3 Things To Know About Kids and Golf - From a Dad Raising Young Golfers
I am going to be 100% real with you. Golfing with your kid is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of patience, a safe environment, and a commitment. But for those daring enough to try, the memories and life lessons learned with your child can truly last a lifetime.
Here are my Top 3 Tips for golfing together.
Set Expectations for You and Your Child
Before you start, keep in mind:
-
Toddlers have short attention spans. Keep sessions short (10–15 minutes) and fun. IE: Aim for a target, place their favorite stuffy out 15-20 yards and have them hit it.
-
If you believe your kid is the next Tiger Woods or Nelly Korda, please reach out to us 😂 Even the best golfers in the world got there through talent AND hard work. Your kid might struggle in the beginning, and that's okay. At this stage, the most important thing is getting them to want to come back because they enjoy the game.
-
Encouragement is key. Hi-five them after every small win, and encourage the “next shot”.
-
Let them swing their swing. Don’t get too technical.
Getting Started
-
Set up a play area at home (backyard or indoors).
-
Have them watch you or others playing golf, and having fun. No negativity. Golf is hard enough.
-
Get them proper equipment that fits their size and swing mechanics. Again, golf is hard enough.
Once they're comfortable holding a club, you can introduce them to the basics.
Step 1: Safe Environment for You and Your Child.
If you're curious, yes, my child has hit me with a golf club. So I say this from first hand experience:
-
Designate a safe zone for standing during swings. IE: place some cones around the "tee box"
-
No swinging if someone is in front or behind you.
Extra credit:
-
Use inside voices when others are playing.
Start practicing these at home with practice balls so they become comfortable.
Step 2: Basic Fundamentals & Keeping It Fun
Teaching golf to toddlers is all about making learning feel like play.
-
Practice at home. Let them get comfortable before hitting the range or course.
-
Demonstrate grip & swing. Kids learn by copying, so show them!
-
Make it a game. Anything past 25 yards is a "home run".
-
Basic Swing Thoughts. Much like you, kids don't do well with multiple swing thoughts going through their head. I recommend starting with the "up" position, hands at the top and have them naturally swing from there. More on this later..
If your child gets frustrated, take a break and switch it up with a snack. Let them go at their pace.
Step 3: The Power of Patience
Golf is a game of patience that applies to you and your child.
Here's what to avoid when teaching toddlers:
-
Making it too serious
-
Overloading them with instructions
-
Forcing them to play
-
Judging their skills
-
Pointing out mistakes
If your child gets frustrated, take a break. Don't put any extra pressure and force anything.
Conclusion
Did I mention I have 3 boys all under 5? I say all these things not as a teaching pro or parent-of-the-year but I have seen a thing or two when it comes to teaching golf to your own kids.
It’s been challenging for sure, but it’s also been rewarding. So much so, that I decided to make this my mission.
It’s not just about teaching the game to our children, it’s about spending valuable, quality time with them. It’s about teaching them life lessons that will last a lifetime.
And you never know; you could be training the next golf prodigy.
FAQ
At what age can I start teaching my child golf?
You can introduce golf-like activities to children as young as 2-3 years old. The key is to keep it fun and age-appropriate.
How often should I practice golf with my toddler?
Short, frequent sessions work best. Aim for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week, or whenever your child shows interest.
Should I enroll my toddler in formal golf lessons?
At the toddler stage, it's best to keep it casual and fun. Focus on introducing the basics at home first. With that said, if you do go for lessons, we love group classes at this stage that focus on fun, camaraderie, and simple coaching.
