| Choosing the right equipment for your son or daughter | | | | To start off with, the MC-J110 series offers fantastic |
| can be expensive, but doesn't have to be especially | | | | value to the parents of young golfers who are just |
| when given a few helpful hints... | | | | starting out. They are manufactured in three |
| So your son or daughter has had a few golf lessons, | | | | colour-coded height ranges, for children up to 5 feet, |
| perhaps as part of a scheme taking golf into schools. | | | | and are available as individual clubs or starter sets, with |
| Fantastic, you think. It's a great game, it teaches | | | | a choice of woods and irons, a putter and bag. |
| youngsters all about good conduct and fair play, and | | | | The irons enjoy a thin profile and broad sole, lowering |
| gives them fresh air and exercise in abundance, away | | | | the centre of gravity to help get the ball in the air. Like |
| from their computer games. And then you need to | | | | the irons, the driver is made of a lightweight titanium |
| think about their equipment. However, before you go | | | | matrix, and there are hybrid and fairway wood options |
| out and blow your bucks on a junior set, it is best to | | | | as well. Packs start from just £59.99, with |
| make sure your child is genuinely keen, and you're not | | | | woods available for £14.99 and irons and putters |
| going to be flogging a couple of hundred pounds' worth | | | | selling at a recommended £9.99. |
| of kit on eBay within three months. | | | | The MC-J510 series - for the keen youngster |
| First things first - try SNAG | | | | This set is aimed at juniors who really want to |
| WSNAG, which stands for 'Starting New at Golf', is | | | | progress. Masters' research has established that it will |
| fantastic for children just getting into the game. | | | | also be the junior range of choice for many teaching |
| Available from the Masters Golf Company, SNAG | | | | pros, helping the learning process with consistent |
| provides a complete learning kit for kids. There are just | | | | results and so allaying many of the frustrations which |
| two clubs - a 42 inch loft 'Launcher', and a 'Roller' | | | | juniors experience. There are three height ranges |
| which acts as a putter. They may look like toys, but in | | | | within the series, all colour-coded, for children and |
| fact they are individually and correctly swing-weighted, | | | | young adults up to 5'6". |
| and are designed to get children hitting the ball | | | | The irons are manufactured from 17/8 stainless steel, |
| accurately and putting smoothly. They even include | | | | to tight loft, lie and weight tolerances, with progressive |
| colour coded pentagonal grips to ensure correct hand | | | | off-set which makes the long irons easier to hit. A |
| placement, and are the teaching equipment of choice | | | | broad sole provides a low centre of gravity, allowing |
| for many pros. Four sizes are available, and SNAG is | | | | more weight to go directly behind the ball for a solid |
| appropriate for children from age four to adult. | | | | strike and higher trajectory. The lightweight graphite |
| The soft, large balls which come with the clubs are in | | | | shafts reduce the overall weight of the club by 20% |
| fact golf ball weight but low compression, and have a | | | | for children under 5 feet, whilst taller youngsters are |
| maximum carry of around forty metres - so they | | | | provided with a low torque steel option, to help them |
| emulate the motion of hitting a golf ball, without the | | | | make the transition to an adult set. There are two |
| potential for damage. The ball is hit off a special 'launch | | | | putter choices - a traditional and a two-ball design. |
| pad' tee mat, which enables SNAG to be played | | | | The MC-J510 series comes either as a club pack or |
| almost anywhere, off any surface, with no danger of | | | | the clubs can be bought individually. In the packs, the |
| broken glass or injury. | | | | number of clubs included are designed to suit different |
| To make the game even more enjoyable, SNAG | | | | heights, and a starter pack costs from £132.49, |
| comes with a variety of accessories to help children | | | | whilst woods cost a recommended £27.49 and |
| hit the ball more accurately. There is a 'Flagsticky' | | | | irons £22.49. Putters start at £17.99. The |
| which acts as a pin, made adhesive with a Velcro-like | | | | MC-J710 driver - for the stars of the next generation. |
| lining; a similarly sticky 'Bullseye', for target practice with | | | | Finally, the new MC-J710 driver is for juniors who are |
| the Launcher, and a 'Rollerama', for putting practice. | | | | serious about their golf. It has a 350cc lightweight |
| There is also a selection of portable targets and a | | | | titanium head, allowing for a larger head size and |
| padded jacket, so children can play a version of tag, | | | | correspondingly, a lower centre of gravity to get the |
| hitting the balls at each other. Because they are soft, | | | | ball airborne, and a higher COR for more distance. It |
| there is no danger of injury, and the full kit includes a | | | | also features two moveable weights, so the junior |
| helmet for extra protection. | | | | golfer can adapt it to provide a draw, neutral or faded |
| A basic pack, consisting of a 'Launcher' and a 'Roller', | | | | ball flight. |
| two soft balls and a 'Launch Pad' has an RRP of | | | | Bags and Trolleys for Juniors |
| £59.99 and the other elements can be bought | | | | It's also possible to buy bags and even trolleys, |
| separately. | | | | specifically designed for junior golfers. Masters |
| Moving On Up | | | | MB-JS110 stand bag has a 6.5 inch top with a six-way |
| Once your child is really showing some determination | | | | divider, and is available in small, medium and large, for |
| to continue with golf, then it is time to consider 'proper' | | | | youngsters of different ages. The weight has been |
| clubs. Once again, the Masters Golf Company are | | | | kept as low as possible, to make it easier for juniors to |
| experts in this field, and have several sets for juniors, | | | | handle - the large bag weighs only 1.4kg, with the |
| dependent on their height, ability and experience. | | | | medium and small versions correspondingly less. And |
| Their new ranges include several features thoughtfully | | | | there is a trolley bag to match, along with light, small, |
| designed to help juniors develop their skills. Junior | | | | easy-to assemble trolleys for juniors such as the |
| golfers tend to use a greater variety of clubs within | | | | MC-J110, which has three bag supports to fit any size |
| their set as they get taller and their game develops, so | | | | of bag. These junior bags and trolleys will set you back |
| the ranges reflect this need for flexibility. The sets for | | | | between £25 and £30, on average. |
| the youngest players carry a wood, three irons and a | | | | Whichever options you choose, from the absolute |
| putter, going up to a full set with a fairway wood and | | | | beginners' sets to the more refined clubs aimed at the |
| hybrid for taller juniors. In fact, Masters has deliberately | | | | serious junior golfer, the most important thing is to |
| assessed the youngsters' needs in terms of height, | | | | match your purchases to the needs of your child, and |
| rather than age, recognising that a tall four year old | | | | adjust your budget accordingly. There's no point |
| might have the same requirement as a shorter six | | | | spending hundreds of pounds when he or she is just |
| year old. There are further helpful features, too, such | | | | starting out - but a few years down the line, if your |
| as short shot and long shot markers on the grips. | | | | child is winning tournaments and is still passionate about |
| The MC-J110 series - for the enthusiastic beginners | | | | golf, then a higher investment will pay dividends. |