Lesson 1 - Golf Grip and Putting Fundamentals
Foundation Golf Skills
•Year 2
•Golf
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we control where our golf ball goes by changing how we hold the club and stand?
Learning Objectives
- To grip a golf club using the correct overlapping technique
- To adopt a stable putting stance and strike a ball towards a target
- To work safely and cooperatively whilst sharing equipment
Key Outcomes
- All students will be able to grip a golf club safely and attempt putting towards a target
- Most students will demonstrate correct grip and stance while consistently hitting targets
- Some students will show advanced control by adjusting power and accuracy for different distances
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all clubs for damage, ensure appropriate length for Year 2
Alternative: Hockey sticks, large wooden spoons for adapted version
Use only foam balls indoors for safety
Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags, or soft playground balls
Distribute around space before lesson, ensure visibility
Alternative: Coloured hoops, chalk marks, or laminated cards
Place flat on ground to avoid tripping hazards
Alternative: Paper plates, chalk circles, or carpet tiles
Secure flat to ground or use weighted hoops
Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles, or bucket targets
Key Vocabulary
How you hold the golf club with your hands overlapping
How you position your feet and body when preparing to hit the ball
A gentle golf shot used on the green to roll the ball into the hole
The starting area where you begin each golf hole
The smooth area around the hole where you putt
Warning shout in golf when a ball might hit someone
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills
- Understanding of target games from earlier units
- Ability to follow simple instructions and work in groups
Current Skills
- Correct golf club grip using overlapping technique
- Stable putting stance with feet shoulder-width apart
- Controlled putting motion with limited backswing
Next Steps
- Developing longer golf shots and chip shots
- Understanding course management and strategy
- Playing modified golf games with multiple holes
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Non-writing hand grips the club first, writing hand overlaps with little finger
- Putting stance requires feet shoulder-width apart with slightly bent knees
- Short backswing and smooth follow-through create better accuracy than power
- Head position must remain still throughout the putting motion
- Target selection strategy balances difficulty with reward potential
- Fair play and honesty are fundamental values in golf
- Equipment sharing requires patience, safety, and cooperation
Common Misconceptions
- Golf requires powerful swings - actually putting needs gentle, controlled motion
- Looking up quickly helps aim - keeping head still improves accuracy significantly
- Grip strength should be tight - relaxed grip provides better control and feel
- Biggest targets are always best choice - strategic target selection considers risk vs reward
- Golf is individual sport only - teamwork and encouragement enhance learning and enjoyment
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Short activity bursts with clear transitions, immediate feedback and praise, movement breaks built into activities, clear behavioural expectations
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment and targets, simplified grip instruction, extra practice time, breaking skills into smaller steps
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet space available if overwhelmed, consistent routines and predictable structure
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment and balls, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for spatial orientation
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for key commands, buddy support for verbal instructions
physical disability
- Seated putting option available, shorter/lighter clubs provided, closer target distances, alternative grip supports if needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting cones collected in games, adding points in Finders Keepers, measuring distances for putting practice, calculating team scores
Science
Forces and motion in ball rolling, friction effects on different surfaces, gravity effects on slopes, power and accuracy relationships
Geography
Spatial awareness and direction, understanding slopes and terrain, mapping course layouts and target positions
PSHE
Turn-taking and fair play, giving constructive feedback to peers, perseverance when facing challenges, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Circulate between groups during practice, central position for demonstrations and instructions
Observation Focus
Watch for correct grip retention, safe club handling, peer interaction quality, and skill progression
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for unsafe club use, provide technique support when students struggling, facilitate group dynamics if needed
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate grip slowly in stages, show putting motion in profile for clear viewing, use students as positive examples when possible
Verbal Cues
- •'Non-writing hand first!'
- •'Little finger overlaps!'
- •'Short backswing, smooth follow-through!'
- •'Keep your head still - count to 2!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or playground area minimum 20m x 15m, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Even surface checked for trip hazards, indoor foam balls only for hard surfaces
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all putters for damage and appropriate length
- •Ensure foam balls used indoors, inspect for tears
- •Verify all cones lie flat and secure
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Club striking other students during swing motion
- •Slips and trips over equipment
- •Collisions during ball retrieval
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with minimum 3m between groups
- •Strict turn-taking protocol with clubs
- •'FORE' emergency stop signal established
- •Adult supervision of all equipment distribution
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all groups during practice
- •Monitor club handling during equipment transitions
- •Ensure safe ball retrieval procedures followed
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately on 'FORE' call, assess any incidents, appropriate first aid response if needed