How to Teach Golf to a Child

Golf is a unique sport that you can play for a lifetime. Teaching a child to golf can be rewarding, but its also a big responsibility for the teacher. You have the job of communicating not only the fundamentals but the fun of the sport. If you're up to the challenge, here are some ways to teach a child to golf.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Purchase a junior set of golf clubs for your child. A junior set is sized down for children with lighter heads, more flexible shafts and thinner grips for small hands. You can get away with just a fairway wood, set of four irons, a sand wedge, a putter to begin with. Complete their bag later as they catch on.

2. Follow your child's lead during the lesson. Does your child want to just hit some balls at the driving range, practice putting and chipping on the practice green, or take on nine holes? Let her call the shots.

3. Make your lessons fun to hold the child's attention. The lessons will stick with her and generate positive thoughts about the game.

4. Be positive. Criticism is no fun for anyone, especially a child. If you see that part of her swing needs corrected, first compliment her on her grip, then show her the way to make the swing work better.

5. Change your terminology to age-appropriate words. Use "circle" instead of "arc" and "turn" instead of "pivot." Where words fail, demonstrate what you mean.

6. Keep your temper in check. Golf is first and foremost a game, one that should be fun for children and adults. If you let your temper flare as soon as you tee off, your child will think golf is just a frustrating sport that makes grown-ups really angry.

7. Remember safety first. If you're on the course with a child, show her where to stand when someone is swinging. Always keep the child in front of you on the course, and never let her drive the golf cart, fun as it might seem.

Tips & Warnings

• If your teaching sessions aren't going well, consider a professional golf instructor for your child--assuming learning golf is actually your child's desire and not yours.
• Have a young child practice hitting a balloon or water balloon, draw a funny face on the ball and let her take a whack at it, or use the golf head covers for an impromptu puppet show.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• The Golf Digest webpage lists 10 tips to hook your child on golf.
• The PGA website lists tips for teaching golf to a child.

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on 5/24/2008 Start from the green and over time move away. Kids find putting to be easy and fun. They can compete right away. It's the essence of golf (putting the ball in the hole). Then move to chipping and eventually pitching. Trying to drive too soon does more harm than good in young golfers.