"Golf is fun and has to remain being fun long after the leaves have fallen to the ground, and a white winter blanket covers the paths so many have walked too claim the right to be humbled."

Now with that being said let's talk about golfing with your children. After eighteen years of teaching this game to over three thousand students. That very first day was difficult because I was DAD, and I sounded like DAD.

Because that very first time out on a public course with my two young children makes for a very uncomfortable time. Youre protective and at the same time concerned that everyone who comes into contact with you and the family today will be gracious. So you become conscious of speed of play, lost balls, driving, putting, everything is magnified.

So this first time out I am with my daughter who had just turned eight and my son who was ten and the other in our foursome was my wife. Now my wife who had not played in years and desperately needed some lessons was really there to protect her young, as well as too make this a family outing. I should have known then I was in for a long day.

So by the seventh hole my wife becomes a snarling cat ready to pounce if I said one more negative word to either child. By the end of that first round I thought we would never speak to each other again. I thought I would never hear my children's voices again. But they were young and had patience for me, knowing I would eventually come around and make the game enjoyable for them and the good news is we all learned and laughed from that first experience.

Let's look at some advice from one father. One of the most important aspects of teaching this game of golf to your children is your verbal skills. Do not wait to "talk" the game of golf until you're out there on the course. Start these conversations the day of or before you're going out to play. Get them excited and involved in the whole game not just the swinging aspect. Golf has to be fun, relaxing and always enjoyable; unlike other sports that are confined to the same topography. Golf is full of beautiful vistas and played around the world on some of the finest real-estate on the planet.

Let them come to understand that it is not a game of can they "beat" the other three people they are playing with. That golf is always and will always be about the ground they are playing on. If that ground wins the battle today that it may win every time they walk on it. They must always be aware of the lay of the course.

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