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Lesson 3 - Iron Shots and Ball Striking

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 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

Golf Irons

11 total (9 right-handed, 2 left-handed)

Check clubs for damage, ensure appropriate length for Year 1

Alternative: Plastic golf clubs, hockey sticks with modified grip

Golf Balls

30 (foam or plastic for safety)

Use soft balls for indoor practice

Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls, bean bags

Tees

11 plastic tees

Bright coloured tees for visibility

Alternative: Small cones, bottle tops

Safety Cones

10-12

Place 6 feet behind each hitting position

Alternative: Spot markers, ropes for boundaries

Markers

30 mixed colours (blue, yellow, white)

Create three concentric circles for scoring zones

Alternative: Chalk circles, hula hoops, rope circles

Nets

1-2 if available

Set at appropriate height for Year 1

Alternative: Cardboard boxes, hula hoops on stands

Key Vocabulary

Iron

A golf club with a metal head used for medium distance shots

Tee

A small peg used to elevate the ball for the first shot

Stance

How you position your feet and body when preparing to hit

Trajectory

The path the ball takes through the air

Hazards

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

Consistent ball contact with iron

Appropriate use of tee for elevation

Safe movement around practice area

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