The Path
Don’t put them on the wrong calendar.
One kid wants 9s and a snack. One has practice tonight and a Sunday if you’re lucky. One started in the yard at four and already has a local tee time. Those are not the same year. Switch when the year changes.
9s and a snack
Play along
League. Cheap holes. High school if they want teammates. Nobody is keeping a ranking. That’s the point.
Practice tonight
Two sports
Basketball, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, tennis — whatever they actually play — owns the week. Golf gets the Sunday you can keep. Skip the local. That’s what regionals are for.
Bag since they could stand
Already scoring
Locals at 5 or 6. States and Under Armour by 7–10. You’re already in it. Don’t pretend this is still just Saturday with dad.
Play along
01
Spark
About 2–6
They think golf is a game you play with a parent, not a sport you are behind in.
See Spark →
02
Play along
About 6–11
Golf is a Saturday they still want. A league, $5 holes, 9 with you. Not a tour calendar.
See Play along →
03
Nines, then 18s
About 11–15
They can finish a round with friends. Public course, YOC ticket, or a family membership. Still no tour.
See Nines, then 18s →
04
The long game
About 15–18, then forever
High school if they want it. Friends. A number if they post one. The game is still theirs at 40.
See The long game →
14 rungs on the site. You only walk the ones on this map. The other kid in the group might be on the other one. That’s fine.