Why Golf? 
A unique reason is the game can be all inclusive, meaning the entire family can truly participate.  
In the standard 9 and 18 hole game, it takes a considerable amount of time to play. So there is great opportunity to socialize and communicate.
It’s a game that can be played for life and there is a sneaky benefit.
 There is a significant fitness variable attached.
What lured me to the game was the athletic challenge, but what kept me in the game is the family and community aspect of golf.
What is most enjoyable is how people act and react to the game, especially the new players. The reaction to solid club to ball contact with resulting flight is exhilarating, although elusive. Then the surprise of ‘off center’ and ‘off line’ attempts are frequently puzzling, even frustrating.
Over the last couple of years, I have noticed an odd but very appealing dynamic. Children are attracting and inviting grandparents into golf. 
Traditionally, it has been the grands leading the kids to golf. Recently, there is a trend that is completely uplifting to me. 
The grands may drive them to the course or facility, but young ones lure them into the game.
What’s  so beautiful is the parents tend to get squeezed into the game,  so grands and kids seem to inspire  participation in the middle. This process takes place over time and somehow, someone, usually mom or grand mom, brings light to the fact that 9 holes is approximately a 2-mile walk, so now there is a fitness benefit associated with the game. 
Playing or watching golf makes walking more fun.
It’s my opinion that ‘grandparent support’ is highly attractive to the youth players, too. 
So, I’ll leave this to the readers imagination as to why.
The Irmo-Chapin Winter Youth Golf Tour is underway and is a developmental golf  program where all the learning takes place on the course. 
Ages 7 to 18, from  brand new to college prep, are eligible to participate. 
Parents, family and friends are invited to participate as caddy’s, course guides, forecaddies, and fans. 
Dr. Morris Pickens has been our educational consultant and leader since 1996. His caddie coaching and training influence has been significant in the seeding numerous families in golf.
Next week, we will hear from the Henry family for they have a 17-year span on the ‘Winter Tour’ with their 4th child registered to play  this year.
In closing, B.J. Belville, assistant athletics director with the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission, is ushering in a brand new family golf program targeting 4-7 year olds. 
This golf program looks much like the sports of baseball and soccer, for parents are ‘on the playing field’ with their players helping them learn. 
This ‘field’ is actually at the park or at least 1 of them is so to find out more, visit https://www.lcrac.com/ , go to Athletics, then click at tab at bottom of description paragraph. Call the office at (803) 359-4048 for more information.