How to Make Golf Practice Fun for Kids
Quick answer: Turn drills into games, mix up the format, and involve the whole family occasionally. Practice that feels like play builds the same skills as repetitive drilling — and it’s far more likely to keep a young golfer coming back.
Ways to Make It Fun
- ✓Turn a drill into a challenge“Beat your own best” from the gate putting drill turns repetition into a game.
- ✓Mix up the locationThe garden, a park, the range — variety alone keeps things feeling fresh.
- ✓Involve the whole family occasionallyA parent or sibling joining in, even briefly, changes the feel of a session.
- ✓Set silly targetsChipping to a hat, a hula hoop, or a specific tree adds playfulness without losing the skill value.
- ✓Let your child choose sometimesHanding over choice of drill or format builds ownership and motivation.
Why This Isn’t Just “Nice to Have”
Engagement is one of the eight growth areas we track for a reason — a child who enjoys practice does more of it, sustains interest longer, and ultimately develops further than one who’s drilled without enjoyment. Fun practice isn’t a distraction from real development; for junior golfers, it often is the development.
Go Deeper
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child still finds practice boring?
Try changing the format entirely rather than pushing through — a different location, a game instead of a drill, or a shorter session can reset interest.
Is it okay to skip a planned session if they’re not in the mood?
Yes — forcing an unwilling session tends to build resentment rather than skill. Flexibility protects long-term enjoyment.
Should fun practice replace serious skill work entirely?
No — the goal is blending them, not choosing one over the other. Most of the drills in our guide can be made playful without losing their skill value.
Enjoyment is progress too.
FamilyGolf Club recognises engagement as one of eight real growth areas — not just an afterthought.
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