The golf industry continues to look for ways to attract more golfers to the sport. Over the years programs such as U.S. Kids Golf and the First Tee have been established to teach our youth the game of golf. Our golf industry leaders continue to emphasize the importance of getting kids involved in the game of golf as today’s kids are the lifeline to growing the game of golf throughout the world.

So what can be done to attact more and more kids to the game? As we all know, in order to maintain the interest of kids, they need to first and foremost have fun. Now, if taking them out to golf on a traditional par 72 golf course is to be considered fun, think again. For kids, golf needs to be “easy” as well as fun. For a kid, a par 3 hole at 120+ yards over the hazards just does not equate to fun and ease! A 6,679 yard course is way too much of a challenge for a kid to really expect them to get hooked on the game. So, what’s the alternative? How about this little par 3 gem of a course….Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf Course in Boyne City, Michigan.

The folks at Boyne Rapids have designed a “pint” size course that is perfect for our future golfers. This course is all of 701 yards long with all the traditional features of a regulation course except for the hole distances. With its well-maintained Blue Grass tees and fairways and Bent Grass greens, the longest hole is only 95 yards and shortest two are 12 yards each! Imagine, your little one being able to par a hole or two! Now, that would get them hooked on the game. Remember, kids want fun and ease as well as a sense of accomplishment.

Perhaps short par 3 courses populated all over the world is the answer to get our kids getting hooked on golf. Not only will it hook the kids but might very well hook the adults too…..imagine, playing 18 holes in an hour and a half versus the traditional four or four and a half…. sounds pretty enticing to me!

Posted by Marilyn Harris