Fun Golf Games for Young Kids: Make the Course a Playground

October 29, 2025

Golf with young kids can be lighthearted, creative, and a fun way to introduce them to a sport they’ll enjoy for years to come. You can make it even more engaging by turning practice into games — like using targets to work on their swing or creating challenges that keep them active and entertained. Even while on the course, simple activities like scavenger hunts or counting how many birds they spot can keep things fun and help pass the time. Using insights from Golf Digest’s article “The best golf games to play with a young child” (Madeline MacClurg, June 3, 2025), and Putting World's Guide to Putting Drills for Kids, here’s how to turn a short session into a laugh-filled, confidence-building adventure.

The Power of Short, Game-Filled Sessions in Kids’ Learning

Kids have limited attention spans - and that’s okay! The article notes that even a 20-minute session of play can be ideal for learning and engagement. Gamifying golf makes practice feel like play, not a chore. As U.S. Kids Master Kids Coach Brian Burgwyn puts it: “Sometimes, the best way to practice is where they don’t realize that they’re practicing.” Golf Digest

Building Skills with Fun Putting Drills

As outlined in Putting World's Guide to Putting Drills for Kids, putting is an excellent way to introduce children to golf because it involves a simpler technique than full swings, making it easier for them to grasp the fundamentals such as proper alignment, grip, and posture. It also offers immediate rewards upon success, which helps to build their confidence and enthusiasm for the game. Starting kids off with putting drills is a fun and effective way to kickstart their golf journey. Putting World

With that in mind, here are some fun — and effective — games that are crafted for junior golfers. These drills are meant to keep things light, engaging, and growth‑oriented.

The Golf Ball Ladder

This putting drill is designed to help children improve both their distance control and accuracy. To set it up, arrange a line of tees or markers spaced about three to four feet apart on a putting green or practice mat. Place a golf ball at each marker, beginning with the closest one. The child then stands at the first marker and putts the ball toward the second, aiming to complete all three putts consecutively. Once they become comfortable with the distances, you can increase the spacing between the cones to provide a greater challenge and further develop their skills.

The Obstacle Course

This engaging drill helps kids enhance their putting accuracy while learning to maneuver around obstacles on the green. To set it up, gather three golf balls, a putter, and some small objects like tees, or toys to act as obstacles. Arrange these items on the putting surface to form a zigzag or maze-like course. Place a golf ball at the starting position, then encourage the child to putt the ball through the course and into a target area or hole. To make it more exciting, keep track of how many putts it takes to finish and encourage them to beat their score with each try.

Tic-Tac-Toe Putting

Teach aim, speed control, and strategy with a classic twist. Draw a tic-tac-toe grid on the putting green using tees, string, or chalk. Players take turns putting from 5–10 feet and try to get three in a row - or even knock their opponent’s ball out of the grid. It’s simple, competitive, and sharpens both precision and tactical thinking.

Putting “Bowling”

Bring a touch of mini-bowling to the green. As a Senior Program Director for First Tee of Metropolitan New York, Anthony Rodriguez recommends this game for its lesson in putting stroke length and putter face control, as well as reading green speeds and slopes. Arrange ten tees upside-down like pins, then roll or putt a ball from 5-8 feet away and knock down as many as you can. Score it like bowling!

Taking the Next Step: Games That Teach the Full Swing

Once kids start feeling confident on the putting green, it’s a great time to introduce them to the excitement of the full swing. This next step lets young golfers explore power, rhythm, and coordination in a fun way — without overwhelming them with technique. Through creative games that mix movement, imagination, and repetition, kids can learn to swing freely, make solid contact, and develop a love for the full game, not just the short one.

Wild Shots and Imagination

For days when setting up games feels tedious, Brian Burgwyn recommends playful challenges - like asking your child to hit a shot high, left, or even at a funny target. On hot days, substitute hitting golf balls on the driving range with whacking water balloons in the backyard to add a splash of fun. U.S. Kids Master Kids Teacher Dona Lerner suggests that even hitting pine cones in the backyard or launching giant marshmallows out of a bunker can spark joy. Always encourage creativity and experimentation!

Parent-Child Scramble

Turn teaching into a team effort. Play a parent-child scramble starting around the green. This collaborative game builds confidence and teaches course navigation in a playful context. Strategize, take turns teeing off, and work toward a goal together.

Final Thoughts: Building Joy, One Game at a Time

These activities not only develop key skills but also help nurture a lasting enthusiasm for the game. Creating a supportive and enjoyable atmosphere is crucial, as it allows children to learn at their own speed without pressure. With regular practice and patience, young golfers can build solid golfing skills and grow into passionate players who enjoy the sport for years to come. Letting a child experience success early fosters confidence: when the ball drops, it sparks pride, enjoyment, and the desire to play more.

Golf with kids doesn’t need to be a formal lesson - it can be a short, playful adventure. A round of tic-tac-toe putting, a goofy scramble, or a marshmallow showdown can do more to connect your child with the game than a dozen swings on repeat.

Embrace the question you want to hear most: “When can we play again?” That’s the real win.