Lesson 1 - Golf Putting Fundamentals
Golf Skills & Ball Control
•Year 1
•Golf
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How can we use our hands and eyes together to roll a ball exactly where we want it to go?
Learning Objectives
- Develop fundamental golf grip and putting stance
- Practice accurate ball rolling towards targets
- Demonstrate safe equipment sharing and spatial awareness
Key Outcomes
- Students will grip a golf club correctly and adopt appropriate putting stance
- Students will successfully putt balls towards targets with increasing accuracy
- Students will work safely in defined spaces whilst sharing equipment appropriately
Equipment & Resources Required
Store safely in equipment area, check for damage before use
Alternative: Hockey sticks, cricket bats for grip practice
Use brightly coloured balls for better visibility
Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags
White, green, yellow, blue for course features; red for safety zones
Alternative: Markers, bean bags
Various colours for different target values
Alternative: Chalk circles, small hoops
Different sizes for varied challenge levels
Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles
Key Vocabulary
How we hold the golf club with our hands working together
Rolling the golf ball along the ground towards a target
How we position our feet and body when preparing to hit the ball
The starting area where we begin each hole in golf
The place we are aiming to hit or reach with our ball
A warning shout in golf to tell others to duck for safety
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball rolling and catching skills
- Understanding of taking turns and sharing
- Ability to follow simple instructions
Current Skills
- Golf club grip fundamentals
- Basic putting stance and technique
- Target accuracy with golf balls
Next Steps
- Longer distance putting
- Introduction to chipping
- Course management basics
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Grip formation with hands working together like a team
- Stable superhero stance with knees slightly bent
- Smooth pendulum motion like a grandfather clock
- Head position remaining still during putting motion
- Power control through backswing length adjustment
- Safety awareness with equipment handling and FORE calls
- Positive peer feedback and encouragement
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking harder hits always reach targets better - teach control over power
- Believing grip doesn't matter - emphasise hands working together
- Assuming all putts need same power - teach distance adjustment
- Expecting immediate accuracy - celebrate improvement and effort
- Thinking golf is individual only - highlight teamwork elements
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries marked, regular movement breaks, specific roles and responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Larger, lighter equipment, simplified grip teaching, extra practice time, adult support for coordination
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedules for activities, quiet spaces available, consistent routines, predictable equipment placement
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, audio cues for target directions, tactile grip guidance, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations for all instructions, hand signals for safety calls, written instruction cards, peer support
physical disability
- Seated putting options, modified shorter clubs, larger targets, adapted grip supports, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting points and cones, measuring distances, calculating team scores, understanding greater than/less than with point values
Science
Forces in putting motion, friction between ball and surface, gravity effects on slopes, pendulum motion principles
Geography
Spatial awareness, direction and distance, reading ground contours and slopes, mapping golf course features
PSHE
Taking turns fairly, encouraging others, dealing with disappointment, celebrating success, working as team members
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear sightlines to all groups, rotate between activities for individual coaching
Observation Focus
Watch for correct grip formation, stable stance position, smooth putting motion, and safe equipment handling
Intervention Points
Step in for grip corrections, stance adjustments, safety reminders, and positive encouragement
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Exaggerate correct grip positioning for visibility, show stance stability with gentle nudges, model smooth pendulum putting motion
Verbal Cues
- •'Hands work together like a team!'
- •'Smooth like a grandfather clock!'
- •'Head still as a statue!'
- •'Small backswing, smooth follow-through!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or playground area minimum 20m x 15m with clear boundaries
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from obstacles, suitable for ball rolling
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check putters for cracks or sharp edges
- •Ensure foam/plastic balls are not damaged
- •Cones placed securely and not creating trip hazards
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Club contact with other students
- •Slipping while putting
- •Collisions when collecting balls or cones
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear swing zones established around each putter
- •Designated directions for putting to avoid crossing paths
- •FORE safety call practice for emergency situations
- •Adult supervision during equipment handling
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all putting areas
- •Monitor equipment sharing and safety
- •Immediate intervention for unsafe behaviours
Emergency Procedures
STOP signal stops all activity immediately, assess any injuries, provide appropriate first aid, complete accident forms if required