Kids getting their golf swings grooved this summer- for free

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
MacDill AFB, Fla --  "Get them while their young. That's the strategy for making good, or even great golfers," said Lou Harris, director of golf at MacDill's Bay Pines Golf Club. 

Starting this week, a special summer program for children began, offering free driving range practice Tuesdays and Thursday's between noon and 1 p.m. until Aug. 22. Mr. Harris is hoping kids gravitate to the activity, which has been limited to active duty, as his goal is to make the game more enjoyable by providing the skills needed to achieve success. 

"Our intention is to make it fun, and the way you do that is providing the help they need to improve," he said. "It is absolutely easier (teaching youngsters), because you are starting them off on the right path and they are not as set in their ways." 

J.J. Martin, son of Col. Lawrence Martin, is a good example of putty in Mr. Harris' hands.
"There it is; you have a common problem," Mr. Harris said, after watching young J.J. drive a ball down range. "You are transferring your weight (rearward)." 

"It's the most common mistake he sees at the range," said Mr. Harris. "After the swing, the body weight shifts back, sometimes so much the player loses balance and has to step back." 

The idea he said, is to keep the weight forward, following through with the swing and leaning into it. 

"Little things like that make a lot of difference," said Mr. Harris. J.J. nodded his head and teed up another ball.
Kids, particularly boys, tend to want to crush the ball on their drive, "trying to hit those houses over there," Mr. Harris said, laughing at the idea of a youngster who would have to best Tiger Woods' best ever to even come close to the housing units some 400 yards down range. 

"We focus on hitting it straight," he said. "When you are hitting it straight, you know you already are doing a lot of things right." 

Distance comes later. 

J.J. and Brother Jeff have played golf in the past, but say they want to get better at the game.
"That's the attitude to have," said Mr. Harris. "We have three instructors out here walking the line to help, and some of the players who come out don't want to hear anything from us, but others want to learn or call us over for some tips on improving." 

Special summer youth specials are Saturday's 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. between June 6 and Aug. 22 - Junior Golf Clinic for ages 8 through 17. The cost is $3 per child and includes the use of clubs. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 1 p.m., June 9 through Aug. 20, the free active duty golf clinic will be open to children. 

Tuesday through Friday, June 5 through Aug. 21, special open play rates for youths ages 8 to 17 will apply. A round including greens fees and a pull cart will be $5, with junior rental clubs provided free of charge if available. 

Children may play unescorted if they have a certificate showing completion of a junior golf camp or instruction. Youths with drivers licenses may rent a golf cart, though they will have to pay cart fees.