Quick answer
Start with a place that has room for the whole swing and a missed shot. A supervised range is a good choice for real golf balls. At home, use soft practice balls only where the club and ball can stay clear of people, pets, and breakables. If the space is too small, roll a ball toward a target without a club.
Make room before the first swing
Before you bring out the balls, take a look around. Your child needs room for the club to move through the whole swing, including the finish. Then think about a ball that goes sideways or misses the target.
If either path reaches people, pets, windows, cars, or a walkway, choose a different spot or a smaller activity. You can still have a good golf afternoon with a simple rolling game.
Three checks before you play
- Clear the swing. Keep everyone well outside the club’s reach, including you. Allow extra room for your child to move their feet or turn unexpectedly.
- Check the ball’s path. Look beyond the target and to both sides. A beginner’s shot may go somewhere you didn’t expect.
- Supervise each turn. Only one child holds a club at a time. Put the club down before anyone collects balls.
Our backyard practice guide walks through setting up a spot at home.
Choose the activity for the space
- Backyard: Try gentle shots with soft practice balls only if both the swing and missed shots have room. Keep neighbors, paths, and pets in mind.
- Indoors: Start with rolling games or hand-placement practice while the club stays still. Ordinary rooms aren’t suitable for full swings.
- Driving range: Follow the facility’s rules, stay in your bay, and keep children behind the hitting line until it’s their turn.
- On the course: Wait until the people ahead are out of range, stay clear of other players’ swings, and follow course staff guidance.
For your first public practice visit, use our driving range checklist.
Using a hitting net
A hitting net gives your child a target, but a ball can miss it or rebound. Place the net in front of the golfer, in the direction of the shot, following the manufacturer’s setup and ball-use instructions. Inspect and secure it before practice.
Keep people and breakables clear of the area around and beyond the net. A net does not make a cramped room or shared yard suitable for full swings.
If you’re considering the Little Links Kids Golf Hitting Net, check its dimensions and setup instructions against your space first. For ball choices, read our practice-ball guide.
Keep the first game simple
Once you’ve checked the space, choose one nearby target and a few gentle turns. Show your child where to wait and when to put the club down. You can spend more time encouraging them when the routine is easy to follow.
Stop if your child becomes tired, starts waving the club, or can’t follow the safety direction. Another day is fine.
Comfort helps, but supervision comes first
Check that your child can hold the club securely and that the tee sits steadily. A training grip can show where the hands go, and a tee can make setting up the ball simpler.
You don’t need extra accessories to make a game worthwhile. You do need a club your child can control, enough room, and an adult watching every turn.
Take the same habits to the course
Waiting for a clear shot and putting the club down between turns are useful habits anywhere you play. On the course, help your child get ready without rushing, watch where the ball goes, and let faster groups through.
For a relaxed first outing, try our three-hole plan. Ask the course about a suitable starting spot before you go.
A few easy things to remember
- Film from well outside the swing and ball path.
- Collect balls only after the club is down and all swinging has stopped.
- Don’t aim toward a house, street, person, or pet, even with a net.
- If there isn’t room for the club, switch to rolling a ball by hand.
- End the game when your child is tired or no longer following the safety rule.
Questions parents ask
Where can a child practice golf at home?
Choose a space with room for the whole swing and a missed shot, away from people, pets, and breakables. Use soft practice balls and adult supervision. If there isn’t room for a club, try rolling a ball toward a target by hand.
Is a backyard always suitable for golf practice?
No. Check the swing space and every direction a missed ball could travel. A small or shared yard may be better for rolling games. Save real golf balls for a space designed for them.
Where should people stand while a child swings?
Well outside the entire swing and ball path, with extra room for the child to move unexpectedly. This includes the supervising adult and anyone filming. Stop swinging if anyone comes into that space.
Does a hitting net make a small space safe?
A net cannot replace enough space. Balls can miss it or rebound, and the club still needs room for the whole swing. Follow the net’s setup instructions and keep people and breakables clear around and beyond it.
What can kids practice indoors?
Try rolling a ball to a towel or practicing hand placement while the club stays still. Use only movements the room can comfortably accommodate. Ordinary rooms are not the place for full swings or real golf balls.
When should we stop practice?
Stop when your child is tired, starts swinging carelessly, or can’t follow the safety direction. You can try again another day; they don’t need one more shot to finish.
