A large golf course or a quiet putting green can sometimes feel overwhelming for young children, especially when they have to repeat the same drills over and over. Instead of focusing only on technique, parents can make practice more enjoyable by introducing simple golf games for kids that turn learning into play.
From putting grid challenges and back yard chipping targets to the more relaxed family team formats, these 15 games are all about helping kids to develop their touch, their patience and their coordination whilst having a great time out in the fresh air. Before your next family golf day, why not check out SwaddleAn's golf baby clothes for some really comfortable outfits that are inspired by the game.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Learning through fun golf games: replace the old boring swing drills with fun targets such as buckets, coloured flags and target squares to get the kids to learn how to control the power of their shots in a natural way.
- Turning the putting green into a game board: keep the kids excited about putting with some fun scoring games such as Tic-Tac-Toe, the 21 Point Challenge and Golf Bowling.
- Practicing short shots safely at home: create a fun practice area in the backyard or living room using laundry baskets, hula hoops and some wooden domino blocks. Always use foam golf balls and keep the area clear of any obstructions.
- Family friendly golf games for everyone really! Try the team Scramble games, the family ball toss rules and the maximum stroke challenges to get the kids feeling more at ease when they're playing golf with their parents without being too fussed about their scores.
Putting Green Games for Touch and Focus
Putting is a fantastic way to introduce golf games to kids as they can concentrate on a very clear target without needing to have a great swing. It's one of the simplest golf games for kids to get into and is a great way to teach them how to control the speed and direction of the ball. It's also one of the easiest of the fun golf games for kids to play with friends and family.
1. Tic-Tac-Toe Putting Grid
Create a 9 square Tic-Tac-Toe grid on the putting green using 4 alignment sticks or some other safe markers. The squares can be around 1 metre in width (parents can of course make the grid larger if they're working with younger beginners). The kids then stand a comfortable 2-3 steps away and take turns at putting a ball at the grid.
A ball has to come to a complete stop within a square to claim that square. The first player to get three of their balls in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) is the winner. Rather than simply trying to hit the ball harder, the kids instinctively start to vary their putting speed so that the ball stops in the right square.
2. 21-Point Putting Challenge
If your child likes a bit of friendly competition then try this simple scoring game. Set up three target areas at varying distances and assign them values of 1, 3 and 5 points respectively.
Each player puts in one ball per turn and adds that to their score. The object is to get to exactly 21. If you go over 21 you just leave it where it is (i.e. your score stays the same).
This is one of the golf games you can play with kids to combine putting practice with some simple decision making. The kids learn to choose between easy targets and hard ones and they also get a better feel for how far their ball will roll.
3. Around the Clock from Short Distances
Place a few tees around the hole in the shape of a clock (about 1m from the cup). The child starts at one position and attempts the putt before moving clockwise to the next "hour".
Keep the distances short so that success occurs regularly. Younger beginners don't need to go right back to the start if they miss a putt, just let them have another go or move on to the next position. The repeated short putts will help the kids establish a good rhythm and will build their confidence around the hole.
4. Golf Bowling on the Green
Arrange some lightweight plastic bottles or toy bowling pins in a triangle a short way from the child. The player uses a putter to try and roll the ball straight so as to knock down as many pins as possible. As the target is vastly larger than a golf hole the beginner can achieve a great deal of success very quickly and learn the effect of the putter face on both starting direction and speed.
Safety and golf course etiquette: when playing at home use soft foam or felt balls. If you're playing on a golf course putting green then parents should pick a quiet spot and ensure their playing doesn't in any way disturb the other golfers.
Chipping and Driving Range Target Challenges
Once the kids are comfortable with the putting then they can move on to chipping and the longer shots. The actual golf games for kids in real life give every swing a real purpose and allow the young players to work on distance, direction and ball control without getting fed up.
5. Battleship Chipping with Buckets
Place three buckets or lightweight plastic tubs on the grass at near, medium and farther distances. The children take it in turns to try and chip the ball into each of the targets. Parents can of course award increasing point values as the buckets get further away.
For back yard play always use soft foam balls or the perforated plastic practice balls. Real golf balls should only be used in the appropriate practice area (i.e. where you have a space set up for golf shots). The satisfying 'thwack' of a ball landing in the bucket gives you instant feedback and makes the repetition of the action feel much more like a game.
6. Bocce Golf for Proximity Control
This is basically the concept of Bocce. You start by placing (or gently chipping) a brightly coloured ball onto the grass to act as the target ball. Each player then chips their own ball at it.
The ball which finishes closest to the target gets the point. The kids quickly learn that you don't necessarily have to hit the ball as far as possible. The challenge is all about control of both direction and distance. It's very good for developing natural touch around the green.
7. Driving Range Target Ladder
At the driving range pick a number of the existing flags or distance markers and in your mind arrange them as a target ladder from easiest to hardest. Give each child a limited number of balls and award points for any shot that hits or passes the target area.
For instance the nearest target is worth one point, the middle target three points and the outermost target five points. The children start to pay much more attention to how far each shot goes rather than just ball after ball without any real objective.
8. Color Flag Target Hunt
Choose three or four coloured flags or distance markers that are within your child's realistic hitting range.
Call out one target prior to each shot (e.g. "Try the red flag!"). Award a point if the ball comes to rest or finishes reasonably near that target.
The game gets the child to select a target prior to swinging which can make the practice much more focused without the added pressure of having to be technically perfect.
Range rules must always come first. The kids must stay in the hitting area, wait for the others to be in position and then follow any instructions from the staff. Parents can find out more about the key safety habits in our guide to golf safety for kids.
Backyard and Rainy Day Indoor Games
You don't need a golf course to get your kid into the game. Soft practice balls and a bit of imagination will see you and your family turn the back garden or living room into a fun golfing area. These kids golf games ideas are ideal for rainy days or when you only have a few minutes to get in some practice.
9. Laundry Basket Chipping
Place a laundry basket in an open area and line the inside with a soft towel. The kids stand a short way off and attempt to get the lightweight foam balls into the basket.
Indoors it's all about safety rather than scoring. Move all the furniture and any breakable objects out of the practice area. Only one child at a time is to be allowed to swing and all the others are to be kept behind the player. Only ultra-light foam balls are to be used indoors.
10. Domino Putting Run
Arrange dominoes or lightweight wooden blocks in a straight line on a rug or smooth floor. The child uses a putter to gently roll a soft ball into the first piece, trying to trigger a chain reaction.
This game gives young players a highly visible reason to control both line and speed. If the ball is too fast, it may scatter the pieces; if it is too slow, it may not start the sequence. The dramatic domino fall makes even a simple putt feel rewarding.
11. Living Room Hallway Croquet
Make small arches from cardboard and line them up along a clear hallway or open area. The children then use a putter and a soft ball to guide the ball through each of the 'gates'.
Parents can run the course straight for the beginner or add in a few gentle turns for the older kids. As the ball has to go through a very narrow opening the kids are going to be practising in a very natural way the control of the putter face and the ability to get the ball started on a line.
12. Hula Hoop Target Golf
Place two or three colourful hula hoops on the grass in the back yard at various distances. Using a wedge and soft practice balls the kids will attempt to get each shot in a hoop. Award one point for the closest hoop and more points for the further hoops if you wish to introduce a simple scoring system.
The big targets make early success a whole lot easier than trying to hit a small hole or bucket. For families looking for more fun practice gear there are also some great golf gifts for kids
Low-Pressure Family Games on the Course
Playing on a real golf course can be quite exciting but can also be a bit daunting for the novice. That's why relaxed golf games for kids can go such a long way to make family golf rounds more enjoyable. Rather than being preoccupied with scores or trying to get a good shot, the kids can just get on with the game, focus on team play, work on new skills and have a good old time in the sunshine.
13. The Family Team Scramble
In a family scramble everyone takes a tee shot. The family then selects the ball in the best position and each player then takes their next shot from that spot. You just keep going like that until the ball is in the hole.
As it's a shared result everyone contributes to, the kids don't have to be concerned about getting a high individual score. One good putt, one good chip, one good drive can help the whole family. It's all about the encouragement and the team spirit rather than the comparison.
14. The "One Free Throw" House Rule
Create one clearly labelled family house rule: once per hole a child may pick up the ball and gently toss it into an easier position. This is particularly useful if the ball has ended up in a bunker, thick rough or some other tricky spot.
Just make sure the kids understand this is a family rule rather than a golf rule. The object is simply to avoid the situation where one very bad lie becomes the entire hole and everyone gives up.
15. The 3-Club Challenge Walk
For older kids who already have some experience, let each player pick just three clubs for a number of short holes. They could pick a putter, one iron and a hybrid (or indeed any combination they're comfortable with).
As the club options are so limited the kids start to think creatively about how to deal with different distances and situations. The lighter set up also makes walking the course a lot easier as you don't have to carry a full golf bag. Families going in for their first real rounds can find a lot more guidance on how to play golf for kids
Conclusion
Playing golf games with the kids is a great way to get them to learn new skills whilst having fun outdoors with the family. Simple games such as Tic-Tac-Toe putting, some fun colouring in target challenges in the back garden and a good friendly team scramble are all ways of making golf practice feel more like play than a lesson. As the kids take on the little challenges they will of course improve their coordination, gain confidence and learn to enjoy the game at their own rate. The key thing is that it's a way of bringing the family together and creating some happy memories on the course. For more family golf inspiration check out SwaddleAn's golf collection
