How to Teach a Toddler Golf

Starting a toddler with golf is far less about forging the next professional athlete and much more about sharing a love for the game in a purely fun and safe environment. This guide is your straightforward plan for introducing your little one to golf, covering everything from the right equipment to simple games that will have them smiling, whether they’re in the backyard or taking their first swings at a practice green.

First and Foremost: Make Fun the Only Goal

Before we talk about clubs, balls, or swings, let's set the number one rule: this must be fun. For a toddler, golf isn’t a sport of pars and birdies, it’s an activity. The entire goal is to build a positive association with the game. If they spend 10 minutes whacking a plastic ball and the next 10 minutes trying to stack them like building blocks, you've had a successful session. Pressure to perform or get it "right" is the quickest way to make them lose interest.

Safety is equally important. Always conduct your "lessons" in a wide-open space, far from windows, cars, or other people. A backyard or an empty park is perfect. Supervision is non-negotiable. Even with plastic equipment, a toddler swinging a club requires your full attention to keep them and everyone around them safe.

Gearing Up Your Little Golfer

Adult clubs are an absolute no-go. They are far too heavy, long, and dangerous for a small child. The good news is that there are fantastic, purpose-built options for toddlers that are safe, effective, and won’t break the bank.

The Clubs

Look for a beginner plastic golf set. These often come with one or two lightweight clubs (usually a putter and an iron/wedge) and are brightly colored to capture a child's attention. The clubs should be short enough for your toddler to hold comfortably without having to crouch excessively. The weight is the most important factor, it should be light enough for them to swing easily without losing their balance.

The "Balls"

Standard golf balls are too hard and heavy. Start with something much softer and more forgiving. Excellent options include:

• Plastic Wiffle Balls: They’re lightweight, they don’t travel far, and they can’t cause any damage. Perfect for indoor or backyard play.
• Oversized Foam Balls: These are easier for a toddler to see and make contact with, which builds confidence quickly.
• SNAG (Starting New at Golf) Balls: These are slightly larger than a regular golf ball and have a tennis-ball-like construction. They "stick" to special hook-and-loop fabric targets, making target games even more fun.

The "Holes"

Forget digging up your lawn. A toddler’s golf hole can be anything that serves as a target. Use your imagination! A cut-out box, a sand bucket turned on its side, a hula hoop lying on the grass, or even just a colorful towel spread on the ground can be the “green.” The goal is to give them a clear, fun objective.

The Toddler "Swing": Focus on Motion, Not Mechanics

As a golf coach, my instinct is to talk about grip, posture, and swing plane. With a toddler, you have to throw all of that out the window. Trying to teach a proper Vardon grip or talk about hip rotation will lead to nothing but frustration for both of you. The mission here is to develop basic hand-eye coordination through a natural, playful motion.

Start with simple, action-oriented cues. A toddler isn’t going to understand "hinge your wrists." But they will understand:

• "Let's tap the ball to the bucket!"
• "Push the ball gently with your club."
• "Swing the club like a tick-tock clock."

Demonstrate the motion yourself. Show them how to stand with their feet apart, put the ball in front of them, and make a small swing. Then, let them try. If they grab it like a hockey stick, that's okay. If they swing with one hand, wonderful. If they barely nick the ball but laugh while doing it, that’s a hole-in-one. Celebrate the attempt and the effort, not the perfect execution.

Your Backyard Becomes the Golf Course

You don't need access topristine fairways. Your backyard, a local park, or even your living room can be transformed into a toddler-friendly golf haven. Keeping the "course" small and manageable is essential. A "hole" should be no more than a few feet away to start.

Create a simple, one-hole course that you can play over and over again. Maybe it’s a 5-foot putt to a small bucket. Or maybe it’s a 10-foot "chip" shot over a pillow. The familiarity will build their confidence. Gradually add silly obstacles to keep things interesting. Have them putt through a tunnel made from a cardboard box or try to chip a foam ball over a line of their favorite stuffed animals. Making it a game transforms "practice" into "play."

Drills That Are Actually Just Fun Games

Structured drills are out, playful challenges are in. Frame every activity as a game with a fun-sounding name. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Bucket Toss: Place a bucket or a laundry basket about 5-10 feet away. The goal is simple: hit the ball and try to get it to stay inside the bucket. Celebrate every time the ball lands inside!
• Target Practice: Set up a few light, soft targets like empty plastic bottles or stuffed animals. See if they can roll or tap the ball to knock them over. It combines the fun of bowling with the motion of golf.
• Putting Race: Set up a starting line and a "hole" a few feet away. On "go," you both try to putt your balls into the hole. Who can get it in first? This adds a friendly competitive element that toddlers often enjoy.
• Golf Croquet: Set up a few “wickets” using pool noodles bent into arches or cardboard boxes with holes cut out. The game is to hit the ball through each wicket in order.
• Follow the Leader: This is the simplest game of all. You take a gentle swing or a small putt, and they try to copy what you just did. It’s a great way to demonstrate movement without having to explain it.

Managing Expectations (Especially Your Own)

This might be the most important part of the entire process. Your enthusiasm for golf is wonderful, but it needs to be tempered with the reality of a toddler's world. Their attention span is fleeting. A 10- or 15-minute Session is a massive victory. Don't push for more.

When the session is over, it’s over. If they get distracted and start playing with a passing butterfly, let them. If they decide the golf club is a horse, let the horse galloping begin. The moment it stops being fun is the moment you should wrap it up for the day. Forcing them to continue will only create a negative feeling about the activity.

Praise their effort constantly. Focus on what they’re doing, not the outcome. "What a big swing!" is much better than telling them they missed the ball. "I love how you watched the ball!" is better than commenting on where the ball went. This makes them feel successful just for trying, which is exactly the feeling you want to cultivate.

The First Visit to a Real Golf Facility

Once your toddler is consistently enjoying their backyard sessions, you might consider a trip to a real golf facility. The key here is to choose your location and timing wisely.

Start with a driving range or a putting green, not a full-length golf course. Go at an off-peak time, like a weekday afternoon, when it’s less crowded. This reduces the pressure on you and your child and minimizes distractions.

Keep the visit brief. The goal isn’t to hit a whole bucket of balls. It's about a novel experience.Hit a few balls, let them practice on the putting green, and then end the trip with a treat like ice cream. You want them to remember the entire experience as a fantastic outing, not just the golf part.

Final Thoughts

Introducing your toddler to golf is a beautiful way to share something you love, creating memories that go far beyond the game itself. By prioritizing safety and fun, using the right gear, and approaching it all with a heaping dose of patience, you give them the best possible start - one rooted in joy and playfulness.

As coach and mentor to your children, your focus will be on sharing what you have learned as an expeirenced adult, which means you have to really simplify it down, making it perfect for your kid. Meanwhile, when the little one is napping, as your own golf game gets more serious, simplicity and direct advice are just as vital for improvement. At Caddie AI, we help you get that same-clarity on the golf course with immediate. Get instant, pro-level feebdack on your course startegic decisions - or any other random question ahtat pops into your head. That all helps you play with more confidence and enjoy the game even more.