Those of us who have been playing golf for any length of time understand that is more than just a game. There's no denying that golf instills certain physical attributes and that it's good exercise but there's more to it than that, and most golfers that I know would wholeheartedly agree. That extra component that golf offers its players is a set of life skills that serve us daily--whether we know it or not. This holds true for new golfers as well as they begin to learn the game and appreciate its overall value not just on the course but in life in general.
But golf isn't like basketball or soccer or baseball when it comes to our younger players. Kids who want to play but don't have the resources to buy the needed equipment or mentors to teach them the game are pretty much left out. The truth is golf can be horribly expensive, even at the junior level.
So what can the average Joe do about this?
That depends on how much you want to do.
If you live a metro area, chances are there are mentoring programs already in place. A call or visit to one might lead you into taking personal, active action by becoming a mentor. If you don't have the time or feel as if you don't have the skills to teach others, perhaps you can do other things to help the program. More on this below.
If you live a rural area or an area that simply doesn't have a golf mentor program at all, well, consider creating your own mentoring program. You don't have to be a pro to teach a youngster the fundementals of the game. Schedule a chat with your course manager and discuss the idea with him or her and see if you can't work something out.
If you're not the mentoring type, consider donating to a program. Many golfers (at least the ones I know) have old clubs and bags sitting in their garages that they will never use again. Why let them gather dust and spider webs? Give them to a program of your choice and let someone else enjoy them. Even if you only have a few old clubs (meaning less than a full set, or even an old putter or driver)...donate it/them.
Frankly, I think it's something of a shame that kids who can't afford clubs or have no one to teach them this game are left out. It doesn't have to be that way, and you could be the one to change that in your community.
Think about it.
But what about reasons to become a mentor to somebody else? Whether it's teaching piano lessons one-on-one, or giving a short speech to a group of small business owners, the benefits of mentoring another person are enormous:
1. Mentoring keeps you knowledgeable about what's going on in the topic you're mentoring; 2. Mentoring keeps you sharp and at the top of your game (an edge very few other people have); 3. Mentoring keeps your name out there and in the open; you can build up a reputation for yourself as being an ?expert? in your particular field.
1. Becoming a mentor keeps you knowledgeable.
A commonly tossed around statistic is that whatever knowledge is out there in a field right now will be doubled within 7 years. While the truth in that statement can be debated, it opens up a good point - just because you think you know everything in your field doesn't mean that there isn't something new to learn!
When you become a mentor to somebody, you're forced to keep yourself up-to-date on the latest happenings. If they come to you with a tough career question and you're not sure of the answer, would you shrug off the question? Or would you do your best to research the question and give them a useful answer? The latter gives you a clear benefit and keeps new information flowing your way that you might have otherwise missed out on.
2. Becoming a mentor keeps you sharp.
An individual brand new to a career field may have vastly different viewpoints and information than somebody who has worked in that same field for 30+ years. Testing and research is being carried out in every single field - to have somebody who is a constant source of breaking new developments forces you on your toes. By keeping yourself up-to-date through somebody else, you constantly will be given given new information you can use and synthesize with your previous experiences and knowledge - an edge very few other people have.
3. Becoming a mentor keeps you out there.
People are social creatures, and they're always trying to make new, interesting connections with other people. By becoming a mentor to another person, you might come into contact with other folks that can help you out in your own endeavors that you previously might not have had contact with. As an extension to that, you may also come in contact with resources such as equipment you didn't have before. What does this translate into? Faster goal achievement for you! And it's not a one-sided thing, either - you'll be sharing your own contacts and resources with people you mentor, which can unlock new doors for them. It's totally a win-win situation.
Think for a moment about one potential person you can mentor. Give it some serious thought. Would it be worth it, for you and for them?
Both Robert Partain & Lee David are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Robert Partain has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interest, Golf Guide and Health. Robert Partain has been an avid golfer for over 40 years. He publishes a golf blog that is updated 4 times a week with tips, , and information.. Robert Partain's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.