A day at the driving range can very easily become a bit of a drag if your kid starts to lose interest after having hit a couple of dozen balls. The real key to effective golf practice for kids isn't so much in the number of balls you get them to hit, it's in keeping each session short, interesting and appropriate for their age.
Rather than just doing the same swing over and over again, mix in some putting games, some short chip challenges and some full swings at different targets. That simple variation keeps the kids interested, helps with coordination and allows them to develop their golfing skills in a natural way without it feeling like a chore.
In this guide you'll find a flexible practice routine, some fun drills to track your child's progress and some quick things you can do at home even on the busiest of days. If your child is just getting into golf our guide on how to get kids into golf has some useful tips on how to make their first golf experiences as enjoyable as possible.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Rotating practice stations (split your practice time into short, simple stations for putting, chipping and longer shots etc) keeps the kids interested and stops them getting bored or fatigued from doing the same movement over and over again for too long.
- Practicing with different clubs and targets (change clubs and targets after every few shots) to get the kids used to the variety of shots they'll be facing in a real round of golf.
- Track progress with Target Challenges. Use simple drills with a clear target (e.g. distance markers, towels on the grass). That way the kids can see how much they've improved from week to week.
- Short practice sessions at home (a few 10-15 minute sessions in the living room or backyard during the week) can be very useful in keeping the kids comfortable with their clubs. They're often easier to get the kids to do and are generally more enjoyable than a several hour session on the weekend.
Structuring a Dynamic and Engaging Practice Routine
A good golf practice session for kids should give the kids loads of opportunity to try new things. Rather than just repeating the same shot over and over again, they should be moving between putting, chipping and full swings. That variety is what keeps it interesting and is what enables the young golfer to develop a range of skills at their own rate.
Moving Away from Repetitive Block Hitting
Hitting dozens of balls with the same club may appear to be a good way to practice but young kids can get quite fatigued or bored very quickly. If they're rushing from shot to shot they'll soon stop looking at their target or at how their body is moving through the swing.
Golf on the course is quite different. You don't tend to hit the same shot twice from the same spot. You'll be changing clubs, altering your aim and thinking about where the ball needs to go. Introducing some of that variation into practice is a good thing as it helps the kids get used to making little decisions prior to each swing.
The Three-Station Circuit for Steady Focus
A fairly simple junior golf practice routine could be three short stations, each one focusing on a different aspect of the game. They get to move around, try different shots and develop their skills without being stuck on one thing for too long.
- Putting Station (10 minutes): Start on the putting green with some gentle short distance putts. Get your child to roll the ball towards a hole or a simple target to develop distance control and a feel for the putter.
- Chipping Station (10 minutes): Move to an area close to the green and practice chipping at the nearby targets. This will help the children to learn how to control the height and where the ball lands without having to hit it too hard.
- Full Swing Station (10–12 minutes): Finish off at the driving range where your child can have a go at the longer swings with a junior driver or hybrid. Give them plenty of room and get them to move in a smooth, balanced way rather than try to hit with power.
This is a 30 minute circuit (so it's not a rigid timetable at all). If your kid is getting a bit tired or losing interest at any point you can of course shorten a station or just take a quick break. For more on how to teach kids golf in general have a look at our guide.
Practicing Like on the Course with Variable Targets
Once your child is comfortable with the basics then try changing clubs and targets every few shots. That's a simple way of making practice feel a bit more like playing on the course.
Start with an iron at a nearby blue flag. Then have your kid take a wedge and aim at a closer target. Finally have them use a driver to hit the ball towards a wider landing area down the range.
Before each swing ask a simple question such as 'Where do you want this ball to go?' Give your child a few seconds to pick a target and get ready.
Changing it around like this makes fun golf practice for the kids less like a lesson and more like a little adventure. They get to learn the basics of club selection, aim and distance as well.
Goal-Oriented Practice Drills for Putting and Chipping
Children generally love a challenge when they can see what they're aiming at. Rather than asking them to hit ten perfect shots, set them a small target and let them see just how close they can get.
These are golf practice games for kids which use normal household items and very simple rules. They're easy to set up and your child can play them without any pressure to get it all spot on.
The Five-Ball Putting Ladder Challenge
The putting ladder is a simple game that helps your child learn how much force to use for different distances.
Place five golf balls in a line, starting about 3 feet from the hole. Space the remaining balls farther away at roughly 5, 7, 9, and 11 feet.
Ask your child to putt each ball toward the hole, trying to get it as close as possible. You can mark a small target area around the hole and count how many balls finish inside it.
As the distance increases, your child will naturally need to adjust the strength of each putt. The goal isn't to sink every ball, but to notice how a gentle tap feels different from a longer putt.
The Towel Landing Spot Challenge for Chipping
It's not always easy for a kid to get their head around where a chip shot should go. A little piece of towel on the grass makes it a lot clearer. Find a safe chipping spot and lay a towel flat out a short way in front of your child. Get them to chip the ball at the towel and then watch where it lands before it rolls across the green.
If the ball goes over the towel then try moving the towel a bit closer or suggesting a slightly softer swing. If it's landing short then encourage your child to try a bit more energy on the next one. After a couple of shots ask "Did you see where that one landed?" That way you're getting them to think about the shot and it's not turning into a lesson in technique.
It's one of those simple kids' golf practice drills which can teach you a lot without it feeling like hard work. The kids gradually learn to associate the spot where the ball lands with how far it will roll afterwards.
The 5-of-10 Target Challenge for Steady Progress
A small achievable goal can give your child something to aim for without turning practice into a competition.
Mark off a target area on the grass with a couple of tees or cones. Get your child to take 10 short shots, aiming to get each ball to stop within the target area.
Count the number of successful shots. If 5 out of 10 balls go in and stay in the target area that's a good starting point. Note that down and then see if your child can do better in the next session.
There's no need to go too high in difficulty. Going from three to four successful shots is a step up and one well worth celebrating.
You can also look at other golf games for kids to bring some variety to your practice. The whole aim is to keep the kids interested, to help them see their own progress and to make each session something they actually look forward to.
Driving Range Focus and Full-Swing Practice
The driving range gives the kids plenty of space to work on their longer shots and get used to a full swing. The problem with just hitting balls with no target though is that it can get rather dull rather quickly. A few simple challenges can go a long way to keep them engaged, help them develop a more fluid swing and make the most of their time at the range.
The Color Flag Ladder on the Range
Colourful flags make excellent targets for the young golfers as they're easy to see across the driving range.
Start by selecting two or three flags at various distances (all within your child's comfortable hitting range). Get your child to aim at the nearest flag first and concentrate on getting the ball in the right direction rather than trying to hit it as far as possible.
After a couple of attempts, move on to the next flag. There's no point in trying to hit the target perfectly before you've had a go at a longer shot. The idea is to provide your child with a new objective as they become more at ease.
This is the simple ladder drill which gets the child to develop the habit of having a clear target in mind before every swing rather than just hitting the balls.
Simple Pre-Shot Routines to Encourage Rhythm
A short routine prior to each shot will go a long way to getting your child ready without making golf any more complicated.
Teach them to stand behind the ball and look at their target. Have them take a relaxed breath, step into position and make a comfortable swing.
Keep it simple and do them in the same order each time. You could even turn them into a little mnemonic: "Look, breathe, step and swing".
With a bit of practice this can become a natural way of approaching each shot for your child. Just don't go too far in asking them to think about the various aspects of the swing as that can in fact make the swing feel more difficult than it should.
Balanced Finish Challenges for Controlled Swings
One fun way to help your child develop a smoother golf swing is to challenge them to hold their finishing position.
After hitting the ball ask your child to stay still for 2 or 3 seconds with their chest towards the target and their weight comfortably balanced. Make it into a game by saying "freeze like a statue!"
If they're out of balance then get them to try a slower, easier swing on the next shot. There's no point in correcting every movement or going into any complex swing mechanics.
By focusing on how they finish the shot kids can slowly develop better balance, greater body awareness and a more controlled swing. The aim is to get them to feel at ease with their movement rather than to get every shot to look perfect.
Conclusion
Making golf practice for the kids fun doesn't have to be complicated at all. You could have a few short practice stations set up, turn some of the basic shots into a target game or just spend 10 minutes putting together at home. That's all it takes really to get the kids to improve their game without it feeling like they're doing their homework. When they finally do hit the target or make a good putt, celebrate that with them. Those little successes add up over time and that's what builds confidence. The time you spend doing it together eventually becomes something that both of you look forward to.
Before your next family golf day, explore SwaddleAn's golf collection for cute, comfortable outfits for your little golfer.
