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Lesson 1 - Golf Putting Fundamentals

Golf Skills & Ball Control

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Year 1

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Golf

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45 min

Big Question

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

Golf Clubs

11 (1 between 2-3 students)

Store safely in equipment area, check for damage before use

Alternative: Hockey sticks, cricket bats for grip practice

Golf Balls (Foam/Plastic)

30 (1 per student)

Use brightly coloured balls for better visibility

Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags

Coloured Cones

30-40 mixed colours

White, green, yellow, blue for course features; red for safety zones

Alternative: Markers, bean bags

Mats

Various colours for different target values

Alternative: Chalk circles, small hoops

Hoops

6-8

Different sizes for varied challenge levels

Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles

Key Vocabulary

Grip

How we hold the golf club with our hands working together

Putting

Rolling the golf ball along the ground towards a target

Stance

How we position our feet and body when preparing to hit the ball

Tee

The starting area where we begin each hole in golf

Target

The place we are aiming to hit or reach with our ball

FORE

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

Consistent correct grip without reminders

3 out of 5 putts reach intended target area

Demonstrates understanding of putting power control

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