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I'm taking my 12 year old son to play 18 on saturday. He's only played one other time and we just played a real fast 9 holes. Since we will have all day to play, should I let him keep his score or just let him mess around like before?

Personally I think you should keep score, I dont want to offend anyone or anything, but give him a reason to go to the course and play, we have a few problems with young kids going out on courses around here just to "goof off". Nothing good comes from it either, they just want to go out and play around, damage greens/hack up fairways and such, then they get older and can drive a cart, and it gets worse from there.

Teach your son to respect the game, not saying he doesnt already, but more saying, teach him how to act like a golfer you wish was in front of your group when your out on the course. I love this game and get goose bumps when I see a kid at the range who is really putting his all into the game because he likes it, really gives you hope ya know? But then when you see other kids just out there because they can swing a club and hit stuff, it really discourages me and makes me think that kids should be accompanied by adults on the course, though I dont wish for that.

If he likes it and takes it as a little more seriously, great, if not then treat it as a father/son time which you can never have too much of. (trust me, I have never met my father and wish I could play one round of golf with him even if it meant I would never see him again)

Thanks for the advice bb. So do you think people will mind if he shoots like 150 or something? That's what I was more worried about. And trust me, he would never be allowed on the course again if he hacked up a green or fairway.
Some of my best childhood memories were spent sitting in the golf cart while my dad and grandpa played. They would let me play like one or two holes and I thought it was great.

I would be respectful when out there and remember to let people play thru if they are on your tails, no need to hurry up your son and get him frustrated, enjoy the day with him and make it relaxing and enjoyable. Who cares what he shoots, I would either have him tee off from the red tees or you both can play the next set back, maybe even make a "fun" wager with him for something silly. Either way, dont worry about other people out there, you pay to enjoy the game and get away.

A course near us has a special for kids 12 and under - they're free after 6pm on the weekends. The courses are almost dead at that time anyway. My buddy (aka 7-year old son) and I got to play 9 holes a couple of weeks ago and he said it was the most fun he had golfing. We regularly go out to the par-3 course to let him get some practice.

Is your son good enough yet to be able to handle a 400 yard hole? Mine isn't just yet, so we would both tee off then he'd pick up his ball and put it by mine for the second shot. He did that as many times as he wanted. We kept score, but I put whatever he told me his score was (I know he was shaving a few strokes off each hole, but so be it.)

And bbtt, I'm sorry you never met your father. Mine is gone now, but we did go golfing twice together. It was one of the more memorable times. There was one hole where we thought we had to clear about 200 yards of water before a 40' elevated green. After about 5 balls from each of us were dunked, we looked at the card and realized we were supposed to be aiming the opposite direction.

There's no better time than father-son time. I'm going to go home and give my son a big hug.

Then I'll ask him to mow the yard.

I would stress the importance of keeping score, but if it is his only 2nd time out, I think I would try to help him with more important things, like the grip, stance, etc., things that could really help him in the long run to get started off correctly. There is always time for scorekeeping. A huge score could turn him off and make him feel really bad.

Good luck man.

That's hilarious!!!!!

The last time I let him tee off and then he would hit the second shot from my ball so that worked out okay. He did really good with his short game so I was kind of impressed.

I think I'd like to keep his score so that each time he goes out it will show how much he has improved.

I think you should keep score but only for fun. Give em something to each after.

Are you kidding? If he doesn't break 120 then I'm getting the belt out.

I'm not sure what kind of player you are, but rather than subjecting him to your tee shots (and that's not a knock or anything, just I know I'd rather not make a kid play from whatever tree or rock pile I hit it into each hole ), why not just cut down each hole into an appropriate length given his age and the difficulty of the hole and have him tee it up in the fairway? I realize it might take a slight bit more time, but it might be easier getting the hang of it when he's playing each hole at a length appropriate to his ability and the design of the hole as well....ie tough holes are supposed to be tough, so play them a little farther back....just a thought though. Have a great time with your son Saturday!!

Please don't take him out in the morning or early afternoon. That is when the more serious golfers and better players play.(Or should be playing) Also, I would let him hit from the ladies tee until he can hit it 150 yards. Also, if he has taken more than 7 strokes and is still not on the green, then have him pick up and bring the ball to the green to chip and putt out. I would also take him out a couple of more times for 9 holes before going for 18 holes.

Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that you are teaching your son to play, but there are too many slow players and people that have poor etiquette. Teach your son good etiquette and how to play quickly, and he will be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Have a great time!

P.S. There is a reason that the US Open always ends on father's day. Fathers are supposed to teach their children this great game.

That's what I'm talking about, a little tough love. A friend of mine grew up in Texas, and one of his stories about his dad was when his dad made him did fence post holes on Christmas Day. Hilarious.

Some courses I play have a set of tees foreward of the womens tees. If your course has them, that seems like it would be a good distance for his age and ability.

Speaking of young kids playing, didn't Tiger shoot his first round of par at age 10? Unbelievable.

Taylor Made.....How did you teach your son to play? I have a 10 year old I am trying to teach and it is frustrating for me. I don't remember how I was when I first learned to play, but I don't recall being so "thick headed" Should I just quit and turn him over to a professionall to take some quality lessons? Or just keep pluggin away?

Honestly, I haven't "taught" him to play. I pretty much just let him jump on. I'm trying to teach him a better grip. We've only been out a couple of times together. He hits the ball pretty straight though.