Lesson 5 - Chipping Accuracy & Hazards
Foundation Skills & Course Play
•Year 3
•Golf
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How can I use different golf techniques to navigate around hazards and hit my target?
Learning Objectives
- Strike the ball with increasing accuracy using chipping technique
- Demonstrate understanding of golf course hazards and club selection
- Evaluate peer performance using correct technical golf vocabulary
Key Outcomes
- Students will chip golf balls over obstacles with improved accuracy
- Students will identify appropriate strategies for avoiding golf course hazards
- Students will use technical language to assess and support teammates
Equipment & Resources Required
Check grips are clean and clubs appropriate height for Year 3
Alternative: Hockey sticks for basic technique, foam clubs for safety
Use softer balls indoors, regulation balls for outdoor practice
Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls for beginners
Green=fairway, Blue=water, White=tee, Yellow=bunker
Alternative: Coloured markers, bean bags
Different colours for target variation and point scoring
Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles
Height appropriate for chipping practice (30-40cm)
Alternative: Pool noodles on cones, rope barriers
Mark waiting positions and safety zones clearly
Alternative: Safety markers, rope boundaries
Height adjustable for different skill levels
Alternative: Small cones, markers
Key Vocabulary
A short golf shot designed to lift the ball slightly and land it on the target area
The main playing area of a golf hole with short, well-maintained grass
An obstacle on a golf course such as water, bunkers, or rough ground
A sand-filled depression on a golf course that makes shots more difficult
How a golfer positions their body and feet when preparing to hit the ball
The continuation of the swing after hitting the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic golf grip and stance from previous lessons
- Understanding of safety procedures with golf equipment
- Experience with putting techniques
- Basic knowledge of golf course terminology
Current Skills
- Chipping technique with irons
- Club selection for different shots
- Hazard identification and avoidance strategies
- Peer assessment using technical vocabulary
Next Steps
- Longer distance shots with drivers
- Course management and strategic play
- Competition play with scoring
- Advanced shot selection and technique refinement
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Safety first - proper spacing and turn-taking procedures essential for safe club use
- Grip technique - dominant hand low, non-dominant high, hands touching for control
- Stance foundation - shoulder-width feet, slight knee bend, weight on balls of feet
- Ball position - central between feet with club positioned just behind ball
- Chipping swing - reduced backswing to knee height, smooth follow-through to target
- Peer assessment - use specific golf vocabulary to provide constructive feedback
- Strategic thinking - target selection based on ability and risk assessment
Common Misconceptions
- Students think harder swings produce better results - emphasise control and technique over power
- Belief that perfect shots happen immediately - reinforce that improvement comes through practice and patience
- Assumption that golf is individual only - highlight teamwork, support, and peer learning opportunities
- Misconception that expensive equipment is needed - demonstrate success with basic, appropriate equipment
- Thinking that golf course knowledge isn't important - connect hazard awareness to strategic play and success
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with clear transitions, physical movement breaks between instructions, clear boundaries and expectations, positive reinforcement system
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls for easier contact, simplified grip techniques, extra practice time for coordination development, clear step-by-step instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure with visual schedule, quiet zones available for overwhelm, predictable turn-taking system, advance warning of activity changes
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, utilise buddy system for guidance and spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations with written instructions, hand signals for key commands, visual cues for turn-taking and safety procedures
physical disability
- Adapted grip aids for club holding, seated or modified stance options, shorter clubs or lighter equipment, reduced distance targets
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances to targets, calculating scores and averages, understanding angles of ball flight and club face positions
Science
Forces and motion in golf swings, gravity affecting ball flight, friction between club and ball, trajectory and momentum principles
Geography
Course layout and navigation, reading terrain and obstacles, understanding spatial relationships and positioning
PSHE
Goal setting and perseverance, supporting others through encouragement, managing disappointment when shots don't work, celebrating diverse achievements
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at corner of practice area for visibility of all groups, move systematically between groups for individual support
Observation Focus
Watch for proper safety procedures, technique development, and effective peer assessment interactions
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for safety violations, provide individual technique support when students struggle, guide peer assessment conversations
Demonstration Notes
Use slow-motion demonstrations for technique clarity, exaggerate key positions for visual emphasis, narrate actions during demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Remember your grip - hands together!'
- •'Smooth swing, don't rush!'
- •'Keep your eye on the ball!'
- •'Check your stance - shoulder-width apart!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 25m x 20m clear space, preferably outdoor grass area with level ground
Surface Check
Level, dry surface free from holes, debris, or slippery areas that could cause falls
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Golf clubs checked for secure grips and appropriate length for Year 3 students
- •Golf balls inspected for cracks or damage before use
- •Benches stable and appropriate height (30-40cm) for safe obstacle practice
- •Cones in good condition with no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Club strikes during swing - inadequate spacing between students
- •Ball strikes - students in flight path of golf balls
- •Trips and falls over equipment or uneven surfaces
- •Collisions during warm-up activities or moving between stations
Risk Mitigation
- •Minimum 5m spacing between groups during chipping practice
- •Safety cone system ensuring students wait in designated areas
- •Clear flight paths with no students in ball trajectory zones
- •Controlled turn-taking system with explicit safety rules
- •Teacher positioned for maximum visibility of all groups
- •Emergency stop signal established and practiced
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all groups simultaneously during chipping practice
- •Monitor safety cone compliance and turn-taking procedures
- •Check proper club handling and grip during equipment distribution
- •Ensure adequate spacing maintained throughout lesson
Emergency Procedures
STOP signal immediately halts all activity. First aid kit accessible. Clear evacuation route identified. Contact procedures for serious injuries established.