Golf Games for Kids: Five Fun Tips
Piers and Andy from Me and My Golf welcome young Leo Boniface to share five tips for parents. Each technical point becomes a game: jumping and freezing, throwing a ball, making the club whistle. It’s sure to make a child want to hit their first few balls.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
First, the grip—without a club: here’s how to do it palms facing each other, then the hand in the glove grabs the other one, and the hands come together. We do the same thing with the club. For the posture, here’s a game: the child turns around, jumps to face it and freezes. He finds himself in an athletic stance, ready to strike. A more difficult variation: a full turn around his own axis before regaining his balance.
As for the distance, we ask him to to throw a ball as far as possible and then freeze. The body naturally opens toward the target and the right foot lifts off the ground: you tap it twice—the “tap tap”—then bring it back as you finish the golf swing. For speed, the “whoosh”: With the club face turned inward, swing while aiming for an increasingly loud whistling sound, then imagine that "whoosh" as it hits the ball. Finally, a pre-shot routine for the driver: Feet together, ball in the middle, then one step to the right, a little wider than usual. This places the ball in front, toward the left heel.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- If you don't have a club, press your palms together, then do the same with the club.
- Jump Game: The child turns around, jumps to face you, and freezes; he or she then picks up the club while in that position.
- Throwing game: He throws a ball as far as possible, freezes, and taps his right foot twice.
- He feels that “tap tap” as he finishes his swings.
- The "Whoosh" Game: With the club turned upside down, he swings it, aiming for an increasingly loud whoosh.
- Driver: Feet together, ball in the middle, then take a step to the right, and swing.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Place your hands underneath the grip instead of placing them palm-to-palm.
- Explain the posture instead of having students discover it through a game.
- Swinging slowly for fear of missing.
- Forget about the step to the right that positions the ball in front of the driver.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Warm-up Exercises: Static Jump and Full Turn
- A few throws with the “tap tap”
- A series of “whoosh” sounds, followed by a ball
- Pre-shot routine with feet together, then a step to the right with the driver
Your Questions
How can you explain the grip to a child without using technical terms?
First, without the club: place your palms facing each other, then the hand in the glove grabs the other hand, and the hands move closer together. Repeat the exact same motion with the club.
What is the purpose of the jumping game?
The child turns around, jumps to face his opponent, and freezes. He naturally assumes an athletic stance—the one he needs to strike.
What is “tap tap”?
After hitting a ball, the child taps his right foot on the ground twice. This movement shows that the body has opened up toward the target; he returns to this position at the finish of a golf swing.
How do you position the ball on the driver?
Feet together, ball in the middle, then a step to the right, a little wider than usual. The ball ends up in front, near the left heel, for a long shot.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator. Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.