To play a round with your children, choose a number of holes that suits their experience and check the club’s conditions for children. Before you tee off, explain the safety basics, respect for other players and care of the course, often summed up in the word “etiquette”.
Choosing the number of holes and the tees
Ask whether children can play the course, which tees to use and whether they need to be accompanied. A few holes or a short course can be right for a first outing.
Plan for the practical side: water, suitable clothing, equipment in their size and the option of finishing early. If your child has lessons, ask their coach which holes and which tees suit them.
Staying safe and quiet during each shot
When someone is about to hit, the others stay clear of their club, in a safe position. Ask the children to wait for you before they move towards their ball. Nobody walks in front of a player who is ready to play.
Teach them to stop talking and moving while another player prepares and plays their shot. The R&A counts safety and consideration for others among the standards of conduct expected of players.
Respecting the pace of other players
Get your equipment ready when it will not disturb anyone. Once the hole is finished, leave the green before talking over the shots or spending time on the scores.
In an introductory round, you can agree to pick up the ball if a hole drags on. Plan for this before you tee off. A competition follows its own rules. If your group is holding up the players behind, follow the club’s guidance on letting them play through.
Divots, pitch marks and bunkers
Show them how to replace a divot according to local guidance, repair a pitch mark on the green and smooth out the marks in a bunker. Check your own technique before asking your child to copy it.