Golf safety for the young guns starts with a few simple things: stay outside the swing zone, cover your head and face when someone yells 'Fore!', follow the golf cart rules and get into solid cover when a storm is coming. Clear boundaries really do help the whole family to have a relaxed, stress free round.
The course provides lots of fresh air and open space for family time but with the fast moving balls and swinging clubs there are real risks to young kids so parents should definitely introduce some basic safety rules before the first round. If you're new to golf then check out our guide on how to get kids into golf.
This article is about where the kids should be standing during a swing, what to do when you hear "Fore!", how to be safe around the golf carts and how to prepare for the changing weather and other outdoor conditions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Keep a safe distance: Teach the kids to stand outside the area of the golf club's swing and to wait in a safe spot until the other player has finished their shot. Tell them absolutely not to walk in front of someone who is about to hit the ball.
- What to do when someone yells "Fore"? Get the kids to protect their heads straight away. If they can they should take cover behind something, otherwise just crouch down and cover their head and face with both arms. Tell them not to look up and not to try and track down the ball.
- Golf cart safety rules: ensure children are sitting correctly in a designated passenger seat and that their hands, arms and legs are all inside the cart. For children under six, parents should consider walking or otherwise getting around (depending on course rules).
- Weather safety and staying hydrated: take your child to a solid clubhouse or some other safe building as soon as you hear thunder or see lightning. Golf carts offer no protection from lightning. Also make sure your kids are drinking water and taking their breaks in the shade to stay cool and comfortable.
Swing Safety and Protection Against Stray Balls
Golf clubs move so quickly that a ball can go from one part of the course to another before anyone even realises it's happened. Teaching golf safety to children starts with teaching them where to stand, when to move and how to protect themselves if a ball does come their way. It's all about instilling those simple habits so that the young golfer can go out on the course with a bit more confidence and a reduced risk of injury.
Staying Outside the Active Swing Area
One of the first lessons in golf swing safety for kids is to learn to keep a safe distance from anyone who is holding a club. The youngster may not appreciate just how far a club can go during a swing so it's vital that you demonstrate to them exactly where they should stand.
Before anyone takes a shot ask your child to stand well away from the golfer and well outside the entire swinging area. They are to stay there until the player has completed the swing and the club is down.
Remind your child absolutely not to walk in front of someone who is about to hit the ball or who is crossing a hitting area without first checking. If they're not quite sure where to position themselves, tell them to ask you before they move any closer.
Reacting Quickly When Someone Shouts Fore
When you shout "Fore!" on a golf course it means the ball is going to be coming towards other players. The kid's first instinct would be to look up to find the ball, which of course puts their face in the line of fire.
Instead teach your child to react immediately. If there's a safe place nearby to take cover then they should do so. If they're in an open area they should crouch down, tuck their chin and cover their head and face with both arms until the danger has passed.
You can practice this response at home by just saying "Fore!" and having the child immediately get into their protective position. Making it into a game in itself helps them to learn what to do without being all flustered.
For more beginner-friendly tips beyond safety, our guide on how to play golf for kids covers the basics of how kids can learn and have a go at their first round.
Practice Range and Putting Green Awareness
At the driving range the kids are only to swing from their own hitting mat/practice station. Have to keep them in their own area and not running from bay to bay where other people may be swinging.
If a ball rolls onto the grass in front of the hitting area it must be left there. Your child must never go onto the range to pick up a ball, even if other golfers appear to have stopped playing.
On the putting green the pace is of course much slower, but the children still have to be attentive. Get them to walk slowly, look at where the other players are standing and leave plenty of space so that everyone has room to putt without anyone bumping into each other.
Course Navigation and Environmental Precautions
Good golf course safety for childre is about much more than just not swinging clubs. Golf carts, ponds, uneven ground and the weather can all present their own hazards. Prior to starting a round you need to have a chat with your child about staying close, adhering to the course signs and asking an adult before you go anywhere you're not quite familiar with.
Golf Cart Rules for Young Passengers
When in a golf cart the kids should be sitting properly in a passenger seat. You must never carry more passengers than there are seats in the cart regardless of how short the ride.
Remind the child to keep their hands and feet inside the cart, to hold on to the handrail and to stay seated until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. They are not to attempt to get in or out of the cart whilst it is in motion.
For under 6s walking or using another course approved mode of transport may be the safer option (depending on their age and the course rules). Parents must also switch off the cart and remove the key whenever they leave the vehicle so that little hands can't just happen to start it.
Staying Away from Water Hazards and Overgrown Rough
Ponds and water features may appear quite peaceful but the edges can be very steep, very muddy and very slippery. Never allow your child to go near the water alone and never allow them to lean over the bank to retrieve a golf ball. If the ball looks within reach it's better to leave it.
The same applies to the thick, rough and overgrown areas. Tall grass and undergrowth can conceal sharp plants, insects and uneven ground. If the ball ends up in an unsafe place don't encourage the child to go and look for it. In a fairly relaxed family game you'd just have an agreed practice rule to simply play on from a safer area.
Weather Awareness and Lightning Precautions
Golf courses have vast open areas so thunderstorms can turn very dangerous very quickly. Children must be made aware that a golf cart with an open top (open sided roof) does not in any way offer protection from lightning.
If you hear thunder or see a storm coming, stop playing straight away. Get your child into a substantial enclosed building (the clubhouse for instance) or into a fully enclosed hard top car with the windows shut. Don't wait under a tree and don't use a golf cart as shelter.
Parents should also check the weather forecast prior to heading out and heed the course's storm warnings. If you're asking yourself whether your child is ready for some outdoor golf then our guide on what age can kids start golf will tell you how to get them started at various stages of development.
Outdoor Safety and Parent Preparation
A family golf outing can be a lot more walking and sun exposure than young kids are used to. A fairly short round can leave them feeling quite tired, thirsty and uncomfortable. A few simple golf safety tips for parents can go a long way to making it a more pleasant experience (pack plenty of water, for example, and know when your child needs a break).
Regular Water and Shade Breaks
Kids can get tired and dehydrated if they're out in the sun for long periods, particularly on hot days. Be sure to have plenty of drinking water available and get them to take small sips regularly throughout the activity rather than wait until they're thirsty.
Watch how your child is getting on as the game progresses. If they're suddenly hot, exhausted or uncomfortable in any way then find a shady spot where they can sit and cool off. A short break is always preferable to carrying on and finishing another hole.
Sun Protection and Breathable Clothing
Sun protection matters on a course with little shade. Put a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on any skin your child’s clothes won’t cover before you leave home, and top it up on schedule, particularly once they’ve been running around and sweating. Add a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off their face, ears, and neck.
Choose lightweight, breathable golf clothing that allows your child to move around freely. Moist-wicking fabrics are particularly useful on hot days as they pull the sweat away from the skin and make being out and about far more comfortable.
A Simple Pre Round Safety Reminder
Before your kid picks up a club, take a minute to go over a few of the basic safety rules. They must only take out their club when it's their turn, they must wait in a safe spot whilst others are swinging and if someone yells "Fore!" they must immediately cover their head and face.
Keep it short and friendly rather than turning it into a long list of warnings. You might ask your child what they would do if someone was swinging a club nearby or if they heard a warning shout. Those little questions go a long way to instilling good habits without making golf feel at all stressful or overly strict.
Conclusion
A family golf outing is a lot more relaxed when your kid knows how to stay safe. Teaching golf safety to kids doesn't have to be all that difficult. Start with the basics really. Show them where they're meant to be standing when someone's about to swing, what to do if a ball comes their way and when it's time to go and rest in the shade. The more you do it together the more natural it will become for them. Eventually they'll be thinking less about the rules and more about having a good time with you.
Getting ready for your next day on the course? Check out SwaddleAn's golf baby clothes, comfortable outfits for your little golfer to wear on every family outing.
