By choosing golf as your child’s sport, you’ll be allowing them to take a big step towards growing up as a healthy person.

If you decide to sign your kids up for golf, you should choose a coach or academy able to teach golf for beginners.

In this article, For Kids will let you know how and where to start golf lessons for your kids and how to select the most suitable golf clubs and tools for your kids. We’ll also answer the question, “How much does it cost?”

Kids golf clubs

Table of Contents

• 1. Golf Lessons Cost
• 2. Golf Tools & Accessories
• 3. Suitable clubs by age
• 4. Best Junior Sets 2019
• 5. Top 10 Brands

Golf lessons for kids

How to choose golf instructors and academy for juniors

To start golf lessons for your kids, you should carefully search for well-known golf instructors. Look at their records of producing winning competitors and their previous experience in general.

Golf can be practiced both in groups and individually. Golf clubs offer various programs for children only, or for children and their parents together.

You can choose a golf program that’s combined with general fitness, which focuses on technology.

Real golf vs. golf simulators

You can also engage in golf simulators that simulate the rotation of the club and the movement of the ball. 

The game, when it involves such simulators, is often played in closed golf clubs. A simulator will create a spectacular visualization of the golf course, and the movements of the club and the ball will seem absolutely real.

To check this out, go to a trial lesson at several clubs. See what programs are offered and how the coach leads the training. Following that, choose the most comfortable offer for you and get a club membership.

Find: Golf lessons, courses and instructors for kids near me

How much do golf lessons cost?

Golf lessons for kids are available with private instructors or in groups, and the cost is usually calculated at an hourly rate, which ranges from $40 to $100.

The cost varies according to a few factors, such as:

• The teacher’s reputation
• The level of training and expertise
• The course location

You’ll also have to spend money on inventory and sports clothing and shoes for practice. 

A special glove and stick will be required. At first, you’ll be able to rent a club at your golf academy.  

You can search for golf lessons at schools or golf courses that are within your budget by doing research online, visiting the schools and courses, or asking lovers of the sport for their recommendations.

If you decide to seriously engage in golf, you’ll have to purchase the previously mentioned items for your kid instead of borrowing or renting them.

Don’t rush to buy expensive sets right off the bat, though. You can start with simple ones, and it’s a good idea to ask the coach what exactly is needed for classes.

Golf tools and accessories

Golf accessories and tools are a group of devices that are used while you’re playing golf.

Here are some essential pieces of golf equipment for beginners, including kids, with a brief explanation of each of them and its uses.

If you’re new to golf sports, you may find this especially useful.

1. Golf Tee

A tee is a stand used to support a stationary ball so that the player can strike it during golf, tee ball, American football and rugby. It’s usually made of wood or plastic and is used for the first stroke at each hole.

A wooden tee is more fragile and will get damaged more quickly, so it’ll be fairly inexpensive. A plastic one will last longer and is more expensive.

2. Golf ball

Under the rules of golf, a golf ball has:

• A mass of no more than 1.62 ounces,
• A diameter not less than 1.68 inches,
• Performs within specified velocity, distance and symmetry limits

3. Kids golf clubs

A club is a tool that’s used to hit the golf ball. It consists of a club head and a shaft with a grip. Golf players can carry up to 14 clubs during a game.

There are different types of golf clubs with different names. Each is suitable for a specific shot.

Here are the most famous kids golf club names and their meanings:

Putter

A putter is a club that’s used to make relatively short and low-speed strokes with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance away, especially on the green.

Iron

Iron is another type of golf club that’s used to push the ball towards the hole. This type has a large, flat, angled head made of iron or steel. It has a shorter shaft and a smaller head than a wooden club.

This is the most common type of club. You can find 11 iron clubs within each standard set of 14 clubs, as this type is used in a wide variety of situations.

Iron is differentiated according to the angle of the loft, by numbers from one to 10 (three to nine are most commonly used).

Wedge

This is a subset of the iron club that has a higher loft than the numbered iron clubs do. It has the heaviest head, the shortest shaft and the longest loft.

A wedge club is used in special situations, as it adds more accuracy while you’re playing short-distance shots (lobs).

Hybrid

A modified golf club made of both iron and wood is known as a hybrid. Many golfers prefer it to others, as it has the familiar swing mechanics of iron along with the increased distance you’d get with a wooden club.

Wood

A wooden golf club is a type of club that’s used to hit a golf ball longer distances, due to its rounded head and long shaft.

Driver

A driver or 1-wood is the lowest lofted type of wooden club (between 9 and 13 degrees). It’s the longest club you’ll find in a person’s golf bag.

Junior golf clubs

The most suitable kids golf clubs

• Two to five years: Plastic golf clubs are the best choice.
• Five to eight years: Golf experts say the most efficient types of junior golf clubs to start with at this age are the wedge and putter. Then you can add a driver, a hybrid and a 7-iron, which is considered a perfect set at this age.
• Nine to twelve years: The child will be strong enough to make powerful swings and will be able to notice the differences between clubs. A set consisting of a driver, a fairway wood, a putter, a hybrid and three irons will be good.
• Thirteen to fifteen years: Now, the child will be ready to use a complete golf set of 14 clubs, as a professional adult does.

This chart displays the most suitable golf clubs for kids according to the height of each child and the driver length.

junior golf club sizing chart

Best junior golf club sets 2019

Confidence Junior Golf Club Set with Stand Bag

Wilson Profile Complete Junior Golf Set w/Golf Bag

Callaway Junior Kids Golf Club Set w/Golf Bag

Golf Girl Junior Set for Ages 4-8 w/Pink Stand Bag

Confidence Junior Golf Club Set with Stand Bag

Price

Wilson Profile Complete Junior Golf Set w/Golf Bag

Price

Callaway Boys  Junior Kids Golf Club Set w/Golf Bag

Price

Golf Girl Junior Set for Ages 4-8 w/Pink Stand Bag

Price

Top 10 golf club brands

According to the annual reviews from famous golf sites such as golfdigest.com and golf.com, these are the best brands for kids golf clubs:

• Callaway
• TaylorMade
• Cleveland
• Wilson
• Ping
• Titleist
• Mizuno
• Odyssey
• Cobra
• PXG

References

• Junior golf club sizing chart (cdc.gov)
• Golf tools and equipment (Wikipedia)
• Picking the Right Junior Clubs (Golf Digest)
• Business Insider: Best Golf Clubs of 2021

Golf isn’t just a sport, though. It’ll enrich the inner world of your kid, develop their self-discipline and help them build relationships with other people.

If you decide to start golf lessons for your kids, you’ll be making a huge contribution to their development, not only on the athletic level but also on the intellectual level. 

In this article, For Kids will outline everything that parents need to know about golf for kids, starting from the benefits of golf for children, what is the suitable age to start golf lessons, and how to choose a proper golf academy and course.

Golf for kids

Table of Contents

• 1. Best age
• 2. Benefits
• 3. Disadvantages
• 4. Medical contraindication

What is the best age to start golf lessons for kids?

The best age for your kid to start golf lessons is six to seven years of age, as their co-ordination will already be well-developed at this age. The child will be disciplined enough to stay focused for a long time, and they’ll be fit enough to be mobile.

If you want to develop a professional junior golf player, it is best to start at this age, without any delay.

On the other hand, some say that it’s better to start teaching a child to play golf from the second year of his or her life, but in our opinion, this is too early.

However, many golf champions began their journey at 14 or 15 years old and had significant achievements anyway, thanks to hard work and family support.

Boys and girls: Is there any difference?

There is no gender separation in golf. This sport is equally suitable for both girls and boys. Representatives of both sexes can achieve success and compete with each other.

You may also find this article useful: How to choose Academy, Coach & Golf clubs

Benefits of golf for kids

From the outside, it may seem that golf is a sport for lazy people. In fact, it’s not! Let’s take a closer look:

Interesting facts

In Finland, a study was conducted during which physicians observed men who lead a sedentary lifestyle for five months. During the experiment, the participants were invited to play golf three times a week. 

Before and after the experiment, their physical characteristics (weight, pressure, flexibility, endurance, speed and such) were measured and compared.

The results showed that the men’s health improved in general, according to the following indicators:

• Their weight decreased
• Their waist circumference decreased
• Their endurance level and speed increased (measured on a treadmill)

You can safely say that the benefits of golf are enormous for both kids and adults, and here are some more of them.

Physical and mental benefits of golf for kids

1. Moderate exercise

Although golf is a strategic game, there are some physical activities involved, such as walking, swinging and pivoting.

Thanks to golf, the muscular belt is strengthened. The muscles within the back, the abdominals, the obliques and the backs of the thighs are worked.

At the same time, physical exertion during the game is minimal in comparison to some other sports, so fatigue doesn’t occur quickly. 

As a result, the heart muscle isn’t put under stress.

2. Good for sight

Any ophthalmologist will say that the best exercise for the eyes is to look alternately into the distance, then in front of you and so on. That’s what happens during a golf game!

First, golfers learn to focus on the small ball when it is close to them, prior to their swing, and then to focus to look at it from a distance.

Golf also improves eye-hand coordination in junior golfers.

3. Safe environment.

Golf is considered the least traumatic sport, as it’s a non-contact sport and the golf course is the safest place for sports. 

Therefore, you can be absolutely calm about letting your child go to workouts.

4. Develops discipline, responsibility and emotional control

Golf is played without referees. This allows the child to take responsibility for their actions and eliminate mistakes. 

Additionally, not every stroke can be successful. “Ups and downs” on the playing field will allow the child to develop such qualities as:

• Control over their emotions
• Concentration (before the blow)
• Maintaining a positive attitude

Golf will teach you and your kid to analyze the situation and predict moves.

5. Fresh-air experience

Every parent knows how useful it is for a growing body to be out in nature, away from computer games and the dust of the megalopolis.

Golf gives kids an excellent chance to spend a few hours in the fresh air, as most golf courses range from 30 to 200 acres.

Studies have revealed that constant exposure to green areas helps alleviate anxiety, reduce stress and make the body more relaxed.

Plus, exposure to sunlight helps the body absorb vitamin D, which is important to calcium formation and deposition on the bones and teeth of your child.

6. Teaches etiquette

Golf pays great attention to etiquette. Since golf is played without judges, it encourages participants to respect each other, follow the rules on their own and be honest. That’s why golf is known as a gentleman’s game.

7. Sociability and communication.

While being engaged in golf, your child will have the opportunity to make good friends who are also interested in such a noble sport.

Since golf is not a fast-paced competitive game like basketball and soccer, there is plenty of time to interact with others.

As a general rule, children who engaged in the same activity will unite and establish friendly relations.

Cons of playing golf for children

Although golf is one of the safest sports, not everything is perfect, and of course, golf comes with a few drawbacks.

Muscle strain

While playing golf, there is the possibility of overstretching of the muscles, as you need to make your blows powerful and sharp.

How to prevent this?

Before the game, it’s highly recommended that you warm up well by doing several squats and bending from side to side. You need to warm up your muscles for at least 10 minutes.

Pain

Professional golfers often suffer from back pain and loin pain, as well as pain in the elbow joints.

This is also connected to actively working with a golf club without a preliminary warm-up.

Sunstroke

Since golf is mostly played outdoors, there’s a chance you’ll get sunstroke or a sunburn due to over-exposure to sunlight. 

Every parent should take precautions to keep their children safe and avoid this problem through good hydration, wearing a hat and using sunscreen.

Medical contraindications of playing golf for juniors

There are no strict contraindications for kids when it comes to playing golf. This game is one of the fewest sports that suits almost everyone. 

The only requirement may be the absence of disorders involving the child’s musculoskeletal system or nervous system. If your child doesn’t have any obvious deviations from the medical norm here, you can safely send them to the golf course.