6 tips for teaching your kids golf

With the school holidays upon us, you’re probably looking for exciting new ways to keep the kids occupied this summer. If this is the case, why not think about teaching them how to play golf?

Here are some of our tips on how to let your kids get the most out of their time on the course this summer.

1. Keep it fun
The number one rule for getting kids involved in sport is to keep it fun. It doesn’t matter if you think golf is the best sport ever, if your child doesn’t think it’s fun then their attention span won’t last beyond the first five minutes. 

Don’t focus on the dos and don’ts of playing golf, or how to get the perfect grip, just let them play as they want to play. You want them to fall in love with the sport, so keep the focus on enjoyment.

2. Choose the time wisely
If you’re heading round the local public course with younger ones, make sure you pick a time that means you won’t be bothering too many other players. Later in the evenings is often a good shout, or in the middle of the day if it’s midweek.

That way it doesn’t matter so much if your kid wants to hit 17 balls in a row into the nearest water feature, because you won’t be holding up any groups behind you. 

3. Try a driving range
Sometimes we all just want to hit something as hard and as far as we possibly can. And kids are no exception. A driving range can be a fun way to introduce them to golf and with most ranges floodlit and covered it means you can visit whenever suits you.

Many kids will get tired just at the prospect of walking round an 18 or even nine hole course, so driving ranges can mean all the fun of golf but without the logistical issues of ushering children round the whole course.
  

4. Put away the putts
Another great way to get your little ones into golf is on the putting green. Kids like to feel like they’ve accomplished something, so instead of simply seeing their ball fly off onto the driving range, they’ll be able to see them going into the hole.

Or, if the putting green isn’t winning over your kids you can always try the local crazy golf course — here are some of our favourite courses from around the UK.

5. Be encouraging
Whatever you’re teaching your kids, it’s always a good idea to make sure you keep encouraging them. Communicate with them at their height and make sure you keep the comments positive.

A good rule of thumb is to focus on the good things about your kids’ game, and ignore the bad. If they look like they are getting fed up with talking about golf, then simply change the subject. Play the long game.

6. Add some rewards
OK, so it might be slightly cheating but why not reward a session on the golf course with a trip down to the local ice cream parlour or sweet shop?

There’s no harm in making a day of it, and if they know there’s a treat at the end of it, your kids are going to want to come back to the golf course time and time again.