much of the past 20 years, the program’s focus has changed dramatically in the last five to six years, says Garth Goodbrandson, Golf Manitoba’s director of player development. “Over the last number of years, we’ve developed a kit that’s far more user-friendly,” he says. “Rather than regular clubs and whiffle balls, we now give kids oversized, hard plastic clubs and big Nerf balls. They can put the ball up on a tee, and then – after a bit of instruction – take a swing at it.” The difference between the old and new methods of introducing kids to the game has been night and day, Goodbrandson says. “Kids really enjoy the bigger ball – it’s just so much easier to hit when you’re starting out. With the bigger ball, there are very few missed shots, and kids are able to get the ball up in the air. They love seeing the ball fly through the air, and are excited about their success.” The new approach has resonated with young female golfers, he adds. “Their success rate with the bigger club and ball is just so much greater. Before, when they tried to hit a small whiffle ball with a small club, they’d hit the ground, and it would hurt their hands. They have so much fun with the expanded ball and club – there’s lots of laughter, and smiles. When kids have more fun, you have a much better chance of catching their interest and getting them involved in the game.” Today, the Golf for Kids Program is offered at more than 100 elementary schools across the province. Not only has the new approach

gone over well with kids, it’s also gone over well with schools. “It’s not only fun, but it’s safe for both the kids and teachers,” Goodbrandson says, adding that Golf Manitoba also puts on instructional seminars for teachers. “You can do it inside or outside, and it doesn’t take a lot of resources to put it on – they’re provided for the schools. We typically start doing the clinics in May or June in physical education classes. Our goal is to put golf clubs in as many hands as possible to expose kids to golf.” The whole idea is to capture kids’ imaginations by making the sport as fun as possible.

“If kids have fun and get off to a good start, chances are good that they’ll explore the sport further,” he says. “If they show that interest, we’ll supply them with irons and a putter so they can get out and practice at a golf course.” At that point, there’s a good chance that they’ll will be hooked on the game, and will want to progress to playing at city courses, or at a local golf club. “It’s all about raising up the next generation of golfers,” Goodbrandson says. “In the last three years, we’ve put about 5,000 kids through the program each year. We’re hopeful that many of those kids will develop a love for the game, and will want to play it for the rest of their lives.”

Garth Goodbrandson says the oversized, user-friendly clubs and balls have been a hit with kids.

100% Manitoba Owned

CHARTER TRIPS FORALL OCCASIONS CANADA OR USA

BEAVER BUS LINES LTD.

• Deluxe Modern Buses • Air Conditioned • Washroom Equipped

• Professional Drivers • Underneath Storage • CD & DVD Equipped

• Free Wifi in Canada

204. 989.7007

10% Discount on Golf Charters 1 G