For keen golfers, spending the morning or afternoon on the golf course is the stuff of dreams, however, the game in its full state could be too much for little ones. Considering shorter, mini-games that introduce children to the sport of golf can make for a great way of capturing their enthusiasm for the game, developing their skills and understanding, as well as enjoying themselves.
Some may have the incorrect notion that golf is a game played exclusively by those enjoying their retirement, but that could not be further from the truth. Golf is very much a young person’s game with juniors making up a large part of clubs’ members up and down the country.
For juniors, playing a full 18-hole course may well be a little too much – but it is rare that young children will play any sport in its full guise. Here, we look at some fun golf games for kids to play to acquaint them with the game.
Mini-Golf
For many youngsters, this is the first introduction to golf. Of course, this is barely recognisable to the actual game of golf, but when it comes to golf for children, it teaches them the basics of how to hold a club and stroke the ball. While there won’t be very much driving involved, this will help to develop the putting technique.
The short nature of the game, as well as the weird and wacky obstacles along the way, make this an excellent game for any little boy or girl playing golf. The transferable skills of deciding on direction, power, and line, as well as the execution, will all be valuable when it comes to the real game.
Putting Games
Mini golf is just one game that will help to develop a young player’s putting, with many different putting games available. You don’t even need to pay out to hit a course as you can design your own putting course in the back garden (or in a park if you don’t have access to a garden). Pick up a set of cones, or even just use a glass on its side, a couple of putters and a ball and set out your own green.
This can make for a lot of fun, without spending a lot of money. Parents can and should absolutely get involved as children love it when they play with and/or against mum and/or dad. Setting this up outside on the grass will give a truer representation of the true form of golf than mini-golf, which will likely have a smooth artificial surface. Playing putting games on the grass in the garden, park or field will mean that the little ones will have to navigate natural imperfections – making for an excellent junior golf exercise!
Par 3 Courses
This is the next step up for children in golf and places them in the proper golfing arena. You may decide that having a toddler on the golf course isn’t quite right, which is fine – we figure this is probably best suited to older children. When teaching junior golf, you should ensure that you introduce them to a course to match their capability. Therefore, August is probably out of the question, unless you have a scary good child prodigy on your hands.
A par 3 course is an ideal introduction for children as the holes will be of reasonable difficulty. As with all amateur players, just because the course is labelled as a par 3, doesn’t mean that players will finish the hole in three strokes. It will be worth considering how long you expect each hole to take to finish and go from there – you don’t want your young players to become disheartened or disinterested.
We recommend finding golf clubs where a small child can experience the sport in their own way. Some clubs and courses would rather not have young children running around, so it is best to do some research beforehand to ensure the best experience for you and your little one(s).
Longest Drive/Nearest the Pin Competitions
Longest drive and nearest the pin competitions can include everyone, regardless of ability, making them a favourite for young children learning the game. They also help to develop skills that will help with their overall game and with the added incentive of winning a trophy/prize, they will be motivated to give it their all.
These types of competitions can be held either as stand-alone tournaments or incorporated into an event. If you are organising a junior golf day, you may want to consider including longest drive and nearest the pin trophies to give players of all abilities something they can realistically aim for. When children enjoy the game they play, receiving recognition for their efforts (not just an overall winner), they are much more likely to want to continue.
Target Games
Finally, target games can be fun and incredibly useful – so much so that professional players will utilise such games in their training sessions. Aiming for a large target is easier and more attainable for beginners and helps to develop their control and technique.
For example, you can set up your own game with items such as a bucket or cones. Aim to chip the ball into a bucket (tip: fill the bucket with water to stop the ball from bouncing straight back out) or set out an area to play the ball into and stop. Make up a point scoring system and you soon have a fun game that can be adapted to the ability of those playing.
All the mentioned games are designed to develop children’s golfing skills, whilst introducing them to the game of golf in a fun and enjoyable way. Remember, the most important thing is that all children playing come away with a positive experience.
If you would like to some information on the range of golf trophies available through our website, please do not hesitate to contact our team today.