AJ has been a golfer since he could walk. He loves the clubs, balls and golf course. When he was 1, we gave him a plastic set of clubs that came with a golf bag, 3 clubs, 3 balls, and 2 plastic cups with flags. He played with it so much that we had to replace it and buy golf accessories; finding a golf glove for a one year old is challenging. For his second birthday he asked for a real set of clubs. He told everyone that he was getting big boy clubs for his birthday; we finally gave in and bought him a set, our pediatrician was horrified.
The long entry way in our house is a perfect indoor golf course. We put a cup at the end and let him hit to ball into it. We had a rug about 20 feet from the cup and he used it as his driving range. As time went on, we realized that golf in the house had inherent problems especially since he could chip the ball all the way down the hall and still hit to top of the door frame. He was getting good and the hallway went from being the driving range to the putting green.
For Christmas this year he got his own kids motorized golf cart. I had no idea that they made such a thing, but Grandma found one and knew that he would love it. He drives around the neighborhood with his clubs strapped to the back. He is the only kid that I have seen that is happy to drive a golf cart instead of a Jeep or race car.
This summer, AJ took his first formal golf lessons. He loves playing golf but he doesn’t like to listen to someone telling him how to play. He has been going to the course since he could walk and thinks that he already knows everything about golf and most of the time he isn’t half bad.
For the past 2-1/2 years, he and Grandpa go to the driving range and then play the first hole about once a week. He used to hit the ball into the sand trap on purpose because it was fun to hit out of the sand. Now he knows that the objective is to avoid the sand and he does that pretty well, too.
People ask him if he is the next Tiger Woods and his answer is, "I am Tiger Woods, I golf and have fun." Who can argue with that logic?
I am frequently asked if I will put him in private lessons and guide him to pursue golf. I laugh and tell them that he is only 4 and in a year he may like something else a lot more than golf. For now, I encourage him to do the things that make him happy and golf seems to fit the bill.
Boo caught the golf bug, too. He got a gift card and we took him to the store to pick out what he wanted. He saw the plastic golf set and carried it through the store. We showed him alternatives but he just walked off pulling his golf clubs.
(copyright 2008)
I am looking forward to the day when we can play golf with the boys. Until then, I will continue to take them to the driving range and give them any opportunity that I can to help them decide what they love to do with their time.
AJ is probably not going to be the next Tiger Woods and I am fine with that. He is well rounded; likes building with Legos and Tinker Toys, and may be the next great architect. He also likes to play baseball, soccer, color and play with Playdoh all of which could mean something if I chose to read way too much into it.
I am raising 2 golf fanatics who love to play the game. I will support them as long as it lasts and then move along with them to their next passing fancy. It is my job as their mom to keep perspective and know that today’s passion may be tomorrow’s forgotten memory.
Off to make another Mommy Milestone.