The Do's And Don'ts Of Bringing Your Kids Disc Golfing

Summertime means more free time for disc golf with your kids, nieces, or nephews, and if you have a youngster in the family who is as obsessed with the sport as you are, there’s a good chance you’ll be playing every moment you can. Depending on their age, this may be an easy task to accomplish or could require some extra planning beforehand.

Whether you’re going out for a casual round or you want to hit up a tournament or league, there are specific things to keep in mind when it comes to your kids. If they’re teens then these tips may not apply quite as much, but younger companions need a little bit of extra guidance. Let’s cover some of the do’s and don’ts of bringing your kids disc golfing!

Considerations For Very Young Children

Having a baby doesn’t mean disc golfing has to be put on hold for an extended period of time as plenty of people bring their infants to a casual round or even a league, depending on the tone of the group. In most cases, your friends and acquaintances will be glad to see you grow the sport from day one, but there are some aspects that you should consider:

• Do put small children in a stroller. Walking 18 holes can be tiring for some adults, so expecting a three-year-old to make it the whole way through may not be super realistic.
• Do bring plenty of snacks - let’s face it, not only will it satiate your child’s hunger but there’s nothing like a bag of goldfish to occupy them while you’re trying to make a putt.
• Don’t stay on the course if your child has a complete meltdown, even if the overall vibe of other players seems very relaxed. If your infant or toddler isn’t having it, it’s best to take a break and let others play without the added distraction.

Golfing With School-Aged Kids

There are plenty of kids out there between the ages of 5 and 10 who are just as into disc golf as their parents are, so bringing them along makes sense right? Just like with very small kids, this age group can’t necessarily be treated like adults on the course, so following these tips can help everyone to have a great time:

• Don’t force your child to play if he or she doesn’t want to. If they only want to throw for a few holes and then stop, that’s fine too. Forcing them to go through all 18 holes will only frustrate them and eventually you.
• Do consider the group you’re playing with and how they will feel about having kids along for the round. This is particularly important if you’re at a league, where people will come to the course with varying levels of seriousness.
• Do keep it fun and light - after all, you’re on the course to set an example of what good sportsmanship and camaraderie is like. Encourage your child every time he or she throws, and keep a cool head if you miss your own line.

With disc golf becoming more and more popular as the years go by, the general tone of the sport is one that’s quite kid-friendly. Just like you’d encourage youngsters to play other sports, consider bringing them out for a round and keep these tips in mind!