My son (5 y/o) had his first class with First Tee this past weekend and seemed to enjoy it. He requested to come back the next day and the day after that to hit more balls, which I, of course, was on board with (top 3 dad moment right there).

We are at square 1. Gripping the club appropriately, getting feet set, keeping eye on the ball are all things I have started working on with him. However, hitting balls at the range keeps his attention span for about 5 minutes, then he is ready to move on to something else. It also didn't help that it was so hot outside, I am hoping with cooler temps he can stay with it longer. However, I need some ideas for "games" that we could play that will allow him to work on those basics, but also keep his attention longer than a range session will.

One of my ideas is to get some sort of ring or hoola-hoop type thing and have him try to land a ball in it. We have foam practice balls so not worried about knocking out a window or anything just yet.

For those dads that got their kids started at an early age, what are some things you did with your kids to make practice fun, especially while establishing the basics? I've been waiting for these moments since the day he was born, and want to make sure he is learning but also keeping it fun for him. I appreciate any advice you guys have!

My suggestion is do your best to balance fun and practice. He's too early in the process to focus on anything at a finite level. Game like practice sessions to keep him interested as a reward for 15 minutes serious practice sessions that fit his skill set.

My youngest has her first class tonight. She's had an advantage watching big sister develope and play at a highly competitive level. She isn't strong enough yet to really command a full swing, so we do 20 reps 3x-4x a week on a swing aid with built in grip placement that will help build her strength. When she does it, we reward her with a game of pig in putting or chipping against big sister and I.


We have a 20' roll out putting matt and a couple 18" chipping targets we hit to in the backyard from a hitting matt. The game of pig (quicker than horse) is fun whole working on the basics of short game until she's strong enough to join us in the garage simulator.

They'll teach him other game like practice routines as well like putting ladders and such. Ask him what they do and he'll tell you the fun sessions he likes.

Focus on the things that don't cost anything so you aren't worried about wasting moneyif he loses interest. A 30 minute trip to the closest putting green for a putting competition. Take advantage of it to slip in wisdom about the game. Determining putting order, not stepping in lines, how to read a green, etc. Grab a small milk shake on the way home.

Do everything to keep it fun as long as you can.

IMO, I wouldn't at all worry about him learning. Let him dictate what he wants to do when he's out there. Sure, encourage some putting games and what not, but don't force the issue.

I don't have any games or ideas, I just know you should let him get a ice cream or candy every time he goes out with you.

Every kid is different. My oldest wants to learn. Mimics my pre-shot routine before I ever told him what I was doing. Asks how to do things.

My now middle child just wants to bang balls. Loads up a tee, and swings driver as hard as he can.

If I load up a tee for the oldest, he'll hit a few and then just start asking questions. If I start instructing my middle, he'll just stop hitting balls.

I don't know the answer, but I know they both get ice cream and have fun.

This. When my kids were that age I'd bring them and sometimes they would play a joke or two and slap it around or we'd just go to the putting green and let them play and putt there. Always got snacks from pro shop. A few years older now and they still enjoy playing. My son has even played in a few junior tournaments. Until they are big enough and strong enough to be somewhat consistent I wouldn't worry about lessons or practice imo on a weekly type of routine. Let em play and love the game first.

The first club I got my kid was a "yard club" with the molded grip. He plays baseball too, and I think the grip forcing him to hold it the correct way really helped in the beginning.

Beyond that… I wouldn't try doing much of any teaching other than ball placement for woods vs irons.

When you do go out to the driving range, try to get a Coke/Gatorade/Ice Cream on the way home so they relate golf with "good times and Dad."

Make it fun! I had my son on the course with me at age 4. Was told early on not to get lessons until 10-12 years of age.
As he got older (5-10 yr), we let him hit from the 150 yd markers on par 4's, 200 yard markers on par 5's and from the ladies tees on par 3's. That way he would not try to hit as far as we did and would not get worn out swinging so many times on a hole.
He grew up playing high school golf and at 38 years old, is still a really solid player in the 70's! One other bit of advice, in high school, he got completely burned out! We never pushed him, but with the weather in Houston, he could and did literally play or hit balls almost every day!
I just turned 69 and love the idea that I can play a sport with my boy! We played on Sunday and he kicked my butt as always, but really had a great time spending 5 hours with my boy! Good luck!!!

reminds me of a time years ago playing shadowglen in Manor on a Saturday. The group in front of us had a kid tagging along and would do snow angels in every single bunker....and the dad never raked them lol. I got a kick out of it but I am sure others would've been pissed. I thought it was funny.

MW03 said:

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#1 Take them on the course. 18 is too much, but a cheap twilight 9 is just about right. I also had a timer in my head and went up there to get an hour and a half of quality time with my son. Once I could tell he was getting bored, we finished one more hole and called it.

#2 Find a spot on the course and let them drive the cart for a minute. Nothing hit for my kiddo quite like being able to drive the cart for a minute. Kept him coming back.

#3 Make it a team sport. You get the ball to the green, then they take over. Little chips, the Texas wedge, and putting.

In terms of other games, I carried a little length of rope in my bag that I would throw down on the putting green if it was empty. Closest to the rope without going over gets a point, and the first 10 gets to pick the after-round snack. (Don't forget to "accidentally" sail a couple over.) Figuring out how hard to hit putts was tricky for mine, and just worrying about speed and not the disappointment of missing the hole really helped him tune it in. And the opportunity to compete, and sometimes even BEAT dad? Forget about it.

The biggest piece of advice, though, would be to let them be kids out there. Get that last twilight 9 and then let them run and jump in bunkers and chase ducks and whatever. The golf course is really the best park on the planet when you think about it. At 5, 6, 7 years old, its not about teaching them how to play golf so much as it's teaching them to enjoy getting to go play golf with you.

Just don't forget to rake.

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This.

I saw something from Padraig Harrington about getting kids involved with golf. Probably will try do something similar to this when the times comes.

Having seen hundreds of kids instruction from a variety of ages, and now coaching HS golf, here are my thoughts:

1). Age 5 - they don't have the strength or coordination to handle the club, so to compensate the use every muscle in their body to swing it and hopefully hit it. So you need to lower your expectations a bit. Trying to have a kid land a ball in a hoop is challenging even for low handicappers. Sure have a target, but make it realistic - see if he can hit it up into a tree, or over a swimming pool at home or something. Keep it general - if he constantly "fails" he will lose interest.

2). At this age they will inevitably grab the clubs with their hands separated from one another like a hockey player. Start reinforcing that their hands need to be touching - baseball grip is fine.

3) their lack of strength is gonna force them to be moving their feet a lot - try your best to get them to keep their feet grounded and after they swing to "be a statue". This teaches them some amount balance.

I wouldn't do much more than that. Let them naturally hit the ball but to me the grip and balance are the things to try and get set early.

Oh yeah - and its all about the snacks/treats at the course or some stop on the way home, or the music in the car on the way home. Even a small "road trip" - my boys like that the best...1 hour drive to Vaaler Creek in Blanco (and the fact they never charged me for them to play), as well as the deer on the course were a big hit. The stop in Dripping Springs to get food or ice cream played pretty well too.

small doses. Leave them wanting more. Take them out for a few holes. Make little games. As soon as you're getting hot or a little bored, leave. Go hit the pool , grab a drink, whatever. Make it FUN and also a little competitive. Used to love playing my kids in little putting contest for bedtime. Extra 30 min or hour of bedtime for whoever wins putting.

The whole thing is FUN....we'd always play "Great day to be alive" in the car on the way to the course.

once they are older and more serious, get them with a good pro for lessons, either group or individual, depending on your situation. DO NOT try to teach them yourself. You be the person they PLAY with and have FUN with, not their teacher doing swing analysis on every swing. That's not fun and they won't want to play with you. My only instruction for my kids once i figured this out was, stay cool, stay in the game, bouncing back from bad shots, etc. Some of the mental stuff. But not the paralyzing technical thoughts. PLAY with them.

Then tournaments, mine played NTPGA in East Texas and DFW through high school. Nice little one day tournaments, tons to choose from and you get to play good courses.


Take them to PGA or LPGA events. Let them see the pros and the setting. Especially girls, if you can get them to an LPGA event, those ladies are fantastic with little girls. It will get them hooked.

Both kids played HS golf and we had some great times with that. Way more important, though, by God's grace they still like the game and still want to play with old dad now, at age 25 and 21. When we visit at college or they are home at holidays, they want to go PLAY with dad. That's the goal...

Golf1 said:

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I saw something from Padraig Harrington about getting kids involved with golf. Probably will try do something similar to this when the times comes.

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Came here to post this. Seems like pretty brilliant advice.

lots of good advice on here
some I would disagree with...particularly taking him out to the course for 9 holes. That's WAY too long for 99.9% of 5 y/o kids. Even if you go fast and its an hour...he's gonna get bored.
Keep it to fun games that he can easily handle....maybe have a few ready so if he tires of one you can try another. But when he's done....he's done. Don't make him stay longer if he doesn't want.
I'd start on the green. I'd make it all about putting and chipping. Simple game of PIG or GOLF or whatever word he chooses (just make sure its short so the games/he wins goes quick!!). The other poster idea of a rope on the green to work on speed is a good one too.
I wouldn't be doing full swings on the range. Maybe a few if he insists. As one poster said...they don't have the strength at 5 so they'll get into bad habits quick and early.

Maybe in the near future look to get him into group lessons. If hes around buddies it'll be even more fun. A good instructor with kids that young has them doing games that help them with the basics without them even knowing. They spend way more time doing that than just lining up the range and hitting balls.

And when he is ready to hit the range...spend the money to get him the RIGHT clubs. Properly weighted. I'd look at US Kids clubs. So many people just get a club and cut it down but even then its still too much.