Is Your Child Reluctant To Disc Golf? Here's 3 Ways To Get Them On The Course

If you’re a parent then you know that trying to get your child to do anything is nearly impossible without the use of some sort of bribe. Whether they’re 6 and want candy as a reward for everything they do or they’re a bit older and treat video game time as a bargaining tool, the struggle is real.

Disc golfers with children often have a difficult time getting their children to come out to the course with them, let alone play an entire round. However, as we’ve seen time and time again, getting youth involved in the game is a crucial element to growing the sport as a whole. So how can you encourage your kids to take up disc golf without a negotiation?

Set A Good Example

This lesson may be lost on little ones, but if your children are at least of elementary school age, you can show them how incredible the disc golf community is in your local area. The next time you play a tournament, bring your child along to caddy for you and be sure to demonstrate how to compete with confidence and sportsman-like behavior.

Point out to them during the round how disc golf is a way for you to be competitive without being aggressive, a great lesson for pre-teen boys in particular, and highlight how many friendships have come from your involvement in the game.

Buy Them Some Gear

You don’t have to spend a fortune, but making sure your kids feel 100% included in disc golf is a key element to their desire to play. If you hand them a few of your old discs and expect them to carry them for all 18 holes while you wear a sweet bag full of new plastic, it might send a frustrating message.

In reality, any parent could purchase a handful of brand new base plastic discs and a basic bag for under $100. Imagine the surprise you’ll have in store when you suggest going disc golfing and you give your kids their very own disc golf stuff!

Invite The Whole Crew

If you’ve been gifted with an immense amount of patience, this option may be for you. Kids who don’t want to be pulled away from their usual activities to try something new may be more inclined to give it a go if their friends are involved. The vision of five 10-year-olds flinging discs every which way may be enough to create a sense of panic, but if it sounds more fun than frustrating, it may be worth suggesting.

Above all else, the best way to get your child to the disc golf course is to take it slowly and not force them into it. We can all think back to the activity that our parents made us do when we were kids and how much we hated it, so the last thing you want is to do the same thing with your own child. They have to want to play, but a little encouragement from you won’t hurt.

What are some of the ways you’ve been able to get your kids (or grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc) out to the course? Share with us in the comments below!