Just over a decade ago, since Tiger Woods burst onto the professional golfing scene, interest in the sport has been soaring. More often than not, people who don’t ordinarily follow the PGA Tour will tune in to watch Tiger play — and win. His story is a great one, and almost everyone knows that Tiger got his start at a very early age, with his father teaching him how to putt when he was just two years old. As a result, other parents who dream of raising their own future superstars are buying junior golf clubs in record numbers, and there are now more kids in the sport than ever before.

The only place I ever saw junior golf clubs was at the various miniature golfing venues around town, when I was a youngster. That was about as close to actual golfing as we ever got, since back then all the kids in my town played baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. But things in the youth sports world have definitely changed since then, and now many private and public courses are making efforts to accommodate the influx of younger golfers by offering things like reduced membership fees, special instructional classes, discount practice days, and even rentals of junior golf clubs so you don’t have to have your own set in order to play.

I’m considering taking them to the links with me the next time I go, as my sons are getting old enough to participate in organized sports. I wouldn’t mind if they took to golfing, mostly because it’s a heck of a lot safer than the other sports I listed above! At least I won’t have to worry about them getting beaned in the face by a fastball or sustaining a concussion thanks to a crushing hit from a middle linebacker. Instead, they’d be getting great exercise, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, and hopefully developing an appreciation for the game. If they do like it, I’ll buy them each a set of junior golf clubs, sign them up for lessons, and nurture their interest for as long as possible.

Actually, it would probably be smarter to start off by buying used equipment first, just in case their enthusiasm for the game diminishes after a few months. I’ve already done some checking and saw that I can buy used junior golf clubs online for about half the price of a brand new set, so it would make sense to do things that way. I just have to make sure I take proper measurements and order the right sizes if I go that route.

Anyway, if you’ve got budding young golfers in your household, then now’s a great time to get them started in the sport. Buy them a set of junior golf clubs; take them out to the driving range or the links, and practice, practice, practice!