Lesson 3 - Iron Shots and Ball Striking
Golf Skills & Ball Control
•Year 1
•Golf
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How can we use different golf clubs to make the ball fly through the air?
Learning Objectives
- To develop the technique for striking a golf ball with an iron
- To understand when and why to use a tee for iron shots
- To demonstrate awareness of golf safety rules and boundaries
Key Outcomes
- Students will strike the ball consistently using proper iron technique
- Students will set up correctly for iron shots with appropriate stance
- Students will show understanding of golf course hazards and scoring
Equipment & Resources Required
Check clubs for damage, ensure appropriate length for Year 1
Alternative: Plastic golf clubs, hockey sticks with modified grip
Use soft balls for indoor practice
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls, bean bags
Bright coloured tees for visibility
Alternative: Small cones, bottle tops
Place 6 feet behind each hitting position
Alternative: Spot markers, ropes for boundaries
Create three concentric circles for scoring zones
Alternative: Chalk circles, hula hoops, rope circles
Set at appropriate height for Year 1
Alternative: Cardboard boxes, hula hoops on stands
Key Vocabulary
A golf club with a metal head used for medium distance shots
A small peg used to elevate the ball for the first shot
How you position your feet and body when preparing to hit
The path the ball takes through the air
Obstacles on a golf course like water or sand bunkers
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic grip and stance from previous lessons
- Understanding of safety rules in golf
- Experience with putting techniques
Current Skills
- Iron club grip and setup
- Ball striking technique with trajectory
- Understanding of tees and their purpose
Next Steps
- Different iron clubs and their uses
- Course management and strategy
- Chip shots around the green
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain sideways stance with ball positioned midway between feet
- Keep head still and eyes on ball throughout the swing
- Use straight arms on backswing with wrist hinge at the top
- Strike upward through the ball using the tee as guide
- Emphasise control and accuracy over power and distance
- Always maintain safety zones and proper equipment handling
- Encourage peer coaching and positive teammate support
Common Misconceptions
- Children often think hitting harder makes them better - emphasise control and technique instead
- Many believe they should look up immediately after hitting - teach to keep head down until ball is away
- Students may grip the club like a baseball bat - demonstrate proper golf grip repeatedly
- Some think the tee is just for decoration - explain its purpose for elevation and clean contact
- Children may focus only on their own performance - encourage team support and peer coaching
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter turns with quick rotations, clear physical boundaries, regular movement and position changes
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls for easier contact, simplified grip instruction, extra practice time provided
autism spectrum
- Clear routine and structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and tees, provide verbal descriptions of target locations, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, hand signals for safety, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Adapted club grips available, seated hitting positions if needed, modified target distances
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting and adding scores, measuring distances to targets, understanding circles and zones
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, trajectory and gravity effects, cause and effect in ball striking
Geography
Spatial awareness and direction, understanding of boundaries and zones, mapping target areas
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, supporting others' learning, building confidence and resilience
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups to observe technique, position centrally during demonstrations for maximum visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for grip consistency, stance setup, safety compliance, and peer interaction quality
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for safety issues, provide technique corrections before bad habits form
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Use slow, exaggerated movements for technique, ensure all children can see, repeat key points multiple times
Verbal Cues
- •'Eyes on the ball!'
- •'Smooth and controlled!'
- •'Safety first - check your space!'
- •'Help your teammate improve!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m clear area, marked hitting zones with safety barriers
Surface Check
Even ground surface, free from holes or debris, suitable for safe movement
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check golf clubs for damage or loose grips
- •Ensure tees are plastic and unbroken
- •Use soft golf balls appropriate for age group
- •Safety cones clearly visible and properly positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Club strikes to other children
- •Flying golf balls hitting bystanders
- •Trips and falls during ball retrieval
- •Unsafe equipment handling
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear safety zones established with cones
- •Only one person swinging at a time per group
- •Supervised ball retrieval procedures
- •Proper club carrying and storage protocols
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all hitting areas
- •Monitor safety zone compliance
- •Watch for proper equipment handling
- •Ensure orderly transitions between activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately if unsafe behaviour observed, assess any injuries, provide appropriate first aid