Golf Lessons for Kids

Golf Lessons for Kids: What you Need to Know Beforehand

Have you ever wondered, should I get my kid golf lessons?

It’s a great question, as I’m sure you want to steer your junior golfer in the right direction. Since golf is arguably one of the most challenging sports for anyone to learn (let alone a kid), it’s a great question to ask yourself.

But before you go spending hundreds of dollars per lesson (or more), let’s break it down to see if it’s the right decision at this time.

Golf Lessons For Kids: 7 Tips

Use these seven tips before you hire a golf coach and start getting lessons for your kids.

1. Ask Them If They Want Lessons

Before you start searching for “Golf lessons for kids near me” take a step back. Before booking your kids into golf lessons, first make sure they actually want lessons.

For some kids, you probably know the answer without even asking, but it’s still good to double-check. For other kids, it might be more difficult to tell if they’re super passionate about the game or not.

This is why it’s so important to ask them several times before searching the internet for golf lessons. The last thing you want to do is book a golf coach and they get burnt out or don’t focus and end up not enjoying the game. If they are completely new to golf, here are a few ways to introduce the game to them.

2. Group Lessons vs. Individual Lessons

If they are really interested in golf and want lessons, the next step is to evaluate what type of lesson you should book. In general, there are usually three main types of lessons: 1:1, group lessons, and junior golf camps/clinics.

Let’s dive in a bit more on each type of junior golf lesson:

1:1 Junior Golf Lessons

The first type of lesson is a 1:1 junior golf lesson. This is just the instructor spending 30-60 minutes giving a 1:1 lesson with your child. It’s usually the most expensive lesson as it’s one on one, but they’ll also get the most attention from the instructor.

If you do opt for this route, you have a choice to attend the lesson or watch from a distance. Some kids might want you close by to watch their results, while others prefer you hang out at the restaurant or on the other side of the range.

These types of lessons can also expand from the driving range to short game, putting, and even playing lessons too.

Group Lessons

The second type of lessons for kids is a group lesson. This is usually 2-4+ kids and 1-2 instructors, although it might vary depending on the facility and instructor.

Golf Camps & Clinics for Juniors

These are usually after school or summer programs meant for large groups of children. It’s more about learning the game than individual lessons.

3. Find the Right Instructor

If they’re ready to start taking lessons, do your research when it comes to finding the right instructor. You want to make sure that they’re a PGA Certified instructor and preferably have experience coaching junior golfers.

When searching for the right instructor, make sure to:

  • Talk with them in person.
  • Read reviews on Google and Yelp.
  • Ask fellow parents who have gotten their kids lessons.
  • Find their website and see if they have rates/schedules and other information available online.

Overall, you want to make sure the instructor can help your child get results and is worth the money. Click here to learn more about finding the right golf coach for your kids (or yourself).

4. Enroll Them in Golf Camp

If you don’t want 1:1 lessons, a great alternative to 1:1 golf lessons is to enroll them in a golf camp (or junior golf clinic). These camps are usually in the summer, but might be during other times of the year depending on where you live.

Golf camps are great because they usually last several hours and get the kids immersed in the game. It’s a great way for them to disconnect from technology and focus on being outdoors playing golf.

Not only will they teach mechanics to your junior golfer, they will help with other parts of the game like:

  • Video lessons.
  • Games and prizes.
  • Short game lessons.
  • On course training and general golf tips for kids.
  • Proper etiquette of the game.
  • Playing lessons and/or 3-9 holes after the driving range.
  • Discounted rates for you and your children during twilight hours.

And other perks depending on the facility. When comparing different golf camps online, make sure to inquire about specifics like:

  • Schedule.
  • Age group(s).
  • Experience level.
  • If they provide junior clubs.
  • How many instructors per junior golfer?

5. Get Lessons Together

Another great idea is to see if your local instructor offers group lessons for you and your child. This is not only a way to save money, but also a good way to bond together as fellow golfers as well. Plus, I’m sure we could all use a tune up to shoot lower scores.

6. Teach Them The Mental Game

Even if you don’t feel “qualified” to teach them the full swing, it doesn’t mean you can’t help their golf game. Arguably the most important part of the game is what happens in the mind of a golfer, not always the swing.

Legendary coach Jim Flick once said, “Golf is 90% mental and the other 10% is mental too.” While the great Bobby Jones said, “Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course – the distance between your ears.”

Not to mention, a handful of other top golfers have echoed the same thing – success in golf is all about the mental game. Sure, kids will need to learn how to swing a club, but eventually they will need to think about the mental game too.

Specifically, one important part to help teach your kids is the importance of not getting mad or frustrated. So many young players get discouraged after a few bad shots and let those shots linger for several minutes or more. It’s important to teach them that no golfer hits every shot perfectly!

Some things you can help them with include:

  • Setting realistic goals.
  • Staying in a positive frame of mind.
  • Reminding them always that it’s just a game.
  • Teaching them the proper way to act on a golf course.

7. Queue up YouTube

The final tip to help with golf lessons is to use something that your kids probably watch every day – YouTube. There are nearly an endless number of videos that are made specifically for junior golfers and/or parents to teach their kids the game.

Here are some of our favorite videos to help you out:

FAQs About Golf Lessons for Kids

Do you have more questions about setting your child up for success with golf lessons? If so, check out our frequently asked questions and answers below.

Are lessons worth it for kids?

Yes, I think lessons in golf are well worth it, especially as a beginner. The reason they’re so helpful as a beginner is because they can help avoid bad habits early. Plus, they can help establish a foundation for years or decades to come.

Are they 100% necessary for every single golfer on the planet? No, not always, but they can help a ton if your kid is committed to getting better.

If you can’t afford lessons yet or don’t think your kid is ready, focus on stuff you can help with. This includes short game shots, putting, and mental game tips to ensure they have fun and don’t sabotage their round.

What age should a child start golf lessons?

Similar to adults, there is no right age to start getting lessons. It really comes down to making sure that your child wants to take lessons more than you forcing them to do it.

As I’m sure you remember as a kid, whenever your parents force you to do something you don’t want to do, it’s not the most enjoyable. Whether it’s golf or any other sport/activity, don’t force them into and instead, ask them if they’re enjoying it.

While I’d love to say there is a “perfect age” to get started, it wouldn’t be true. Some golfers start before they are five, others before they’re ten, and others might not start until they are teens, or much later.

One thing to keep in mind, if you plan on playing golf with your kids on the actual golf course getting a lesson or two is not a bad idea. It will save you a lot of frustration later.

The number one rule is to make sure it’s fun for your child to play golf!

How much should golf lessons cost?

Golf lessons range greatly in price and depend on a number of factors, including:

  • Video technology.
  • Practice vs. playing lesson.
  • Instructors availability/background.
  • The golf course itself (private vs. public).
  • Private lessons vs. group lessons or a camp.
  • Buying individual lessons vs. a pack of lessons.

And other factors.

In general, most instructors won’t charge more than $100/hour for junior players and will usually offer discounts for buying in bulk. Make sure to double-check pricing beforehand so that there is no misunderstanding with the instructor.

Should I get my kid golf lessons?

It depends, as some of the greatest golfers of all time are 100% self-taught and never had lessons. Some great examples include:

  • Lee Trevino.
  • Bubba Watson.
  • Jim Furyk (only taught by his father).
  • Xander Schauffele (only taught by his father and recently won the gold medal in the 2020 Olympics).

That being said, make sure to follow the seven tips from above to decide if lessons are right for your kid.

How can I give my kid golf lessons?

If you elect to give your son or daughter golf lessons instead of sending them to a pro, here are some of our best tips.

  • Keep your sessions short. Most kids don’t have the attention span for a large bucket of balls (nor do they need to hit that many to improve). Try to keep your sessions under 30 minutes with 1-2 main teaching points to get the most out of each lesson.
  • Don’t correct them after every single swing or shot. Instead, provide mostly positive feedback and only occasional advice. This will make the lesson more encouraging and fun for everyone during the lesson.
  • Keep your teachings simple. If you’ve been playing golf for a long time, this might be difficult, as you have a unique understanding of the game. But do your best to simplify things, especially if you’re giving lessons to a younger child. Instead of getting technical, try to
  • Show don’t tell. Finally, make sure that you do everything you can teach your child by showing them first hand with their swing or short game. Of course, this is easier said than done, as golf isn’t easy for most players.

Finally, don’t forget to have fun and laugh off the bad shots. That’s part of golf and it’s good for them to see you make bad swings too!

Golf Lessons for Kids

How can I train my child like Tiger Woods?

This is a great question because let’s get real, who wouldn’t want their son or daughter to be the next Tiger Woods. In reality, I’m not sure if it’s possible, as Tiger truly is a once in a generation player.

Before he could barely stand upright, he was swinging golf clubs in his garage. At a young age, his mom taught him the power of meditation. Then, his father’s friend, Jay Brunza, taught him self-hypnosis at an early age to increase his focus.

Needless to say, it’s far from a conventional upbringing for most kids. In fact, I bet a lot of adults have never tried that hard on the mental side of the game (but I promise it will help).

But if you want to prime your child for success with unconventional methods, here are some tips to help you potentially raise the next generation phenom:

  • Focus on the short game first. Tiger learned how to play the game from green to tee – not the other way around. It’s probably why he has one of the best short games of all time and arguably the most clutch putter ever.
  • Make mental training a priority. As I mentioned, Tiger’s mental game is second to none thanks to unorthodox techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, and self-hypnosis.
  • Get them exposure to more golf tournaments and courses. Finally, try to get your junior golfer to more events with different fields. This will help them learn how to compete in different conditions and with new players.

While these tips should help, please don’t forget to always check in with your junior to ensure they’re having a good experience.

Should I buy my kids special golf clubs?

In general, I would say yes. While lessons can help a ton, they won’t be nearly as effective if they’re playing heavy, hard to hit golf clubs.

The reason I don’t say “Yes, 100% you should go right out and buy your kids new clubs” is for a few reasons.

First, you don’t want to waste your money on new clubs if your kid is just starting out and isn’t even sure they’re loving golf that much. The second reason is that you want to make sure you can get a set that can work for them now and also gives them some “growing room.” That way, you don’t have to worry about buying new golf clubs every year as they keep growing!

But if your son or daughter is loving golf and want new clubs, we got you covered. Click here to read our comprehensive guide on the best clubs for kids.

Final Thoughts on Golf Lessons For Juniors

Hopefully, you now feel confident on whether it’s time to help your kid with golf lessons. Always remember the first rule – make sure your kid(s) are interested in golf instead of forcing them to do it.

Then, decide the right atmosphere for your junior golfer to get lessons. Also, finding the right instructor is crucial to making sure they have an enjoyable experience.

Lastly, don’t forget that whether you know it or not, you are a teacher. Every time your kid goes out to the golf course with you, they are watching you. From how you swing, how you talk to people, how you act on the course, and more.