Teaching a Child to Play Golf: Fun Comes First
Want to introduce your child or grandchild to the game? Adam Bazalgette, an award-winning PGA instructor, puts it bluntly: a young beginner won’t hit the ball well right away. The real goal is to make them want to come back. Here are two mistakes to avoid and two tips, illustrated by Laney, his student.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Golf is difficult: the clubface is small, and even a skilled young child won’t consistently hit the ball well. For Adam Bazalgette, that’s not the goal. The child will improve if he or she keeps at it, and he or she will only keep at it if golf is fun. With Laney, he alternated between hitting a few balls into the lake (old balls), giving her some candy, driving the golf cart safely, and taking breaks to enjoy nature. The result: after a few weeks, she was the one asking to come back.
Two things to avoid. Don't correct yourself after every mistake: Just like a child learning to walk, he knows he's fallen; we make the environment safe and offer encouragement. And Don't take away his freedom of movement When trying to achieve a “clean” swing: a child lacks strength, so they move their feet to generate power. Two things to do: Teach through the club rather than through the body, and give feedback on what the club is doing (“You’re hitting the ball at the end of the club, that’s why it’s going off to the side”). In just one year, without much coaching, Laney went from a spooning swing to solid hits.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Set just one goal: to make the child want to come back.
- Plan to include small treats and breaks during the session.
- Let him hit the ball without commenting on every missed shot.
- Let him move his feet and body if he needs to in order to hit the ball.
- When you step in, talk about the club: where it hits the ball and why it goes that way.
- Guide him through the movement by holding the club with him—no technical jargon.
- Be patient: progress comes with time spent on the golf course.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting a young beginner to hit the ball consistently.
- Correct after every missed shot (“You moved your head”).
- Aim for a disciplined swing, with your feet and head still.
- Talk about the knees, the head, and the legs instead of the club.
- Raising your voice: The child will then associate golf with a burden.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Short sessions with small rewards
- A few balls “just for fun” (old balls)
- Just one review, focused on the club
- Play with him rather than correct him
Your Questions
Should I correct my child when he or she misses the ball?
Not every time. Adam Bazalgette compares this to learning to walk: the child knows he has fallen. It’s better to make the environment safe, encourage him, and let him try.
My child moves his or her feet a lot and stomps: Is this a problem?
No. According to him, children don't have much strength and move to generate energy. It's better for them to have speed than a stiff swing.
What kind of advice should you give a young child?
Give advice on the club, not on the body. For example: “You’re hitting the ball with the tip of the club—that’s why it’s going off to the side.” The child then figures out for themselves how to adjust their swing.
How can you make a session enjoyable?
In the video, Laney alternates between hitting balls, receiving small rewards, driving the golf cart safely, and taking breaks to enjoy nature. The goal is for her to associate golf with fun.
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