What do you give a child whose parents are golfers?

The best gift for a child whose parents golf is something that lets the child share the game now, rather than equipment they will grow into later. A storybook does this, because a three-year-old can love golf long before they can swing a club.

Why equipment usually disappoints

Plastic clubs, foam balls and putting mats are the standard answer, and they are fine. They are also outgrown quickly, left at the course, and used alone. None of them gives a parent and a child something to do together at bedtime on a day nobody played.

What golfing parents actually respond to

Parents who play notice when a book gets the spirit of the game right. That means patience, the walk up the fairway, the bad hole you carry well, and the try-again. A book written so the adult enjoys reading it aloud will be read many times. A book written only for the child gets read once.

A title made for golf families

Once Upon a Golf Swing was built with the read-aloud adult in mind as well as the child. It follows Ace, a new golf ball who gets lost on his first swing and learns that courage and friendship matter more than the score. It carries an original theme song, Swing Away, and an audiobook edition for the car. Details are at fairwayfriendsadventures.com.