This summer, kids are keeping in the swing of things with free golf lessons at the Ladysmith Golf Club.
Every Tuesday and Friday until July 22, kids age six to 14 can go out on to the greens and learn to play the ‘gentleman’s sport’ at the Davis Road facility from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
According to Don Ross, Ladysmith Golf Club board director, this will be the third year that the course has held free golf lessons for children.
“The obvious benefits are fresh air and exercise and getting them away from the computer and gameboys,” he said.
Kids like Melissa Mrus said it is an awesome experience.
“I’m not really the best, but I try,” she said. “It’s been fun, I’ve learned quite a lot. The most useful thing I’ve learned is to keep your eye on the ball.”
Ross has played golf for 50 years and helps run the lessons along with his fellow golf club members.
“I love kids and I love to see them learn to play, I taught my own daughter and son,” he said. “The best approach, I think, is to help them a little bit, but everybody’s got a different swing, so you got to let them swing with what they’re comfortable with.”
In addition to the basics of driving, pitching and putting, kids are introduced to some of the finer elements.
“We go through etiquette, that’s important to me, and sportsmanship is important too,” Ross said. “It’s not about the score, at their age it should be about fun.”
The Ladysmith Golf Club course is a nine-hole, par-3 course suitable for families, beginners and seniors. It is open year round thanks to the dedication of a board of volunteers. The annual free golf lessons are a way for the club to reach out to the community.
“We want to show the community that the golf club is interested in their youth,” Ross said. “It’s good to see them out here, and hopefully the payback for the club is the community sees that and comes help support the club.”