5 top tips to get your kids into golf

Introduce your little ones to golf with the help of child-friendly clubs, a few friendly caddies and a great sense of fun…

Start with two clubs
It’s best to start kids off with a few holes in the back garden or a local putting green, using a basic putter and a wedge. Plastic models work perfectly well for early starters, while more grown-up options made from aluminium, are widely available. Look out for sets with oversized club heads and training grip designed to promote correct hand positions. Add plastic, foam or ‘limited flight’ balls and challenge your little ones over three holes to keep things competitive, but fun.

Play age appropriate distances
Your tiny Tiger Woods or mini McIlroy will struggle to improve their game if they attempt to keep up with parents and pros on full-size fairways. Once you’ve started bringing them to a course, try asking them to hit a mid-iron and use the distance as your rule of thumb. If they can hit an 8 iron 100 yards, make that their par 3, make par 4 200 yards and their par 5 should be 300 yards.

Make the most of the golf course
You should make trips to the golf course as stress-free as possible. Avoid playing during peak hours when members may grow frustrated at your little one’s slow game and try booking in a tee time on a late afternoon or early evening. You can even combine a few holes with a treat in the clubhouse after. Your frequent visits will help gradually introduce your budding golfer to club etiquette in a relaxed atmosphere.
  


  
Bring their friends along
Children’s enthusiasm for a hobby can suffer from time to time, so you’ll need to think of a few ways to keep things interesting. You could invite your kids’ friends along for your next practice session, or even try some group classes. Your children are far more likely to keep picking up their clubs when they have a greater choice of golf buddies to play with.

Make it fun
Your child’s enjoyment should be your number one priority. The head of a junior golf program at the Maidstone Club, New York, swears by swapping golf balls for water balloons to teach kids to strike through the ball with their swing. And you might want to try something similar with the permission of your club. Remember to avoid criticism and focus on telling your kids how things should be done, always letting them know when they do something well. Your imagination and supportive nature will ensure your kids return to the course for years to come.