Summer Golf Clinic Teaches Putting, Etiquette to Youngsters

Carl Scott just wrapped up his second week of teaching a private, summer golf clinic for children at the .

"There’s not a lot of professional golf instructors that want to teach kids,” he said.

But, luckily for the area's youth, Scott apparently doesn't mind.

A former mortician, Scott has been playing golf for 50 years. He also has 30 years of experience teaching golf to children, 20 years in Ohio and ten years in Tampa. He, alongside assistant Brandon Caddy, teach the young golfers at Pebble Creek chipping, full swings, putting and then play on the actual course.

Sadie Santiago, 7, has enjoyed her first week of playing golf.

“I’ve been playing for four days,” Sadie sad. “They make me learn a lot about golf; I get better and better each day.”

Santiago was the only girl in the camp.

“A lot of girls don’t like getting sweaty,” she added. “I play softball a lot too, though.”

Meanwhile, Austin Moore, 14, is trying to improve his game.

“I’ve played since I was 6, on and off, but now I’ve been getting more serious and practicing harder, trying to improve,” Austin said.

Yet, golf is not the only thing Scott hopes they learn on the course.

“Golf teaches etiquette and manners,” he said. “I tell all the kids ‘Who paid for your golf lesson?’ You have to do something nice for them today.’ Let’s get family involved.”

The summer golf clinics, available to those ages 7-15, are held in four-day clusters. Two clinics had been scheduled each month for June, July and August. The clinic costs $139 per camper.

Scott is currently attempting to receive a grant from the government to teach golf to students with special needs. A family member inspired him to do so.

“My wife’s son has Down syndrome and I started teaching him 12 years ago and he plays golf,” he said.

Scott hopes to teach golf camp year round and to encourage families to come out together and play even during the school year.

“I’m just going to keep going until they stop showing up,” he said. “These golf clubs get put into a closet and never come out. I just want to do this year round.”

Additional Information

Another golf clinic will be held Aug. 15-18. Time: 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $139 per camper. Limited to the first 15 campers. For more information, call (813) 973-3870 or visit the website.