Getting A Child Started In Golf | Gutsy Golf (2024)

Recently I was approached by a friend of my wife’s who wanted to get her daughter started in golf.

As I did my own research to help her, I was a little surprised at how little information there is on just the basics of getting someone started (let alone a child), in golf. Like, what clubs should I purchase, where should I get lessons, how do I find a teacher, etc. It seems there are pieces of information here and there, scattered about.

What I hope to do here is lay out some helpful tips on getting someone started in the game. And to be specific, I’m aiming this at the younger generation.

Please feel free to reach out and let me know if you have any questions or things I may have missed addressing here.

Getting started in golf: where to begin

I’m going to assume our child (and parent) know next to nothing about the game and where to begin. Everybody is different in how they come into the game, so I am going to approach it in a simple manner.

Every child is different. Some have more athletic ability than others. Some may have never thrown a ball around or played catch, or tried to hit anything with a stick. So this is another factor in beginning golf.

Let me start by answering a few questions you may have.

  1. What equipment should I buy for my child?
    This is a fair question and important one. But, let me tell you straight away. Golf is not one of the “cheaper” sports. Given that, let me start by asking you a question: “How serious is your child in starting the game?” And, you may not be able to answer this yet. Maybe your child is only interested because they heard Sally down the street is starting golf lessons – and they look up to Sally. Or, they saw it on TV or YouTube. That said, it’s a good idea to gauge their level of interest first. We don’t need to go out and buy a full set of golf clubs, bag and balls straight out of the gate. If your child has a curious level of interest in the game, I would recommend taking them to a local par 3 golf course (if one is nearby) OR the nearest golf course, go into their pro shop and ask for the golf pro OR the attendant if you could borrow a junior putter. The putter is a club that is used exclusively on the putting green. Then, ask if you could take the putter onto the practice putting green to putt for a bit. It wouldn’t hurt to tell the pro or attendant that your youngster is beginning the game, doesn’t have a set of clubs yet, but you’d like to get their feet wet in the game. More than likely the staff there will be keen to help a child get started and will offer the putter for free. If they do charge you to rent it for 20-30 min, it shouldn’t cost more than $5-10.After your child has been out on the green for a bit with the putter, you’ll be able to gauge their interest. They may also want to look around at the driving range, or see where the golf carts are stored. It will likely wet their appetite for more OR convince them golf is not “exciting” enough. If you’re into golf as well – or have played – feel free to putt around with them too and maybe play a little game.If there is still interest there, you may wish to speak with the pro in the shop OR attendant if they have any used junior sets available OR where they might recommend purchasing these.Generally, it’s a good idea to get your child clubs that fit them. If the clubs are too long or heavy, they could become discouraged. Golf can be a frustrating sport – so we want to get them started with as many advantages as possible. If you have the money, you could get a junior set made by Callaway (a leading golf club manufacturer) on Amazon for $250 (on up to $400) that are available depending on your child’s height. Be sure to select the drop-down with your child’s correct height before purchasing.I would also recommend look at US Kids clubs. They have trade-up programs available as your child grows into new clubs and conduct junior events as your child grows in interest and ability. They also sell clubs based on your child’s height and have an easy-to-use sizing chart / guide.If money is of concern (and the local course doesn’t have any cheaper alternatives / used equipment), I would check out a local used sports goods store, your thrift store, and / or Craigslist. I’ve done my own search for my wife’s friend on Craigslist and was pleased to find some decent equipment for sale. Again, with used equipment, it is harder to find something that fits. Ideally, you’ll want to find equipment that is sold as a “package”: a driver, several irons, and a putter and bag to carry them.As you shop, be mindful of your child’s height, as many of the junior sets are designed based on height and gender.
  2. Should I just let them play or get them lessons?
    As I mentioned, every child is going to come at the game with different levels of interest and ability. So, I’m going to answer this question with that in mind.If your child shows athletic ability, and hand-eye coordination, I wouldn’t be afraid to let them go off onto the course to play. Some courses will have an age limit – but generally should be open to their playing, if accompanying by an adult.Even if your child shows some ability, I would recommend finding a local golf professional who specializes in youth lessons. I would recommend someone at a golf course vs someone at a driving range or golf shop. This is a personal preference from my years in the game, and I mean no slight to those in golf stores or driving ranges. There is many good teachers at these places, but if you have a golf course nearby – preferably a smaller course, like a par 3 or “executive course” – I would take them there first for lessons. When there, ask to speak with their head professional and if there, check on their rates for individual lessons and/or group lessons. If the pro is not there, the attendant will likely hand you their business card or fill you in on the details of lessons.Many courses will offer group lessons and individual lessons. Here is where your understanding of your child will help. Is your Joe or Sally shy or social? Athletic or uncoordinated? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you in deciding on group or individual lessons. Generally, group lessons will allow them to be in a setting where they can meet other kids their age, but they will not receive as much attention. In a one-on-one lesson, it will be tailored to your child and they will receive full attention. Individual lessons tend to cost more money, while group lessons are given in a “package” deal of – say – 4-6 lessons. Individual lessons can be given weekly or one at a time as the golf pro gets a sense for your child’s aptitude and desire to learn. My recommendation would be to get your child started in several individual lessons first to get them on the right track. The pro will be able to guide your child in a number of helpful ways.To find a pro near you, I recommend checking the PGA of America’s “coach finder“.
  3. What if my child shows potential?
    If your child starts to improve more rapidly in the game and enjoys playing, great! If you’ve been taking your child to a golf teaching professional, they will have the knowledge to help guide them to their full potential.Of course, golf is not cheap – so find out from the teaching pro what type of arrangement they can make to keep an eye on your child’s progress.Do not push your child if they are not showing progress OR are not enjoying the game. Allow them to come to you and request to play more, go to the course, ie. Earl Woods, the father of Tiger Woods, would often spend shorter times at the golf course when Tiger was learning the game, to give him a taste of the fun he could have playing the game. This helped foster a desire in Tiger to want to stay longer at the course, and spend more time practicing.

After they’ve taken up the game

It’s been some time now since you’ve introduced your child to the game – and they continue to enjoy learning and playing. Now what? Continue to guide them and gauge their interest level. Fuel their interest, if they continue to want to play. Introduce them to different parts of the game. Take them to a local professional golf event. Bring them to a golf store. Maybe watch a golf movie (One of my favorites, Follow the Sun – which is based on the life of Ben Hogan).

In the end, golf is a game and it is meant to be enjoyed. Starting your child in the game will open them up to possibilities in life – including friendships, teaching life lessons, and the enjoyment of nature.

Feel free to reach leave a comment if you have more questions!

Getting A Child Started In Golf | Gutsy Golf (2024)

FAQs

What age should a child start golf lessons? ›

6-10. This is a great range to get your child involved in golf lessons. Starting this early can help feed their interest in the game while also helping them out with basic mechanics. At this age, many kids can follow instructions and understand the various intricacies of the game.

How to start a child at golf? ›

You can introduce your child to golf just by taking them to the pitch with you and have them watch, or you could put a sports channel on when there's a golfing tournament. This way they are aware of this sport and perhaps spark an interest in them wanting to try it as well.

How do I get my 7 year old into golf? ›

How to help your child get into golf: 10 top tips for success as...
  1. Always keep it fun. ...
  2. Start with the driving range. ...
  3. Use age-appropriate clubs. ...
  4. Work from the green backwards. ...
  5. Let them swing thier swing. ...
  6. Encouragement is key. ...
  7. Focus on their development, not yours.
May 9, 2023

How do I motivate my child to play golf? ›

One way to mix things up is by incorporating games into practice. Use putting games, chipping games, different full-swing contests. Develop the competitive spirt early on, and they will stay motivated to improve. Golf requires a lot of time and patience, so if they're not having fun, they could get burnt out and quit.

Is 10 years old too late to start golf? ›

Although many of the professional golfers started at a very young age, it is never too late to start. Golf is a sport that anyone can master even if you start well into adulthood.

How often should a beginner take golf lessons? ›

You should take at least 3-5 lessons as a beginner in golf, but they should be spread out between times that you practice by yourself on the driving range. Try taking a lesson, having 3 sessions by yourself at the range, then taking your next lesson.

How do I know if my child is good at golf? ›

So, when you're looking for your kid's potential at a young age, don't just look at their scores. Watch how they play the game, see how they chip and putt, and look at their shot selection. A short hitting junior may have a pretty good short game.

How far should an 11 year old drive a golf ball? ›

Nine-11 year olds maybe 180-250 yards, and 12-13 year olds play from forward tees." There's no need for kids to go out and play full length courses.

Is 70 too old to start playing golf? ›

Golf really is the sport for all ages, and there's absolutely no age limit for taking up golf as a hobby. Whether you're 28 or 78, golf is a great way to spend time outdoors, socialise with friends and get some all-important exercise.

How to start teaching golf lessons? ›

Teaching golf well is an art and can be a very rewarding one.
  1. Be brief – keep information simple and direct. ...
  2. Use humor when teaching golf.
  3. Show, rather than tell, at every opportunity during the golf lesson.
  4. Remember that fear of failure can be reinforced by paying too much attention to mistakes.

What age should kids start golf? ›

5 to 10-year-olds

​By the age of five, children may be able to join in on kids' golf lessons, individually or in a group. Group lessons are a good start and will teach them etiquette and sportsmanship. Now is the time to make sure they don't start to develop bad habits that they'll have to work to undo later.

How do you encourage children to initiate play? ›

One of the best environments for encouraging child initiated play is in the outdoors! Set up a space for children to play in and allow them to simply explore the environment around them. They will be able to experience new textures, smells and sounds, and maybe new wildlife around them.

Can a 3 year old play golf? ›

Shafranski says kids can start "golfing" at any age. They can even tag along to the course as soon as they're interested and have the required motor skills, which can be as young as 3–4. "It is never too young to encourage juniors to play this great game," he says.

When should a beginner play on a golf course? ›

You do not need to be very good at golf to start playing on a course. You will enjoy yourself more if you have been to a driving range and learned how to get the ball off the ground when you hit it. It also helps to have an introductory course with a golf professional to learn the basic rules of the game.

Is golf good for kids to learn? ›

Life lessons

Golf is a sport that relies on players to keep their score and follow the game's rules. This can teach kids the importance of honesty and fairness, both on and off the course. Golf can also help kids with problem-solving skills as they learn to make different shots and improve their game.

What age is juvenile golf? ›

Juveniles must be 10 Years of age before they can play in Juvenile Competitions.

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