June 2006 - The Parklander Magazine

By Dr. Kevin ChristieSince it's the time of year when fathers everywhere are recognizedfor their love, dedication and support for their children, we’d like todedicate this article to those dads out there with children who playgolf. In many ways, golf brings out the best ina father-child relationship and helps develop alife-long bond—and it is a bond that hasimmeasurable satisfaction for both.For the child, golf instills many great traitsthat carry over from recreation into real life—traits like discipline, dedication, character andhumility, just to name a few. What better wayto learn these character builders than on a golfcourse with your best friend and biggest fan—your dad. As for Dad, being able to experienceyour child's love and growth in the game andthe excitement of sharing this wonderful sporttogether is priceless.In recent years, largely due to this special relationship that golfprovides, junior golf is an activity whose popularity is growing likecrazy—and the kids who are playing are better than ever. Golf hasnow become a kid’s sport, which has shown to be especially true onthe Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) with the likes ofMichelle Wie, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.We cannot forget about the phenomenal relationship Tiger Woodsand his father shared through golf. So, for all you fathers whoseyoungsters are showing an interest and developing as players, hereare a few things to keep in mind.First, you have to know when to let the reins go and get theminvolved with a golf coach. You’ll know it’s time when your childbecomes more skilled than your ability to coach him or her.Recognizing this point can be the most important thing you can doas a parent with a child in sports.Secondly, proper equipment analysis is essential to a child's golfperformance. If the clubs are too heavy, too light or have the incorrectGolfA Bond Between Father And ChildGolf can bringout the best ina father-childrelationshiploft/lie, the development of the child’s golf swing may be hinderedand injury may ensue. Have your child’s clubs checked every yearor so.Third, have your child play more than (s)hepractices, if possible. True, practice is vital to greatgolf, but youngsters lack golf course experience.Junior golfers need to learn how to score and thegolf course provides the experience necessary tobecome a creative scorer.Finally (and this is where my passion lies) getthem fit for golf—but not in the traditional senseof pumping iron and looking good. Golf fitness iscrucial to golf performance, and that holds truefor the junior golfer as well.Many parents are hesitant when it comes toplacing their children into a workout program butkeep in mind that this isn't bodybuilding. Golf fitness first starts witha physical screen that focuses on any deficiencies in flexibility, corestability, balance, posture and shoulder function. Based on thefindings, a program is implemented to lay the foundation necessaryfor the junior golfer to develop a highly effective and powerfulgolf swing.Most juniors need to work on core stability, flexibility andcoordination, which become the heart of the golf fitness program.Most parents understand the importance of the first three aspects ofjunior golf but fall short on realizing the importance of golf fitness fortheir young golfers.Best of all, golf fitness is something the father and child canenjoy together as they help to motivate each other. So, have a greatFather’s Day and enjoy all that the game can bring to you and yourchild.Dr. Kevin Christie is a specialist in chiropractic and sports medicine with apractice in Coral Springs, FL. For more information, e-mail him atchristie@theparklander.com.OUTDOOR ARTIFICIAL PLANTSRESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • CONDOMINIUMSSee our complete line of Outdoor Products:• Permanent or Modular Synthetic Putting Greens• Outdoor Pool Tables & TV’s• Synthetic Grass• Outdoor Artificial Palms & Plants • Patio WaterfallsGRASS•PALMS•FLOWERINGBUSHES•RUBBERMULCHwww.perma-scaping.comVISIT OUR SHOWROOM3500 N. Andrews Avenue • Pompano Beach(South of Sample Road)Call: 954.788.4376for a Free Consultation & Estimateswww.southfloridaputtinggreens.com46the PARKLANDER