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Golf With Grandkids
Those who golf do so for life, and usually wish that they had been introduced to the sport sooner. Today though, thanks to talented young role models like Tiger Woods (who began playing at age 2!), children have been picking up the clubs in greater numbers than ever before. Because older generations enjoy spending time with younger ones in a sport suited to all ages, family golfers are now being accommodated at over 1300 courses within resort complexes in the U.S. alone.
Many Hyatt and Marriott resorts, among others, offer kids-play-free programs to entice the elders. John Swain at Links, the golf and lifestyle magazine, says, "With the advent of travel services on the Internet, golfing families can find more affordable packages that suit them." Before you decide to plan the next family reunion at Pebble Beach, though, consider taking the grandchildren to a nearby driving range for some practice.
Family Golf Centers (609/466-8191) operate over 100 practice facilities throughout the US and Canada, and offer a variety of golfing experiences to every age or skill level. Says Swain, "Family Golf Centers are so family-friendly they now combine golf and activities for the family like go-carts and mini golf. When kids are ready to actually play the game, most municipal golf courses are less than $35 per round, and kids' clubs can always be rented cheaply." Another resource for golf program information is the American Junior Golf Association (877/373-2542 or 770/868-4200).
After the kids get some practice time in and parents brush up on their fine form, everyone may be ready for a golfing family reunion. If so, there's one exciting destination that offers more than teeing off -- Scotland's celebrated Gleneagles Resort (44/1764-662231; 866/881-9525 toll-free USA or 800/389-3737 toll-free UK). An 830-acre estate located at Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland PH3 1NF in the countryside between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Gleneagles attracts serious golfers (one of the resort's many courses was designed by Jack Nicklaus) as well as those looking for a wellness spa or sporting activity fit for the Royals.
Older children and teens will be particularly interested in a tutorial in falconry, or perhaps an off-road driving lesson in which you tilt a Land Rover Defender 45° on its side without tipping over. Indoor or outdoor equestrian programs and skeet shooting round out a week of unusual fun at this classic and very classy resort. New for 2008 is an expanded kids playroom for ages 2 to 10 years, and a special for teens gameroom.
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