Family Golf: How To Keep Kids Smiling From The First Tee To The Last Putt

August 29, 2025

Golf doesn’t have to be a serious, adults-only sport. In fact, it’s one of the best family activities you can share with your kids. The golf course can be a playground for laughter, curiosity, and bonding - if you approach it with the right mindset.

Drawing on insights from Golf Digest’s article, “How to reward a kid the right way (keep them obsessed with golf),” as well as advice from top psychologists and professional players, this guide will show you how to have fun with your kids at the golf course while helping them fall in love with the game for life.

Why Fun Matters More Than Scores

Many parents unintentionally turn golf into a pressure cooker. Promises like “We’ll go to Dairy Queen if you break 50” might motivate in the short term, but experts warn this creates the “Dairy Queen Syndrome.” When kids only play for treats or trophies, they lose sight of why golf is fun in the first place.

Instead, emphasize joy over results. Whether your child shoots par or struggles to make contact, the day is a success if they leave smiling and want to come back.

Praise the Effort, Not Just the Outcome

Psychologists agree: kids thrive when effort is recognized. Instead of saying, “Great round, you won!”, try:

• “I love how you kept trying even after that tough hole.”

• “Great job focusing on your swing today.”

• “You had such a positive attitude out there.”

This approach builds resilience and self-confidence, showing kids that golf is about learning, not perfection.

Fun Golf Games for Kids

18 holes 9 holes can feel overwhelming. Turn golf into a series of games that keep kids laughing and engaged:

• Longest Putt Challenge – Who can sink the longest putt on the practice green?

• Closest to the Pin – Pick a short target and see who lands closest.

• Par-3 Night – Many courses have short holes or “family tees” that make play quicker and more fun.

• Imagination Shots – Encourage your kids to hit a “super low shot” or curve it around a tree.

  
  

Making golf playful keeps kids curious and creative - two traits that fuel long-term love for the game.

Best Snacks to Bring on the Golf Course

Food makes everything more fun, especially for kids. Professional players like Annika Sorenstam recall childhood golf memories built around ice cream outings after the round - not just wins.

Here are a few kid-friendly golf snacks to pack:

• Granola bars or trail mix

• Apple slices or orange wedges

• Mini sandwiches or wraps

• Fun treats (cookies, gummies) for after the round

Make It a Social Experience

Golf becomes magical when it’s paired with friends, food, and family. To keep it social, you can:

• Invite another family to play with you.

• Turn range time into a group game.

• Schedule “fun nights” with golf and pizza.

  
  

Pia Nilsson, co-founder of VISION54, says one of the best ways to reward kids is by combining practice with social fun - like grabbing cinnamon rolls with friends after a session.

Keep It Short and Sweet

One of the easiest mistakes parents make is pushing too long. Kids have shorter attention spans, and nothing kills enthusiasm like exhaustion.

LPGA pro Brittany Lincicome’s favorite childhood memories weren’t long days - they were quick nine-hole rounds on par-3 courses with family.

Follow this golden rule from Golf Digest instructor Erika Larkin: “Leave while everyone is still smiling.” Ending on a high note guarantees your kids will want to return.

Choose the Right Equipment for Junior Golf

Kids don’t need a full bag of 14 clubs. Golf Digest equipment editor Jonathan Wall recommends starting with just five — and at Cub Golf, we couldn’t agree more.

• Driver

• Fairway wood

• 7-iron

• Wedge

• Putter

  
  

Lightweight, junior-sized clubs make the game more enjoyable and reduce frustration. Remember: it’s about sparking joy, not building a tour-ready bag of clubs on day one.

Life Lessons Kids Can Learn From Golf

Beyond the swings, golf is an incredible teacher of values. PGA Tour player Ryan Palmer shared that his dad didn’t coach technique - he modeled etiquette and respect.

On the course, encourage kids to:

• Shake hands and thank their playing partners.

• Fix divots and repair ball marks on greens.

• Keep honest scorecards.

These lessons will stay with your kids long after they leave the course.

Affordable and Creative Golf Options

Not every family has easy access to a country club. Luckily, golf can be found anywhere:

• Mini-golf courses

• Driving ranges with fun targets (like Topgolf)

• Backyard putting greens (even those cut with a standard lawn mower!)

• Even hitting balls in a local field or golf store demo area

PGA Tour pro Ben Griffin recalls practicing at Golf Galaxy as a kid. The point isn’t where you play - it’s that you’re playing together.

Parent Tips: How to Keep Golf Fun

Here’s a quick checklist to make your family golf outings successful:

• Keep rounds short and playful

• Praise effort, curiosity, and sportsmanship

• Pack snacks and make it social

• Use kid-friendly equipment

• Encourage imagination and “fun shots”

• Leave while the smiles are still big

Final Thoughts: Creating Lifelong Golf Memories

When you boil it all down, kids don’t need perfect swings, new clubs, or scorecard rewards to fall in love with golf. What they really need is you - a parent willing to laugh with them, cheer for them, and make the golf course feel like a second playground.

So next time you head out, focus less on the numbers and more on the smiles. Because the real reward isn’t a trophy - it’s your child turning to you and saying:

“When can we go back?”