US KIDS GOLF

[Shanks2424]

My son is playing in his first Us Kids golf tournament in a few weeks he is in the 13-14 age group. I will be caddying for him. Any advice for the both of us.  

[Abh159]

Your instincts will probably tell you to "coach" him on every shot, but really you need to let him play his own game. If he asks for advice or help by all means offer your opinion, but you shouldn't be telling him what to do.

 

My best advice for parent caddies (as harsh as this sounds) is just carry the bag and keep your mouth shut. If there are things you notice during the round that he could improve on, wait until the day is over the bring those up and talk to him about them then.

[Shanks2424]

26 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

Your instincts will probably tell you to "coach" him on every shot, but really you need to let him play his own game. If he asks for advice or help by all means offer your opinion, but you shouldn't be telling him what to do.

 

My best advice for parent caddies (as harsh as this sounds) is just carry the bag and keep your mouth shut. If there are things you notice during the round that he could improve on, wait until the day is over the bring those up and talk to him about them then.

I have had that talk with myself already. I am his coach as well. And once we leave the driving range the day before I will not coach him. The only thing I plan on doing is help him  with yardages, club sections, and helping with our game plan. Other then that I will support him, keep him in good spirits and most imported remind him to have fun.

[NYBogeyGolfer]

48 minutes ago, Shanks2424 said:

My son is playing in his first Us Kids golf tournament in a few weeks he is in the 13-14 age group. I will be caddying for him. Any advice for the both of us.  

 

If it's your first tournament together, just cherish the time together. Don't stress out over the score or each shot. There will be some bad shots and some silly putts, in all likelihood. If you can accept this basic truth before the start of the round, your day will be much more enjoyable.

 

For golf specific advice, I would say the best thing you can probably do for your kid is to not-overcoach, and also keep him loose and relaxed. If he starts getting frustrated, don't pile on, and just try to bring him back to an emotionally stable place where he can play his best golf. Remind him of the good shots he has hit before, and remind him to eat snacks throughout the round.

[leezer99]

Fake an injury and let him go on his own.

[jlevitt9]

59 minutes ago, leezer99 said:

Fake an injury and let him go on his own.

 

Paul Pierce has entered the chat

[jigsaw1011]

2 hours ago, Shanks2424 said:

I have had that talk with myself already. I am his coach as well. And once we leave the driving range the day before I will not coach him. The only thing I plan on doing is help him  with yardages, club sections, and helping with our game plan. Other then that I will support him, keep him in good spirits and most imported remind him to have fun.

You are already doing too much. Do not “coach” on the range. Let him warm up his muscles and get his feel. He is not going to find his game on the range before a tournament so no need for coaching. No need for a caddy at that age. Let him go have his own experience. He will be better for it and you will preserve your relationship. If you want to speak about the round wait until the next day. Ask questions about what you observed.

Edited September 3, 2024 by jigsaw1011

[TroyB123]

You probably should give an indication of how much tournament experience the kid has?   If little or none, then you can probably be a little more involved in making sure he's following rules etc.   If they are experienced, then just carry the bag.   

 

I'm surprised US kids allows caddies all the way up to 18.  I am guessing that doesn't go very well in a whole lot of tournaments.    

 

Parents, even if they mean well, aren't going to be the best at calming a kid down or anything like that.  They seem much better off when they are just interacting with the other kids in the group.

[Shanks2424]

11 hours ago, TroyB123 said:

You probably should give an indication of how much tournament experience the kid has?   If little or none, then you can probably be a little more involved in making sure he's following rules etc.   If they are experienced, then just carry the bag.   

 

I'm surprised US kids allows caddies all the way up to 18.  I am guessing that doesn't go very well in a whole lot of tournaments.    

 

Parents, even if they mean well, aren't going to be the best at calming a kid down or anything like that.  They seem much better off when they are just interacting with the other kids in the group.

This is his first tournament period other then drive chip and putt.

[MahalNeneng]

There is a reason most jr events dont allow parents in the beg. 
its cute at 5-9 and might be useful again after 17 or 18. Inbetween its a crapshoot could be a nice stroll or conversely a war.  

[Shanks2424]

1 hour ago, MahalNeneng said:

There is a reason most jr events dont allow parents in the beg. 
its cute at 5-9 and might be useful again after 17 or 18. Inbetween its a crapshoot could be a nice stroll or conversely a war.  

well that's the one thing my son and I don't do is start wars on the golf course or when we are practicing. My son is very chill and doesn't get angry to bad. We also don't get into arguments on the course. Now I know there will be a few that will chime in and say oh just you wait. My son and I have already discussed this he wants me to be on his bag. I gave him the two options if he wanted to go alone or me on the bag and he wanted me for his first tournament ever. When we play together he is on his own unless he asks me a question or a number with our rangefinder.

Edited September 4, 2024 by Shanks2424

[jigsaw1011]

1 hour ago, MahalNeneng said:

There is a reason most jr events dont allow parents in the beg. 
its cute at 5-9 and might be useful again after 17 or 18. Inbetween its a crapshoot could be a nice stroll or conversely a war.  

This. At 13-14 in US Kids most of the players will not have a caddy. The kids will likely be chatting with each other and having a parent caddy limits the fun factor. Does your son know the basic rules of golf? If so, he will be fine. So what if he doesn’t choose the right club for a shot and you are not there to correct him? He will learn from it. It is about gaining experience not winning. 

[LawGenius305]

19 hours ago, jigsaw1011 said:

You are already doing too much. Do not “coach” on the range. Let him warm up his muscles and get his feel. He is not going to find his game on the range before a tournament so no need for coaching. No need for a caddy at that age. Let him go have his own experience. He will be better for it and you will preserve your relationship. If you want to speak about the round wait until the next day. Ask questions about what you observed.

I have a memory from back in the day. Watched a dad have his son hit 2 buckets (100 balls per bucket) of  balls on the range before the tournament. Kid was tired before he even teed off. Ended up withdrawing mid round.

[Shanks2424]

23 minutes ago, LawGenius305 said:

I have a memory from back in the day. Watched a dad have his son hit 2 buckets (100 balls per bucket) of  balls on the range before the tournament. Kid was tired before he even teed off. Ended up withdrawing mid round.

That is not me. On days of his drive chip and putt I would have to stop my son from hitting so many range balls. Also the day of the tournament I don't coach. We set up an alignment stick to our target and we hit balls to loosen up and to get a feel of the swing for the day. Also the day before the tournament we hit a medium bucket to go over things we have been working on and that's it. The day of the tournament we have a routine we do when we go play golf and all depends on when the tee time is and we do everything in slow motion no rushing and we leave early and no speeding on the highway. just stay nice and relaxed.

[Shanks2424]

1 hour ago, jigsaw1011 said:

This. At 13-14 in US Kids most of the players will not have a caddy. The kids will likely be chatting with each other and having a parent caddy limits the fun factor. Does your son know the basic rules of golf? If so, he will be fine. So what if he doesn’t choose the right club for a shot and you are not there to correct him? He will learn from it. It is about gaining experience not winning. 

Why would I correct him on a bad shot or a bad club selection. He also has never played in one of these tournaments ever. This is his first tournament so he dosent know any of the kids that play in them we have not had a local tour in St. Louis for a few years. 

Edited September 4, 2024 by Shanks2424

[Ajgaguy83]

Have fun and do no harm. That's it. If both are accomplished, it's a good day. 

[LawGenius305]

44 minutes ago, Shanks2424 said:

That is not me. On days of his drive chip and putt I would have to stop my son from hitting so many range balls. Also the day of the tournament I don't coach. We set up an alignment stick to our target and we hit balls to loosen up and to get a feel of the swing for the day. Also the day before the tournament we hit a medium bucket to go over things we have been working on and that's it. The day of the tournament we have a routine we do when we go play golf and all depends on when the tee time is and we do everything in slow motion no rushing and we leave early and no speeding on the highway. just stay nice and relaxed.

Not saying it is you. Just making a comment.

[jigsaw1011]

30 minutes ago, Shanks2424 said:

Why would I correct him on a bad shot or a bad club selection. He also has never played in one of these tournaments ever. This is his first tournament so he dosent know any of the kids that play in them we have not had a local tour in St. Louis for a few years. 

That is how they start making golf buddies by playing in tournaments.
 

It seems like you have decided to caddy for him. My son is coming to end of his junior golf career. He played US Kids for 4 of his junior years. He did Worlds, regional tournaments and local tours probably over 75 tournaments overall.  I can honestly say I never saw a parent caddy doing it the right way. The smart parents knew not to caddy. Most of the parent caddies have good intentions but in the middle of competition adults have a difficult time managing their emotions/desires.  You have experienced junior golf parents giving you some tips/advice if you do caddy. My advice is to not do it.

[Shanks2424]

2 minutes ago, LawGenius305 said:

Not saying it is you. Just making a comment.

Oh I understand that sorry I came across that way. I was just stating a fact. And that sucks for the kid when parents act like that.

[Shanks2424]

2 minutes ago, jigsaw1011 said:

That is how they start making golf buddies by playing in tournaments.
 

It seems like you have decided to caddy for him. My son is coming to end of his junior golf career. He played US Kids for 4 of his junior years. He did Worlds, regional tournaments and local tours probably over 75 tournaments overall.  I can honestly say I never saw a parent caddy doing it the right way. The smart parents knew not to caddy. Most of the parent caddies have good intentions but in the middle of competition adults have a difficult time managing their emotions/desires.  You have experienced junior golf parents giving you some tips/advice if you do caddy. My advice is to not do it.

I love how you state that I was the one that choose to caddy for him and now calling me not smart because I am going to go out there with my son. My son has never done this before he asked me to caddy for him. I don't appreciate you degrading me by saying smart parents don't caddie. All I did was ask for advice not to be told I am dumb and going to ruin my relationship with my kid. 

[wlm]

My 2 cents - I think target selection and yardage/wind are areas where you can have helpful discussion. I would try to let it be his decision, with you framing the options. He'll be more committed and get more out of it.  Other than that, just be supportive and forward looking. 

[jigsaw1011]

18 minutes ago, Shanks2424 said:

I love how you state that I was the one that choose to caddy for him and now calling me not smart because I am going to go out there with my son. My son has never done this before he asked me to caddy for him. I don't appreciate you degrading me by saying smart parents don't caddie. All I did was ask for advice not to be told I am dumb and going to ruin my relationship with my kid. 

My intention was not to insult you. My apologies. I am giving you my perspective of watching hundreds of tournament rounds of junior golf. You asked for advice and I offered my thoughts based on experience. Is this not what this forum about?  I came here looking for wisdom from parents who were ahead of me on the junior golf journey and gained perspectives different from mine. This forum has been invaluable to me in helping my son navigate and for me to understand the competitive junior golf world. You are just starting. I wish you good luck. Peace.

[eddiecut]

My daughter and I just started doing US Kids this year and its been awesome to help her navigate the course. We never talk about swing thoughts etc... but its great to ask questions on how she is going to play the hole and talk through different options in real time. 

 

Have fun and just know, its going to eb and flow the entire time... the roller coaster of emotions is crazy.

[Shanks2424]

2 hours ago, wlm said:

My 2 cents - I think target selection and yardage/wind are areas where you can have helpful discussion. I would try to let it be his decision, with you framing the options. He'll be more committed and get more out of it.  Other than that, just be supportive and forward looking. 

That right there is my plan and great advice.

[Shanks2424]

19 minutes ago, eddiecut said:

My daughter and I just started doing US Kids this year and its been awesome to help her navigate the course. We never talk about swing thoughts etc... but its great to ask questions on how she is going to play the hole and talk through different options in real time. 

 

Have fun and just know, its going to eb and flow the entire time... the roller coaster of emotions is crazy.

I agree with the swing talk. That is for the range. Even when me and him are playing I do not give him swing advice on the course. 

[kekoa]

Cherish it because this may be your first and last time on the bag. 🤣

 

All kidding aside, have fun and you will both probably learn a lot out there.   My son hasn't played a USkids tournament in about 4 years and that was when I was fired.  As your son plays more tournaments, you will quickly realize these mean almost nothing in the grand scheme of things.  

[Shanks2424]

30 minutes ago, kekoa said:

Cherish it because this may be your first and last time on the bag. 🤣

 

All kidding aside, have fun and you will both probably learn a lot out there.   My son hasn't played a USkids tournament in about 4 years and that was when I was fired.  As your son plays more tournaments, you will quickly realize these mean almost nothing in the grand scheme of things.  

Sorry you were fired lol. hahaha

[jigsaw1011]

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-parents-are-getting-crazier

 

Like I said. Interesting read.

[golferdad8]

19 hours ago, kekoa said:

Cherish it because this may be your first and last time on the bag. 🤣

 

All kidding aside, have fun and you will both probably learn a lot out there.   My son hasn't played a USkids tournament in about 4 years and that was when I was fired.  As your son plays more tournaments, you will quickly realize these mean almost nothing in the grand scheme of things.  

I was fired too early on while at US Kids - then got a second chance during HS caddying at an amateur event - and then I got fired again!
 

It’s ok though as he’s now playing college golf & I am now a full time cheerleader & doing a much better job. 

[leezer99]

1 hour ago, golferdad8 said:

I was fired too early on while at US Kids - then got a second chance during HS caddying at an amateur event - and then I got fired again!
 

It’s ok though as he’s now playing college golf & I am now a full time cheerleader & doing a much better job. 

 

I remember caddying for my kid once and he asked me a question to which I replied "I don't know..." and he goes, "why are you even here?"  🤣