Power of 6: Child's Play!

Along with being able to watch the world's greatest players up close and personal, attending the U.S. Open is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your children. PGA Professional Adam C. Smith tells you how to get the most our of your trip to Congressional.

By Adam C. Smith, PGA Professional

1. Visit the practice putting green

Watch the world's greatest golfers practice the most important part of the game, PUTTING! Take a close look at how they grip the putter and how they address the ball. Listen to what they are talking about with their caddies. Check out what kind of putter they are using. See how they rehearse their pre-shot routine. Your child will learn a lot about how the PGA Tour pros get the ball in the hole. Putting is how tournaments are won.

2. Visit the driving range

Watch and listen to how awesome these Tour players really are, up close! Listen to how the shots sound when they hit the ball. Look at the way they grip it and rip it. See for yourself what clubs are in their bags. Hear the friendly banter that they share amongst one another.

3. Visit the gift shop

Buy your little one a piece of U.S. Open history. The Congressional Country Club golf shop is one of the most beautiful golf shops that you could ever visit. Remember that you are making memories, so give your child a gift to take home and always remember your day together.

4. Bring an umbrella, hat, and sun block, but not a chair!
You need to be prepared to shield yourselves from the sun or the possibility of rain. But don't plan on sitting around! Move around from place to place, and don't sit down until you need to go inside for a break.

5. When your child gets tired, go inside and rest.

Snack and re-hydrate, then get right back out there! There are many rest areas for you to enjoy. When your child feels fatigue, take a break and refuel your engines! But don't sit for too long! There's a lot of action out there that you do not want to miss.

6. Smile and enjoy one another, all day long!

Smile and take in the beauty of Congressional Country Club! Smiling is infectious and PGA Tour players play well when they see a child smiling at them! Can you think of anything better than being responsible for a PGA Tour Player's success thanks to you and your child's infectious grin?!

Here's wishing you a great U.S. Open visit to Congressional!

Adam C. Smith is the PGA Director of Instruction at Salisbury Country Club in Midlothian, Va. The 2008 Middle Atlantic Teacher of the Year, Smith can be reached by clicking here.