Why More Parents in Pullman & Moscow Are Choosing Golf for Their Kids This Summer

If you’re a parent in Pullman or Moscow, you’ve probably had the same thought at some point:

“What’s something my kid can do that’s active, builds confidence, and doesn’t feel overwhelming?”

Between busy schedules, screen time, and trying to find something your child actually enjoys, it’s not always easy to find the right fit.

Lately, more families in our area have been turning to golf. In fact, junior golf has been growing drastically across the U.S. in recent years, as more parents look for activities that balance skill-building, flexibility, and fun, according to the National Golf Foundation.

Why golf?

Unlike most sports, golf is sport your child can play clear to when they are grandmas and grandpas; and starting is easier then you might think! Many lifelong golfers don’t start on full courses or with perfect swings—they start young, just learning the basics in a relaxed environment.

Take Jordan Spieth, for example. He was introduced to golf as a kid and developed his skills over time through consistent, low-pressure practice. Like many junior golfers, his early experience wasn’t about competition—it was about learning, experimenting, and simply enjoying the game.

And while most children won’t go on to play with the pros on TV, the starting point often looks very similar!

We see it all the time with kids here in Pullman and Moscow… Most are complete beginners. Whether they are trying a sport for the first time or just looking for something different, almost all of them start the same way—figuring it out as they go, building small wins, and gaining confidence over time.

For most families, that comes down to a few key things:

• Building confidence in a low-pressure environment

• Developing coordination through repetition and movement

• Staying active and engaged outdoors

That’s where junior golf tends to stand out—and why more parents are starting to see it as a great option for their kids.

Confidence That Grows Naturally (and Social Skills That Follow)

Research shows that around 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13, often due to pressure, burnout, or lack of enjoyment, according to the Aspen Institute. Why? “It’s just not fun anymore.”

One of the biggest reasons parents are drawn to golf is how confidence naturally builds over time. When a kid is confident, a kid is having fun. 

When it comes to golf, the pressure to perform right away is minimized. Kids aren’t waiting to be subbed in, and they’re not being compared to teammates. They’re simply learning, improving, and seeing progress for themselves. 

And while golf is often seen as an individual sport, it’s surprisingly social.

Kids learn to:

• Take turns

• Encourage each other

• Celebrate small wins together

• Learn how to interact in a relaxed, low-pressure setting with peers and adults alike.

It’s not forced—it just happens naturally. And, it is a life skill that starts with building confidence.

Coordination You Can Actually See

A single golf swing might look simple—but there’s a lot happening in just a few seconds.

Kids are learning how to:

1. Position their body
2. Control their grip
3. Rotate through the swing
4. Track the ball
5. Adjust based on what just happened

All at once!!!

It’s a full-body movement that builds coordination, balance, and spatial awareness over time—skills that translate into other sports and everyday activities.

A Way to Stay Active (Without It Feeling Like a Chore for You)

Summer usually comes with the same question for parents:

“How do I keep my kids active without them getting bored or glued to a screen?”

Golf is a surprisingly good answer, in fact, it is one of the biggest reasons parents are drawn to it in the first place!

It gets kids:

✅ Outside for extended periods of time

✅ Walking, swinging, and moving consistently

✅ Engaged without feeling like they’re “working out”

>>> I think we can all agree these things are super important for any growing, energetic child.

And because golf isn’t as physically intense or structured as some sports, kids tend to stick with it longer—especially in the heat of summer.

It’s active, but still enjoyable. Structured, but still flexible.

Is Golf a Good Fit for Your Child?

If you’re unsure, here’s a simple way to think about it:

Golf might be a great fit if your child:

• Doesn’t love high-pressure team environments

• Enjoys individual activities or learning at their own pace

• Needs a confidence boost in something new

• Would benefit from more time outside and away from screens

And if they don’t love it right away—that’s okay too. It’s one of the easiest sports to try without a big upfront commitment.

What It Looks Like to Get Started Locally

For most families in Pullman and Moscow, the best first step isn’t jumping into a full program—it’s trying it in a relaxed environment.

That might look like:

• A short lesson

• A casual visit to hit a few balls

• A small group setting where they can ease into it

• Try out one of our Junior Programs : Golf Camp or 4 Person Jr. Clinics

Note: Spaces that are designed to be beginner-friendly—shorter courses, laid-back atmosphere, and no pressure to “know what you’re doing”—tend to make the biggest difference early on.