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Lesson 1 - Golf Grip and Putting Fundamentals

Foundation Golf Skills

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Year 2

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Golf

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45 min

Big Question

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

Putting Club

10 (1 per group of 3)

Check all clubs for damage, ensure appropriate length for Year 2

Alternative: Hockey sticks, large wooden spoons for adapted version

Softballs

30 (1 per student)

Use only foam balls indoors for safety

Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags, or soft playground balls

Coloured Cones

50 mixed colours (white=tees, green=greens, yellow=bunkers, blue=water)

Distribute around space before lesson, ensure visibility

Alternative: Coloured hoops, chalk marks, or laminated cards

Mats

20 (various colours)

Place flat on ground to avoid tripping hazards

Alternative: Paper plates, chalk circles, or carpet tiles

Hoops

Secure flat to ground or use weighted hoops

Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles, or bucket targets

Key Vocabulary

Grip

How you hold the golf club with your hands overlapping

Stance

How you position your feet and body when preparing to hit the ball

Putt

A gentle golf shot used on the green to roll the ball into the hole

Tee

The starting area where you begin each golf hole

Green

The smooth area around the hole where you putt

FORE

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

Consistent grip without reminders

Ball reaches intended target area 7/10 times

Demonstrates understanding of power adjustment

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