how to teach a kid to golf

How to Teach Your Kids to Play Golf

• Start Slow. Like anything else, it is best to teach your kids how to play golf in small doses. ...
• Get Them the Right Equipment. Adult clubs that have been cut down to kid length are not a great way to get started in the game. ...
• Be Consistent. ...
• Get Professional Help. ...
• Make It Fun. ...
• Pick Quiet Times. ...
• Golf is for Everybody. ...

Full Answer

What age should you start your kids with golf?

Jul 29, 2011 · No need to worry, I'm here to help. First Things First. My first bit of advice is simple; no matter what age your child is when they get started, make sure that having fun is …

How to teach your kids how to play golf?

Jun 22, 2010 · Start your junior playing golf with PGA Teaching Professional, Terry Crick, with 23 years of experiencing teaching thousands of kids. Amateurs teach amateur...

How to get kids interested in golf?

What do kids learn from golf?

What age should a child start golf lessons?

How do I teach my 5 year old to play golf?

How do I start my kid in golf?

How do you teach a kid to swing a golf club?

How do I teach my 7 year old to play golf?

How do I teach my 6 year old to play golf?

Can a 3 year old play golf?

How far should a 6 year old hit a golf ball?

How do you teach a girl to play golf?

How do you teach golf?

How to teach kids how to golf?

First and foremost, it has to be fun or you will lose their interest. Incorporate games into their practice . Do not use technical terms--kids respond better to visual cues and words they understand . Be sure not to overload a kid with too much information ...

How to grip a child's golf club?

Allow the child to grip the club however is naturally comfortable (usually a 10-finger/baseball grip), but make sure the hand position is correct. Also make sure of the setup: Feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent are the keys. These are the fundamentals you do not want to ignore.

What to do if your child misses the ball?

If they miss the ball, have them take half swings to promote contact and confidence. Some visual cues to help them: making a big "U" with the clubhead or sweeping the ball off of the tee. Tee up all the balls during the first couple of lessons. The only thing to watch as far as correcting form is movement of the feet.

How to encourage kids to make putts?

Make the kids' goal to hit a putt inside these circles; assign point values for each circle and a point value for making the putt. This is encouraging, because they are not likely to make too many putts, but they will be rewarded for coming close.

Do kids step all around while swinging?

The only thing to watch as far as correcting form is movement of the feet. Kids tend to step all around while swinging. Not only does it make hitting the ball much more difficult, it's a terrible habit. Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match.

Is it good to teach kids to putt?

Teaching kids how to putt is a good place to start. Besides the fact that putting is the most crucial aspect to scoring well in golf, it is also the simplest stroke.

What is the most important thing about golf swing planes?

It’s probably the most difficult of the four to explain, but the most important. A correct golf swing plane can often overcome any shortcomings in a poor stance, posture, or grip. It is the basic fundamental building block of a good golf swing.

What is the stance of a golf swing?

The Stance. Without a proper golf stance, it is extremely difficult to perform a fundamental sound golf swing that will repeat for years to come. The stance forms the basis of every solid golf swing and is the first thing to cover when teaching kids to play golf. Make sure the child can maintain a proper golf stance.

What is a good golf posture?

A great golf posture puts a young golfer in the best possible position to craft a good golf swing. When a young child masters correct posture, this skill will improve their game for years to come.

Why is it important to teach kids proper posture?

It’s important that kids are taught the correct posture because this will ensure they look after their growing bodies as they progress in life.

How many grips are there for golf?

However, if your child can at least settle on one of the more popular grips and feel comfortable with it, this will stand them in good stead. There are three basic golf grips, the overlapping, the interlocking, and the baseball grip.

Can a child play golf?

Young children are thirsty for knowledge, so if you can provide them with the correct basic foundation of a good golf swing, there is an excellent chance you will set them up to play great golf for years to come.

Is golf easy to learn?

It's simple and easy to learn and will develop the right fundamentals that need in the early stages of golf.

Why is golf important for kids?

Golf teaches kids to be responsible, to work hard, to play fair, and to reach for their goals. There is a lot to like about what golf can do for your child, and most kids take to the game naturally when given a chance. Remember, it is important to keep golf in perspective for both you and your child. It is a game, and it should be treated as such.

Why are golf camps important?

Camps are great because they often give children the opportunity to play and interact with professionals in a group rather than feeling the pressure of a one-on-one situation . Another benefit of golf camps is that it just may help your child make new friends who share their interest in the sport.

Why is it important to make time for your child to play games?

Even if your child never excels at the game making time for consistent outings will be excellent for their mental and physical health and also has the potential to create memorable family bonding opportunities.

Is golf a game for kids?

Remember, it is important to keep golf in perspective for both you and your child. It is a game, and it should be treated as such. If you and your child aren’t having fun while at the range or the course, something is wrong.

Is golf a good sport for kids?

Golf is a great game, however, the sport is also all-to-often associated more with an older (and often retired) crowd than it should be. That stereotype is not without it’s merits either, after all, many of the requirements of the game, such as patience and remaining quiet while others are playing, are not exactly traits that come naturally to most kids. For those and many other reasons even the most-passionate golfer may choose to leave his or her child at home until they are old enough to handle everything that comes along with going to the golf course.

Can you cut a golf club to kid length?

Adult clubs that have been cut down to kid length are not a great way to get started in the game. The club heads from an adult set are going to weigh too much for a young child to handle, so the clubs will be very difficult for them to swing, even with the shortened shafts. If you are serious about introducing your child to golf, ...

Can kids feel pressure on the golf course?

Kids can feel pressure at the golf course when it is crowded, even if you are only hitting balls on the driving range. To create a relaxed environment in which they can thrive, head to the range, practice green, or the course during quiet times whenever possible.

When kids start playing golf, do they want to feel like they belong?

“When kids are first starting out, you want them to feel like they belong playing golf, that it’s a sport they can do, and enjoy. Then, focus on skill development, but not necessarily technique. As they get a bit older, you can start doing some technique.”

Why is it important to have the right clubs for kids?

“It’s really important that kids have the right clubs. Get them clubs that fit them, because learning with the wrong equipment can be such a turnoff. If the clubs are ill-fitting, it can make it so hard.”

What to replace a golf ball with?

When in doubt: replace a golf ball with a water balloon.

When can you start swinging a plastic club?

But as early as age two, you can have them swing a plastic club. It’s never too young. I hear a lot of parents say they don’t want to start their kids until they turn a certain age, but that time has come and gone. It’s more about doing different things at different ages when it comes to instruction.”.

Is it important to have private lessons with kids?

“Some kids love private sessions, and having someone you can relate to is really important. There’s no exact time or age to transition your kids from group lessons to private sessions, but people should really expose their kids to a little of both.”

Is it important to play junior hockey?

“It doesn’t matter how good your junior is, the most important thing is that they want to play for a long time. They may be the best 6-year-old, but if they don’ t want to play when they’re 13, that’s not a good thing. I like to get kids hooked on the game so they’ll want to play forever.”

Is having children good for you?

It is a truth universally acknowledged that one of the benefits of having children is cementing the members of your foursome for life. Pretty sure that’s what Jane Austen meant to say, right?

How to teach kids to play golf?

How to Teach Kids to Golf. The key to teaching kids to golf is making sure they have fun. See more sport pictures . Golf is a difficult game to teach anyone, so if you want to teach your children you're going to need a game plan. It's a sport that requires concentration, patience and discipline, and you'll need all three to keep your youngsters ...

How to make golf more fun for kids?

Another way to make golf more fun for your kids is to shower them with constant praise and encouragement. There's no such thing as a bad swing when a 4-year-old is holding a golf club, and there's nothing wrong with doing a little dance when your little one sinks a putt.

How many dimples are in a golf ball?

It'll take them a little while considering that a regulation golf ball will have between 300 and 500 dimples [source: Kidzworld ].

What is proper etiquette in golf?

When it comes to golf, proper etiquette is just as important as playing by the rules. In fact, many people consider golf etiquette another set of unofficial rules. You won't find these points of etiquette in a rulebook, but people are expected to follow them just the same. Some are common sense and others were created to help keep the game moving. The more you play with your kids, the more opportunities you'll have to make sure they understand proper etiquette. Just like the rules, it's a good idea to start with the easy stuff and build on that.

Why is golf considered an honor system?

The game relies heavily on the honor system because no one will keep track of your strokes except you, and your party likely won't follow you into the rough to make sure you don't adjust the lie of your ball.

When you start playing golf with your kids, do you do more?

When you first start playing golf with your kids you'll probably do more chasing them around the clubhouse than you will hitting golf balls. But after they're acclimated to the course and the game, you'll want to start focusing on the rules and techniques of golf.

Who is the youngest golfer to win the Masters?

Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament in 1997 at the age of 21. Three years later he became the youngest golfer to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters Tournament, the United States Open, the British Open and the Professional Golfers' Association Championship all in the same year [source: World Book ].

What does a putt teach a kid?

It’ll teach your kid to focus on distance control and the speed of their putt rather than just having the ball go to its home — which it’s often too good for. Like everything else in life, kids on the golf course take the lead from adults.

Where should the golf club be pointing?

Ideally, the golf club sits behind the golf ball and will be pointing at the waist line, and the chest is tilted towards the golf ball. If they’re bent over too much, the golf club will be pointing more between the leg; and if they’re standing up too straight it will be pointing more toward their sternum.”.

How often should kids grow out of clubs?

Kids should “always grow out of clubs and never grow into them,” says Cressend. So, the opposite of how you shop at Old Navy. You’re going to have to upgrade them for every 3 or 4 inches they grow, but it’s better to get a perfect fit now, so they can play properly and don’t get discouraged.

How many shots does a senior golfer take on a par 4?

The tees are well out in front and it’s a much shorter golf course,” says Cressend. “It allows for kids to get on a par 4 in 2 or 3 shots, as opposed to playing on a senior tee that will take 5 or 6 shots, which can be more discouraging.”.

What are the things that a child can do to improve their golf game?

If your child is taking lessons (group or private), make sure that the coach is aware of developing them as an athlete. Being able to run, jump, kick and hit are things that will aid them in playing good golf and being a well-rounded athlete.

How to get your child interested in golf?

You may be asking yourself how you can get your child involved in golf and, more importantly, keep them interested in it. Here are the best things you can do to help your child fall in love with the game. 1. Group instruction. It is so important for kids to be with other kids when learning golf. The younger they are, the better group instruction is ...

Why is it important to have group instruction in golf?

Group instruction. It is so important for kids to be with other kids when learning golf. The younger they are, the better group instruction is for them. Kids have more fun and are more engaged when they are in a group, versus one-on-one with an instructor.

Is PGA Junior League the same as Little League?

For any kid interested in golf, PGA Junior League is an amazing opportunity to get hooked. It is similar to Little League but for golf, with the team atmosphere and matches. Your child will be paired with a more experienced player and be able to get out on the golf course quickly. Some programs even provide weekly practices.

How old should a child be to play golf?

You're right to be encouraged by your kids' enthusiasm for golf, and you should bring them to the range and let them have at it (preferably with plastic clubs and balls for toddlers), but don't try to teach them the right way to swing until they're at least 5 or 6 years old.

What is the best time to play golf with kids?

What's the best time to take kids to the course? Try late in the evening or at a time when it's not crowded. That way if your kid wants to hit and chase the ball or sink putts from two inches over and over or rake every bunker, you don't have to worry about holding up the group behind you. Some courses reserve times and areas for children. -- Bob Rotella, April, 2004 Read Rotella's advice on getting kids started playing golf

What are the problems with junior golf clubs?

The second problem is a result of the first one: With a club that is too long , too stiff and too heavy, a smaller player swings on an arc that is too flat relative to his height, so the swing bottoms out behind the ball. And simply cutting the shafts down to a shorter length isn't the right answer. A slow-swinging young player already has enough trouble getting the ball to fly at the right trajectory. Stiff, heavy clubs with grips that are too big for him will just make that more difficult. -- Hank Haney, January, 2009

Should I try to teach my child how to play golf?

Should I try to teach my child how to play? Parents should embrace the attitude: I'm going to let my kid teach me golf. Don't worry about teaching your kids the proper grip right away. If they want to play three holes and go to the clubhouse to get a soda, so be it. The best thing you can do is show your kids what a great time you're having. If they see you having a wonderful time, then chances are they'll have a good time, too. -- Bob Rotella, April, 2004