Taking your kid to the golf course is a great way of sharing a sport that you love. The best way to teach kids golf is to avoid any complicated swing instruction and simply use some simple, kid-friendly cues. Start with some short putts on the green, keep it all very relaxed and celebrate the little things as they happen to build up their confidence and get them to enjoy the game.
You don't need to be a professional coach to help your child learn golf. This guide covers simple teaching cues that are easy to remember, a step by step approach which starts at the green and works backwards towards the tee box, some advice on where to find suitable practice areas for a beginner and how to get your child to want to play without putting any pressure on them.
If you're getting your child into the game for the first time then our guide on how to get kids into golf has loads more ideas to help your family get started.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Use simple visual cues rather than technical instructions: Don't go into any complex swing mechanics. Use something that the kid can easily picture, e.g. "brush the grass like a broom" or "freeze like a statue after your swing".
- Start on the green and work back towards the tee. Begin with some very short putts from about 2 feet (60cm) out so your child can get the thrill of getting the ball in the hole. Then progressively work back to chipping and tee shots.
- Create a relaxed practice environment. Help your child build their golf skills in a step by step fashion in a relaxed environment such as the living room carpet, the backyard, a public putting green or a short golf course during off-peak hours.
- Praise effort not results. Praise the effort and the desire to try rather than where the ball ends up. Aim to finish each session whilst your child is still having fun and wanting to play some more.
Simplifying the Swing with Intuitive Sensory Cues
Kids don't need a long winded explanation about grip pressure, wrist angles and all that sort of thing before they pick up a club. In fact, too much instruction can leave them confused.
When teaching kids golf, try comparing each movement to something they're already familiar with. Use a familiar image such as brushing the grass with a broom to make the new movement easier to grasp and remember.
The "Hot Dog in a Bun" Grip for Natural Hand Placement
Adult golfers frequently use an interlocking grip but that can be awkward or uncomfortable for small hands. The beginner is much better off with a simple ten finger grip which is easier to learn and doesn't require the child to force their fingers into an unnatural position.
Try the 'hot dog in a bun' trick. Get your child to put both hands on the club with the thumb of their lower hand resting along the handle (the hot dog). The upper hand then wraps around the grip (the bun).
Remind the child not to squeeze too tightly. Tell them to imagine they're holding a little bird, firmly enough that it won't fly away but gently enough that it's comfortable. This will keep their hands and wrists relaxed as they swing.
"Brush the Grass" for Effortless Ball Contact
When the kids are concentrating so much on hitting the ball they'll sometimes try to scoop it up into the air or swing down so hard that the club actually digs into the ground.
Instead have your child imagine their club is a broom and their job is just to brush the grass underneath the ball as the club moves through. Start with a few gentle practice swings to get them used to the feel of it and then gradually introduce the ball.
They don't need to lift the ball themselves. The angle of the clubface (the loft) will do that for them if they make good contact.
Once your child is comfortable with that movement you can go on to introduce the other basic shots. Our guide on how to play golf for kids takes you through the different parts of a golf hole from the first shot to the final putt.
"Freeze Like a Statue" to Build Natural Balance
Kids will often think that swinging harder will get the ball to go further. If they swing too hard though they may end up leaning back, spinning around or losing their balance after the shot.
Turn the finish into a game by asking your child to 'freeze like a statue' after every swing. When the ball is gone have them hold that finishing position for three seconds with their chest to the target and their back heel slightly off the ground.
You can count to three together whilst they're still. If they're wobbling or stepping backwards then simply encourage them to try a gentler swing next time. It's a simple habit which will help them to develop better balance and a smoother swing without them having to think about all the different body positions.
A Gentle Green-to-Tee Learning Progression
If you're looking at how to teach beginner golf to kids, you don't necessarily have to start them off with a driver and a full swing. Starting near the hole can be far more satisfying. The kids get to see the ball actually roll towards a clear target and they may well experience the thrill of completing a hole in their very first few attempts.
Starting on the Green for Instant Success
Start by putting a golf ball about 2 feet (60cm) from the hole. At that distance they have a good chance of making the putt on their first attempt or two. The sound of the ball dropping into the cup is going to be a very exciting thing for them, particularly when they're first getting to grips with the game.
Show your child a simple putting action by moving the putter back and forth in a pendulum fashion. Get them to keep their wrists very still and let their shoulders do the work. You don't need to hit it hard at all. A fairly gentle stroke is generally all that's required to get the ball rolling towards the hole.
Let them have a few successful putts before you move the ball a bit further away. Little wins like that can go a long way to getting the child wanting to have a go at the next one.
Chipping from the Fringe with Rolling Motion
Once your child is comfortable with the putting, simply move out to the slightly longer grass around the edge of the green (the fringe).
A chip shot is pretty much like rolling a bowling ball at a target really (the golf ball has to lift very slightly over the grass before it rolls towards the hole). Get your child to make a very small, gentle swing rather than attempting to hit the ball high into the air.
Let them try different amounts of force and see how far the ball rolls after it has hit the ground. That way they can start to get a feel for how their swing impacts the distance the ball will go.
Moving to the Fairway and Full Swings
When your kid starts to feel confident with their putting and chipping, it's time to start working on longer shots from a wider practice area. Start with a junior iron or hybrid and just get them making comfortable swings, not too concerned about distance at this stage.
As their co-ordination improves, introduce a junior driver and a tee at a hitting station. For many of the kids, seeing their first properly hit ball get up into the air is one of the most exciting bits of the whole golf learning process.
Keep the sessions short and fun. You could set up some simple objectives or turn it into a game of sorts rather than just having your child go through the same swing again and again.
For more ways of making practice fun, check out our golf games for kids which have some great activities to help the young golfer develop their game as they play.
Welcoming Practice Spots for Young Beginners
Choosing where to practice is just as important as choosing what to teach. A child who has only just picked up a club will find a busy driving range rather intimidating. When parents first go looking for how to teach a child to play golf they will probably imagine spending hours on a course. There's absolutely no need to start at a course though. A living room, a backyard or a quiet putting green can be quite as good for those initial lessons.
Low-Pressure Practice at Home and in the Backyard
You don't need to take your kid to a golf course every time they want to practice. On a wet day you can turn a soft carpet in the living room into a putting green. Just give them a foam ball and a plastic cup to use as a target and a child's putter and they can go ahead and roll the ball into the cup.
If you've got a backyard then a pop-up practice net is another good option. Set it up in a clear area (away from windows and other people) and use soft practice balls for extra safety. Your child can go at their own pace and do some gentle swings without being watched or rushed by other golfers.
Municipal Putting Greens and Interactive Ranges
Many municipal golf courses have practice putting greens (for the novice) where you can get used to playing on real grass. Some are free to use, others have access rules or a small charge so it's worth checking with the course in question before you go.
These greens are ideal for short practice sessions. Your child can have a few putts, watch the ball roll across the grass and take a break as and when they need to.
For a bit more fun you could go to a family oriented driving range or an interactive golf venue. Something with music, snacks and some simple target games can make golf feel more like a fun family thing than a proper lesson.
Quiet Twilight Outings on Short Courses
When your kid is ready to go on a proper golf course, look for the quieter tee times in the late afternoon or indeed any of the less busy times. With fewer groups about there'll be more room for you to get on with it at a reasonable pace.
Short courses and the more accessible layouts are obviously ideal. If the course permits it, have your child start from a forward tee or a spot some 50 yards (45-50m) from the hole. That way they can complete a hole without having to hit a number of long shots.
You don't have to finish every hole. If your child is getting tired or losing interest it's perfectly acceptable to finish early. Just make sure you're adhering to the course's pace of play and allow the faster groups to pass when they need to.
Before you go along to a course together, take a look at our guide to golf safety for kids which sets out some simple rules to help keep the young golfers safe around the swinging clubs, the moving carts and all the other hazards of the course.
Keeping Practice Patient, Positive, and Fun
One of the most important things to bear in mind when it comes to teaching kids golf is that progress won't be linear. One day your child may go out and hit a number of good shots and the next day they may be completely struggling to make contact. They may be absolutely buzzing to go and practice for 20 minutes one day and completely disinterested after just 5. That's all perfectly normal. What's important is that you help them to enjoy the learning process without them feeling any pressure to get it all right.
Praising Effort and Curiosity Over Results
Kids can get put off when they're constantly on the receiving end of criticism. Rather than pointing out every error, concentrate on the effort they're putting into each shot.
Look for the little things to praise. You could say "I love the way you've kept your balance!" or "That was a great effort!" when they take another swing after missing the ball. Often the fact that they're having such a good time is worth far more than any praise for a perfectly executed shot.
When kids feel supported rather than judged they're much more likely to experiment, to make mistakes and to keep on learning at their own pace.
Keeping Sessions Short and Leaving on a High Note
Kids will lose focus very quickly if they're doing the same thing over and over again for too long. Rather than plan a lengthy practice session, start off with a few simple things and see how your child responds.
A good time to finish is straight after your child has made a shot they're really proud of. Perhaps it's just a putt they've rolled in, or they've finally managed to hit the ball clean. Celebrate that and pack up while they're still in that happy state.
End practice on a positive note so that your child has something happy to take away. They may in fact be the ones asking you when you can play golf together again.
Prioritizing Family Connection Over Perfection
You don't necessarily have to turn every trip to the golf course into a lesson. Sometimes the best bits are just the bits in between the shots, the bits where you're walking across the fairway, talking about the day, just being out there together.
Watch your child's mood. If they're getting a bit weary or frustrated then it's perfectly acceptable to put the clubs away and do something else. A simple outdoor game, a walk or a snack would all be fine.
Your child may not remember how far that first golf ball they hit actually went years down the line. What they will remember is the fun they had with you, the little get together moments after a good shot and the sheer amount of enjoyment they got from those afternoons. Those are the experiences that can go on to build a genuine love of the game which will last a lifetime.
Conclusion
Learning how to teach kids golf is not simply about showing them how to hold a club and how to hit the ball. It's as much about the little things that happen on the course, the laughs over a bad putt, the shouts of delight when they finally get the ball in the hole. Keep it simple with some fun instructions, start with the short putts and just watch the little improvements they make. They don't need to have a perfect swing to have a great time at golf. They won't remember their scores in the long run, but they will remember having fun playing with you.
Before your next family golf outing, explore SwaddleAn's golf collection for cute, comfortable outfits for your little golfer.
