Nicholas Yee settles into his stance, gives his 7-iron a final wiggle and launches into his swing, sending the golf ball soaring into the distance. Nothing new, right? Except that he's just five.

He's one of almost 1,000 children aged between two and seven who have taken up golf at KinderGolf, which tags itself as the world's first and only pre-schooler golf specialist.

When asked about the physical stress a game like golf - which involves extreme rotation of the torso during a full swing - can place on such young bodies, KinderGolf's chief operating officer Yeong Wee Tan says it never allows the children to start swinging fully till they display enough strength to hold a club in the lofted pre-swing position.

In most cases, it is six months before they are allowed to launch into the full swing. Till then, they are permitted to only putt the ball or make playful half swings.

In fact, to ensure that the young bodies are ready for the rigours of golf, KinderGolf has teamed up with Tan Tock Seng Hospital's (TTSH) physiotherapy department to monitor the children's physical development and improve their strength and flexibility.

Haris Mohamed, golf specialist physiotherapist at TTSH, says the mechanics of golf differ for children.

While adults tend to use strength to power the ball further down the fairway, the club head speed achieved by children is much slower. Hence, the demands on the body are lower.

When working with the KinderGolf students, he focuses on balance and flexibility first and moves to strength building only when they are six years or older.

As for Nicholas, who attends St James Church Kindergarten, he loves his weekly 45-minute sessions with KinderGolf at Jurong Country Club. Asked to demonstrate the exercises for this column, which are mainly for young golfers, he did so with enthusiasm and a smile.

Missing teeth obviously don't matter to aspiring golfers.

KinderGolf can be contacted on 6441-3383 or via www.kindergolf.com. Prices start at $540 for a three-month course.

BALANCE THE BAG

What it works: Overall balance, neck and core region
How to do it: Stand with a small object (for example, a soft bag filled with beads) on your head. Using your outstretched arms to keep your balance, lift your right leg off the ground and keep the bag on your head for four seconds. Do two sets of 10 repetitions with each leg off the floor.

SIDE-TO-SIDE ROTATION

What it works: The core region (abdominal and lower back muscles)
How to do it: Sit firmly on a chair, holding a ball at chest height with arms outstretched. Keeping the lower body stable, twist from the torso and move the ball to the right, hold for four seconds, then turn to the left and hold for four seconds. Do two sets of eight repetitions for each side.

SHOULDER SEARCH

What it works: The shoulders
How to do it: Start with both hands by your side and lift your right arm across your body, parallel to the floor. Bring the left arm up and use it to pull your right arm closer to your torso. Hold the stretch for five to 10 seconds, return to start position and repeat. Do two sets of eight repetitions with each arm.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Mar 13, 2008.