Golf and Juniors

[caroline]

Can anybody suggest courses that would be suitable for an 11 year old to play (with his Dad!), also do all courses allow youngsters?

Caroline

[alex]

there is a nine hole course at orange county national which is for
beginners. the other thing to do is stay away from the early morning
tee times which is classed as peak times.

[athurstance]

I did quite a bit of research about juniors playing as my son (then aged 9) was a keen golfer. He is quite competent although he doesn't have an official handicap and that can be a problem playing as a guest at course in Europe.
Not so in the US. Most courses - even the Disney championship courses - will take a parent's word for a junior's competency. As long as they do actually demononstrate an ability to play golf and do not cause nuisance to other golfers they are very welcome to play.
Although they play 18 holes at home they tend to stick to 9 holes on holiday as it takes so long otherwise. Recently they have played at Polo Park East/Esprit which is a nice lakeside course and also Disney have Oak Trail which is a 9 hole walking course. Disney is much more expensive but it is a lovely setting. The 18 hole championship courses at Disney are spectacular but carts are compulsory so the cost does mount up. Also Highlands Reserve has a very 18 hole course.
The Polo Park East course would be ideal for beginners and intermediate golfers. I play there with my younger son - I am an OK golfer and younger son is only 7 so 9 holes is enough for him.
Florida is an excellent place to play golf as the weather is so lovely and their enlightened attitude to young golfers is very refreshing.

Angela

[caroline]

Thanks for thst Angela, Declan has played a reasonable amount of golf, so knows what is expected of him on a golf course and he's starting to get quite good (according to his father!!) so he's really keen to play when we're over in October, so I'll pass the tips on to "Dad" and let him decide where to take him (while I go shopping!!)

Caroline

[Lakul]

Hi Caroline

Both my boys aged 14 and 11 have played at Highlands Reserve - www.highlandsreserve-golf.com . They found that 18 holes was a bit too much, but you can always do just 9 holes. My 11 year old had more fun driving the cart<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Kerry