Podcasts about us kids golf

(00:00) Summer Camp Age Requirement Disagreement This chapter explores a lively discussion about the challenges of managing junior golf programs and the intricacies of communication with parents. I recount a humorous yet frustrating experience with a parent eager to enroll his children in our summer camps. The parent attempts to bend the age rules for his younger, golf-enthusiastic child, who doesn't meet the minimum age requirement. Despite the father's persistence, I maintain the camp's policy, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established guidelines for the benefit of all participants. Additionally, I touch on the amusing mix-up of daylight savings time, which led to some unexpected schedule confusion. Overall, the conversation highlights the balance between accommodating individual requests and maintaining program integrity. (03:33) Golfers Discuss Adding Loft to Shots This chapter begins with a humorous anecdote involving Don Rickles and a New York mobster, illustrating the unpredictable twists of life. As we shift focus, the excitement of the golf season's start is palpable, with the Masters marking the unofficial kickoff. The conversation touches on regional golfing challenges, such as wet conditions affecting courses in certain areas. We share experiences from different locales, including New England's lingering winter and South Florida's seasonal transition. The discussion includes a fascinating lesson from a high-rise apartment equipped with a golf simulator overlooking beautiful vistas. This setting provides a unique take on indoor golf, offering a comfortable alternative to braving the outdoor elements. (17:54) Effective Junior Golf Camp Grouping This chapter explores the creation of successful golf programs for kids by considering the desires of parents, whether they seek fun experiences or potential playing partners within the family. We emphasize the importance of making lessons engaging for children, using real golf clubs from US Kids Golf to ensure proper sizing, and avoiding outdated equipment. Additionally, I discuss strategies for handling children who are initially uninterested by fostering a welcoming environment and recognizing past negative experiences. We also highlight the significance of grouping kids by maturity and physical development, ensuring a supportive learning atmosphere. The ultimate goal is to make golf enjoyable and memorable for young participants. (27:27) Junior Golf Camp Age Groups This chapter explores the dynamics of junior golf and the nuances of teaching young golfers. We discuss how older children can become self-conscious in mixed-age groups and share a story of a parent misunderstanding the group dynamics due to her child's height. We also address the challenges of working with kids who have received golf tips from their parents, offering strategies for respecting parental input while gently guiding young golfers toward effective techniques. The importance of communication with both children and their parents is highlighted, as well as the need for teachers to navigate these relationships with tact and understanding. (31:24) Teaching Kids to Problem Solve This chapter focuses on the dynamics of teaching and coaching young people, particularly teenagers, while managing parental involvement. We explore the importance of encouraging kids to think independently and develop problem-solving skills by reframing information so that it becomes their own discovery. The conversation also addresses how to handle parents who are eager to be involved in their child's learning process, suggesting ways to engage them without undermining the child's autonomy. By inviting parents into the learning experience and positioning them to observe and learn alongside their child, we facilitate a collaborative environment where both parties benefit. This approach helps parents to understand their role better, allowing them to step back and trust the expertise of the coach, ultimately leading to a more supportive and effective learning experience for the child. (39:59) Junior Golf League Equipment Consideration This chapter explores the PGA Junior League, a youth golf program that varies in quality depending on the club or course offering it. We discuss the benefits of introducing children to golf through such programs and emphasize the importance of not pushing kids into the sport if they aren't interested. When children do show interest, it's advised to hold off on buying expensive equipment until they have some experience and understanding of what they need. Renting or borrowing clubs initially is a smart move, and when purchasing, it's crucial to ensure the clubs fit the child properly to avoid bad habits and potential injuries. We compare buying ill-fitting golf clubs to outfitting a child with adult-sized sports equipment, highlighting the absurdity and potential harm of such a practice. (49:54) Choosing the Right Golf Instructor This chapter focuses on the importance of ensuring a good fit between children and their teachers when introducing them to new activities. We explore the idea that children should have the opportunity to meet and connect with their potential teachers to ensure they mesh well, as this can significantly impact their enthusiasm and success in learning. Emphasizing the need for the right lessons and equipment, we discuss how a child's love for an activity can be greatly influenced by their relationship with their teacher. Ensuring the right attitude is also key, as a negative experience can deter a child's interest, even if they have a natural affinity for the activity.

This episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts Podcast features a pair of interviews from the PGA Show Demo Day. We speak with Mizuno's Chris Voshall on the newest Mizuno Golf Clubs plus we interview U.S. Kids Golf's Josh Kinchen about how their company is helping grow the game with junior golfers. Drew also dives into the latest news in the world of golf, including looking at some unique clubs in play at the WM Phoenix Open. 00:00 Introduction 01:19 The Turn 01:42 Thomas Detry WITB 04:20 Unique Clubs in Play at WM Phoenix Open 05:41 Kate Smith-Stroh makes LPGA Debut 06:58 Mizuno JPX 925 Forged & Pro S-3 Irons 15:47 Mizuno M-Craft X Putters 22:34 U.S. Kids Golf 33:16 2nd Swing Finds Mizuno has added two new irons to its lineup with the introduction of the Mizuno JPX 925 Forged and Mizuno Pro S-3 Irons. Mizuno Product Manager Chris Voshall shares what went into the design of each of these models and what types of golfers are best suited to play them. Mizuno also added a new putter series with the Mizuno M-Craft X lineup. Chris goes into detail on how these putters are designed, and why the versatility of these putters will be a game-changer.  US Kids Golf is a leading organization dedicated to growing the game of golf among younger golfers. US Kids Golf is known for an innovative approach to junior golf, primarily through their specially designed equipment. U.S. Kids Golf Senior Director of Product Development Josh Kinchen joins the show to talk about the ways U.S. Kids Golf is growing the sport.  The 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast, presented by 2nd Swing Golf, covers anything and everything in golf equipment and club fitting. The 2nd Swing Thoughts will feature experts in the golf industry sharing insights and latest trends in golf clubs and club fittings. 2nd Swing Thoughts will also cover the latest in professional golf. LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bJFzfhoUmpHZF6fyFsjmX  LISTEN ON AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f5e3b825-bae2-40d0-9ec4-722e96b99de6/2nd-swing-thoughts  LISTEN ON APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2nd-swing-thoughts/id1683899359 Schedule an award-winning 2nd Swing fitting: https://www.2ndswing.com/golf-club-fittings SUBSCRIBE to the 2nd Swing YouTube channel today for more in-depth golf equipment reviews and club fitting insights. FOLLOW 2ND SWING GOLF ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndSwingGolf X: https://X.com/2ndSwingGolf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2ndswinggolf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@2ndswinggolf

VP of Sales, Mark Rickell joins the show to update everyone on new technology and products for the new year. A little history lesson of its origin and future plans. And by the way - visit clubcar.com to see how you can customize your very own Club Car!Club Car boasts a 60+ year history of industry-leading innovation and design, initially focused on golf cars and then expanding to commercial utility vehicles and personal-use transportation.Every detail of design, fabrication and assembly at Club Car is executed with an uncompromised desire for superior performance. Manufacturing quality products is paramount to our employees, and has been the driving force behind our company. It's also why we were named one of EHS Today's America's Safest Companies. We are proud to call Augusta, Georgia our home.Our relationship with customers and approved dealers is equally important, with a worldwide distribution network including over 350 distributors and dealers. We value our long standing customer and industry relationships and how our customers can depend on our vehicles to perform day after day for many, many years.  We are the official golf car of the PGA of America, PGA TOUR Tournament Players Club (TPC) Network and European Tour. Our vehicles have been prominently shown at multiple Ryder Cup and President Cup events.  We are also active supporters of US Kids Golf and the First Tee.Club Car was originally founded in 1958 in Houston, TX, but was moved to Augusta, GA in 1962 by Bill Stevens and began production .  In 1979 the business was acquired by ‘The Original 8', a group of former EZGO executives who purchased the business and reset the competitive landscape with the introduction of many influential new products.  In 1995, Club Car was acquired by Ingersoll Rand, where it continued to build its legacy as the global leader in golf and utility vehicles.  In 2021, Club Car was acquired by Platinum Equity.

Junior Golf can be confusing for parents and today we are going to UN-confuse it! Matt Adams will sit down with the titans in junior golf as we chat with executives from Operation 36, PGA Jr League, US Kids Golf, Youth on Course, the First Tee and the USGA"s new US National Development Program. Looking for a way to get your child into golf? You came to the right place, we have all the answers!

Join us on the green as we kick off the season with a swing, sharing a mix of laughter and wisdom in our latest golf-centric discussion. Listen in as I, John Ashton, alongside top 100 teacher Jeff Smith and our special guest, James Hong, share tales from the fairway, including a gripping anecdote about Don Rickles and a mobster that'll have you on the edge of your seat. We chat about the challenges and joys that come with the start of the golf season, from the migration of golfers seeking warmer climates to the surprising observation about senior golfers grappling with the mystery of losing distance on their irons. Plus, get a peek into the luxurious world of high-rise golf simulators that might just revolutionize your practice sessions. For those fostering the next generation of golfers, our conversation navigates the intricacies of junior golf programs. We share insights on how to create an engaging and supportive environment that caters to a child's developmental needs, ensuring they fall in love with the game. From the delicate balance of coaching kids with prior instruction from their parents to strategies for effectively involving parents in the learning process, our talk is a treasure trove of tips for anyone looking to guide young athletes. We also delve into the often overlooked yet critical topic of choosing the right golf equipment for kids, drawing on the humorous yet telling parallels with other sports. Rounding out our tee time talk, we explore the journey of finding the perfect golf instructor for your budding junior golfer. Discover the wealth of resources available, like the US Kids Golf website and Operation 36, that can help parents connect with certified instructors who are not just skilled, but also resonate with their children on a personal level. Tune in for our candid take on this pivotal aspect of golf education, where the right match can spark a lifelong passion for the sport and even see children outplaying their parents on the course. So, whether you're a seasoned golfer or a parent with dreams of your child donning the green jacket, our discussion promises to entertain and enlighten. Grab your clubs, and let's hit the links together!

Welcome to this week's episode of PaddyTalks Golf Podcast and a chat with one of the top coaches in the country, a woman who has grown a highly successful junior coaching school and junior section at Lurgan Golf Club, PGA Professional and Top 50 US Kids Golf coach Zoe Allen. Whilst we learnt all about Zoe and her journey in golf back in episode 90, today we chat about how to grow a junior section in your golf club, what do you need to account for, how do you get volunteers and the right volunteers, what about parents from “non-golf” families and much more. For more, including the full back catalog of podcast episodes visit www.PaddyTalksGolf.comTo find out more about US Kids Golf including certification, visit https://www.uskidsgolf.com/Make sure you follow Zoe here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeallengolfFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeAllenGolfZoe Allen Golf School: https://www.zoeallengolf.com/The PaddyTalks Golf Podcast is Powered By ForeGolf Custom. For your tour level custom fitting experience visit www.foregolf.ie/booking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hear all about Megan's rise from an Irish junior golfer, to coming to the states on a D1 Women's Golf Scholarship to play at Missouri State. After graduating, Megan stayed in the states and earned her LPGA Class A Membership while interning  under the guidance of Golf Digest Top 50 instructor, Tim Mahoney. Megan is currently the Director of Instruction at Golf Skills Coaching, located at Orange County National (Winter Garden FL), and the First Tee of Central Florida. Megan has developed her own unique and effective teaching methods with the focus being goal based for every individual and has become a well-recognized and popular golf instructor on social media platforms like Instragram and TikTok gaining a lot of followers for her daily tips to provides. We're going to hear all about Megan's journey and discuss hot junior golf topics like should kids specialize, social media, girls golf, and more!  To learn more about Megan, visit her social media pages and website at www.meganjohnstongolf.com, @meganjohnstongolf.LPGA Southeast Treasurer 22-24LPGA Southeast Junior teacher of the year 2022US Kids Certified(US Kids Top 50 Honorable mention 2021)First Tee Certified (First Tee CFL Coach of the Year 2021)Director of Girls Golf Central FLPlayed internationally as a junior for Ireland and Northern Ireland All Conference Team 2013/2014/2105 Conference Champions 2012 Currently teaches US Kids world championship participants in multiple age groupsCurrently teaches Florida Senior Games Champions in multiple age groups (Dee Fry 2022 gold) 3 Students committed to play college golf PGA Top 8 Instagram golf tip pages to follow 2021Writer for womensgolf.comContent creator for Catoreforeladiesgolf.com Professional and AmbassadorReferral code: mjgolf for 10% discount Ponyback Hat AmbassadorReferral code: mjgolf for 10% discount"Contact Coach Mo@coachmogolfprowww.coachmogolfpro.commgesualdi@stjohnsgolf.comThe Golf Academy at St. Johns Located at St. Johns Golf & CC in St. Augustine/St. Johns, FL@thegolfacademy_st.johnswww.stjohnsgolf.com

Suffering is never any fun. We like to experience the good times, and often times begrudgingly endure the bad times. Sometimes we even blame and get angry at God because of hardships we endure in our lives.Our guest today has endured much suffering in his life, beginning as a child and into his adulthood and beyond. Os Hillman has learned that just as Joseph suffered greatly, and was ultimately given great blessings, so we must endure the sufferings that God allows us to go through. In doing so we will be enabled to best serve and glorify Him.In this episode, you'll learn:-God reveals the value of adversity, as a child and later in manhood…04:40-God is giving many the “Joseph Calling”…07:30-Managing tragedy in the family as a young child…10:12-The value of mentors; and of mentoring others…12:27-Os' prowess as a golfer in his youth, and why he gave it up…15:15-How to view adversity as a net positive in the grand scheme…21:11-Sometimes we need to be trusted with suffering before we can be entrusted with blessing…26:16-Embracing adversity close to home in a way that honors God…30:57-Using golf as a case study in overcoming adversity…35:00Resources mentioned:TodayGodIsFirst.comthejosephcalling.comtgifbookstore.comFree download: financial self assessment (not mentioned in the podcast, but we want to make sure you're aware of it): BiblicalWorker.comMeet and connect with our guest!Os Hillman owned and operated an ad agency from 1984-2001. During this time, he served clients such as American Express, Steinway Pianos, US Kids Golf, Peachtree Software, ADP Payroll Services, Parisian Department stores (now Belk), Thomas Nelson Publishers and many non-profit organizations. His company won many prestigious awards from the Direct Marketing Industry such including the Echo Award, Direct Marketing's highest achievement for excellence in direct marketing for specific ad campaigns.Os has been featured on CNBC, LA Times, NY Times and many Christian media. He has been a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com, Charisma, and Christian Post. He has spoken at Harvard University and was a visiting professor at Regent University for a season. Os is an editorial contributor to Christian Post, Crosswalk.com, Charisma online, Charisma Leader magazine, and iDisciple platforms.Today Os Hillman is president of Marketplace Leaders and Aslan Group Publishing, and is involved in several entrepreneur ventures related to publishing and internet marketing. He is author of 24 books, a speaker, consultant and recognized authority in the role that faith and ethics play in the marketplace. He authors a daily internet email newsletter entitled TGIF Today God Is First that is read daily in 104 countries.Os attended the University of South Carolina on a golf scholarship and was a golf professional for three years before going into business in 1980. Os attended Calvary Chapel Bible School. Os is married to Pamela and Os has one married daughter, Charis Brown. Pamela is founder and president of Life Changers Legacy, a ministry to men and women in prison. He and his wife live in Cumming, Georgia a suburb of Atlanta with their 5 dogs.Guest's social media handlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TGIFTodayGodIsFirst YouTube:

Todd Misemer from US Kids Golf joins the Underground to discuss the US Kids Golf Program and more. Learn how to get your own kid into our great game as Todd discusses how much fun Moms and Dads can have by involving them in US Kids.

If you are like me, you tend to scratch you head when having to think about what clubs and balls are best for your junior golfer. In this episode, Joshua Kinchen, Sr. Director of Product Development for US Kids Golf answers a lot of important questions you might have about clubs and golf balls.    Joshua has a long history in product research and development working eight years at Bridgestone golf before joining US Kids Golf. He understands junior golf products better than anyone and shares valuable information for us, to better understand how to best help our junior golfers.   Discussion: (2:30) What Joshua does at US Kids Golf (3:26) How far in advance US Kids plans new products (4:31) Long shafts, big driver heads (7:08) Issues with using clubs that are too heavy for too long (12:47) Metrics used to decide between Ultra Light or Tour Series Clubs (19:49) The important differences in golf balls (24:50) Why aren’t junior club heads bigger? (27:40) Maintained frequency in clubs (31:38) How junior golfers can train for speed (35:24) Find out more about Joshua and US Kids Golf Clubs (36:12) Final words of inspiration for raising golfers Show Links: US Kids Golf Products Follow US Kids Golf on Instagram Follow Joshua Kinchen

If you are wondering how to work with and coach children, junior golf, US Kids Golf has created quite the reputation for doing that, successfully! Jim Hardy is the Academy Director for Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines, NC. Jim, is a U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach, PGA Professional and father of four.  Jim understands children better than anyone in the junior golf world and adheres to their slogan "Make it fun enough, long enough, so they can't get enough." Jim is going to share why fun and games are so important for the development of children, how to coach them better and how to be an all-star junior golf parent.   Discussion: (3:01) The US Kids Golf Mission and Moto (4:14) Why games are so important for the development of children in golf (6:40) How much information can a child digest in a class? (9:13) Why experiences are so important (13:36) The best environment for juniors (20:26) Can juniors start playing on the course from day one? (22:12) Can a junior golfer play too much on the course? (24:01) How to make your junior more independent (33:29) Where to find more about Jim (34:32) Final words of inspiration for raising golfers Show Links: Follow Jim Hardy on Instagram Learn more about US Kids Golf at Longleaf Golf & Family Club

Jim catches up with Thomas Watkins former Ole Miss golfer and current Top 50 US Kids Golf Coach. We talk about his experiences of playing junior golf and following in his Dad's footstep at Ole Miss  to play college golf. Thomas gives us some of the drills and instructional tips he uses teaching junior golfers of all skill levels. #USKidsGolf #juniorgolf #OleMissgolf

(Season 1: Episode 2) Big time stuff here as the Grow the Grind Podcast goes LIVE from US Kids Golf Headquarters! Hosts Alli & Jason Wiertel touch base with John Kim, US Kids Senior Director of Marketing and Communication to discuss his perspective on successful player/parent caddie relationships and much more. John's career in the golf industry stretches over 25 years, he has spent time in the war room with Ryder Cup Captains, hosted and announced the US Kids Golf World Championship Parade of Nations, and is avid and successful amateur golfer. John offers a uniquely unbiased perspective on the junior golf landscape, and is an absolute wealth of knowledge. 

John Kim, now with US Kids Golf, has seen places and met people in golf you would not believe. John tells his story of how an obsession with the game lead to a long, incredible career in golf. He also shares a concept that could very well change the way golf is played across the globe. Follow John on Twitter @johnkim.

Welcome to the Women of Golf Show! Cindy & Ted start this week's show with a discussion on "The Five E's of Girls Golf" by Girls Golf (LPGA*USGA). Later in the broadcast we're joined by special guest: Kara Moore - LPGA Golf Instructor/Entrepreneur. More on Kara: Kara has been on the golf course since age 7. She grew up in Centreville, VA reciving lessons from long-time coach, Varden Dyer at The Northern Virginia Golf Academy (Clifton Ponds). She attended Westfield High School in Chantilly, VA. While attending Westfield, Kara was a four year varsity golfer. She was coached under The Golf Channel's PGA Professional, Erika Larkin as well as LPGA Teaching Professional and fellow US Kids Golf instructor, Tarah Miller. Kara founded the Division III women's golf program at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. She played on its inagural 2014-2015 team her senior year. Kara volunteered with the First Tee D.C. for two years and returned to Westfield High School as a golf coach after graduating from Marymount University in May 2015 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Tune in LIVE - Tuesdays 9:00 - 10:00AM EST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/womenofgolf The broadcast is also available as a Podcast at itunes.com & Stitcher.com

 Rob Strano Interview 121 Breaking Par  with Bernard Sheridan   Rob Strano is a Golf Channel Academy Lead Instructor and is based out of Destin, Florida. He combines his unique experiences as a player on professional golf tours and teacher into a training program for golfers at all levels of ability. Early in his professional career he was an instructor/Lead Instructor with the golf schools at Pine Needles Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Rob’s training program is an accumulation of experience as a teacher, student and player competing against the best players in the world.   Rob is a native of St. Louis, MO where he grew up at the same country club as 1968 Masters Champion Bob Goalby and touring professionals Jay and Jerry Haas and Frank Connor. At the age of six he began playing and was aided by a putting green his father installed in the backyard of their home. Previous to coming to Kelly Plantation he played professional golf for 15 years. Rob played tournaments on the three major US Tours (PGA, Nationwide, NGA/Hooters). As a player, he won 5 times with his last at the 1999 Energizer Invitational. Rob also earned his reputation as one of the "nicest players on tour" by donating a significant amount of his time to share his expertise at numerous charity events and outings. In 2003 Rob developed a national deaf youth instruction program and he currently travels the country teaching deaf children how to play golf in sign language at PGA/LPGA Tour events. He is the only professional in the world actively teaching out to the deaf kids in the United States. Along with the individual instruction that is available he also does corporate and charity clinics and outings during the year that are tailored to the needs of the client and the group. Rob coaches players of all levels including several Touring Professionals from the PGA Tour and mini-tours as well as the top boys and girls high school players in the panhandle of Florida. Rob was named an honorable mention Top 50 Youth Golf Instructor by US Kids Golf in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and his nationally recognized junior golf program produces numerous tournament winners throughout the year.  Rob is widely considered one of the top putting instructors in the country. His new putting training aid, Fuzion Dyn-A-line, has been an incredible success at helping players execute a better stroke and make more putts (www.FuzionPutting.com). Rob is part of the prestigious advisory board for FlightScope and a featured instruction writer for GolfWRX online.    The Strano Academy motto of "Leave Your Mark" is a saying that Rob's players hear at the end of every lesson and pertains to the amount of work necessary to be a top level player as well as a top level person. Rob has the goal of making golf easier to understand and play. To teach you as an individual; and give you a golf swing that fits your body build and helps you make as athletic a golf swing as possible. A lesson objective is to have an enjoyable experience and see improvement.    Contact Rob - http://www.stranogolf.com/Home.aspx

A true visionary sees a problem and finds a solution. That's exactly what Dan Van Horn did in 1996 when he founded U.S. Kids Golf.  His children wanted to learn to play golf and while they were enthusiastic at first, their interest quickly dropped. "They weren't having fun," Van Horn recalls. "At the time, I didn't realize that cutoffs and junior clubs were so heavy; they were not only hurting my kids' swings, but also their desire to play." That's when the former golf professional and engineer began developing Ultralight kids clubs, which were designed to be 25% lighter than adult and most junior clubs, and he formed the company, U.S. Kids Golf. Since then, parents and pros around the world have seen the incredible difference that lightweight and correctly fit clubs have made in their young player's swing and enthusiasm for the game. Today, the company is the world’s leading provider of equipment. Dan was kind enough to spend some time with us recently, but not specifically about U.S. Kids Golf products.  He shares with us what he and his company are doing to grow the game at the youth level through coaching, tournaments and their foundation.  Not only here in the United States, but around the world. Take a listen below on Soundcloud, on our website or on subscribe free on iTunes. You'll not only be impressed, but also proud that we have people like Dan taking an interest in our most important asset.  Our youth. https://soundcloud.com/worldwide-golf-shops/dan-van-horn-of-us-kids-golf-podcast-208 Tom Brassell: Welcome to GolfBetter at Worldwide Golf Shops. Episode 208. Hello, everyone. My name is Tom Brassell, thanks so much for joining us. If you're a first-time listener or a long-time subscriber, doesn't matter. We're just glad you joined us today. We have a special guest joining us. He's from up in Atlanta. Actually, he is on the course at Pinehurst today where they're hosting an event. He is the president and CEO of US Kids Golf, up in Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Dan Van Horn. Dan, thanks so much for joining us. It's great to have you. Dan Van Horn: Well, thank you, Tom. It's great to invited. Tom Brassell:  First off, give us just a brief history of your background, how you got started and how this all came about, because this is so, so important to the game. Dan Van Horn: Well, we started 20 years ago. I had kids, I wanted to bring kids a sport that I enjoyed the most playing, which is golf, after having played all the sports myself. I really wanted them to play and enjoy golf. That's how US Kids Golf got started. A dad who was trying to get his kids involved. Tom Brassell:  Wow. What you're doing is so, so important. I think when I was a kid, I'm not sure how old you are, but the way we started was, "Hey, here's dad's old clubs," or if you really got lucky, you got some cut down for you. I don't know if this is true or not, but I think there's a direct correlation with how good the young players are today with the equipment that they grew up with. Would that be far off? Dan Van Horn:  Well, clearly, the idea of providing kids something that would be proportionate to their size was not what we were doing at the time, 20 years ago, it's hard to believe. In other words, we weren't really looking at the length of the club or weight of the club to see if it could be improved to help the young player enjoy the game. As a dad, when it became apparent to me there was a need, then that was the beginning of US Kids Golf, to provide kids with the best equipment to help them learn the game and have fun with it. Tom Brassell: Well, many on the retail side, we know about what you do with regard to equipment, but there's so much more than that, Dan. I'm looking at your website and you have 4 tabs there. The very last one is products. Before that is coaching and lessons, learning to play in tournaments. Share with us a little about that and what's behind all that. Dan Van Horn:   Yeah, if you look at every sport,

“Dan Van Horn”

HS 018 - Kinder und Jugendgolf

Welcome to Golf Talk Live! Tonight on Coaches Corner: Trent Wearner - Rated as the #1 Teacher in Colorado by his peers and Golf Digest Magazine. He is now a Golf Channel Academy coach who will be seen on the The Golf Channel as well as regularly on Altitude Sports Television's Golf@Altitude. Author of "Golf Scrimmages". Todd Elliott -  Head Golf Professional at Hideaway Beach Club for 1 ½ years, TPI Golf Mechanic level 2 certified, Titleist Certified Fitter & staff member, Coutour Certified Fitter, Golf Writer for Coastal Breeze Newspaper in Marco Island. Later I interview: Leigh Taylor - PGA Master Professional at Golf Galaxy - Devon in Berwyn, PA. Here's a little about Leigh: Leigh Taylor is a PGA Master Golf Professional, the highest classification in the PGA. Instructor on the GOLF CHANNEL, 6 -series television special How Low Can You Go? Member of PGA President’s Council Growing the Game. Awarded PGA President's Honor Society. Awarded Middle Atlantic PGA Junior Golf Leader. Nominated Philadelphia PGA Teacher of the Year. 2005-2014,Top 50 Kids Teacher by US Kids Golf. Certified Club Fitter for: Ping, Titleist, Cobra, Callaway, TaylorMade, Nike, and Mizuno. Golf Digest Magazine Course Ranking Panelist Top 100 Courses in America. Golf Talk Live is also available for download on iTunes, and Stitcher.com. Join me Thursday at 6PM CST right here on GolfTalkLive.

During Mike's Course - Mike & Billy share a listener email from Austrailia via Facebook.com/Golftalkradio Mb.  There are two very important words of the U.S. Kids Golf mission to help kids have fun learning to play golf. The words are fun and play. Our research into the development of young golfers has shown that when golf is no longer fun for kids, they lose interest. According to studies from the Positive Coaching Alliance, parents and coaches tend to become too technical too early with our kids. The trouble with golf is that it’s highly technical. When kids 11 to 13 were surveyed and asked, “Why did you quit golf?” they were almost unanimous in their response: “It wasn’t fun anymore.” So how do we make it fun for kids—and keep it fun? As a baseball coach, I had some kids on my team who were striking out too much, and I noticed they weren’t keeping their eye on the ball. They’d come back to the dugout frustrated because they tried so hard and had not succeeded. But instead of being frustrated with them, I looked for something—anything—that they did to improve. If they fouled out, it was an improvement over missing the ball every time. If a batter just touches the ball, it’s an improvement. So I said, “Great! You watched the ball. You fouled it off.” Until that became a good thing. I watched the kids’ level of encouragement rise. As coaches and parents, you’re in the midst of something very important. You can encourage your kids every time you’re out there to play and to have fun and encourage them for the improvement they show—even when the shots don’t go where they want them to. Over the long term, what’s really going to make our kids great is their joy for the game and the fun they have playing it. That is why U.S. Kids Golf exists. It's why we make clubs that are easier to swing and why we encourage parents to caddie for their kids. We want learning the game to be a fun experience full of special moments for kids and memories of fun with their families, coaches and friends. Dustin Smith PGA , Class A Professional Jim Mclean Certified Instructor Instructor,The First Tee of Coachella Valley, CaliforniaMike & Billy also pay tribute to Seve Ballesteros. Visit the Golf Talk Radio sponsors and tell them GTRadio sent you they help make the show possible! Slickstix.com, Avila Beach Golf Resort, Blacklake Golf Resort, Shore Cliff Lodge and Dr. Tullius.  Visit Golftalkradio.com for the latest show information, contests, videos iPhone and Android Apps and more!