Lesson 6 - Course Navigation Skills
Precision Striking and Strategic Golf Skills
•Year 4
•Golf
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How can I use golf skills strategically while showing sporting values during tournament play?
Learning Objectives
- Develop technique in iron play and putting through purposeful practice
- Demonstrate understanding of golf course hazards and strategic play
- Apply scoring systems and golf terminology accurately
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved iron and putting technique in game situations
- Students will navigate around hazards using appropriate club selection
- Students will keep accurate scores and use golf terminology correctly
Equipment & Resources Required
Check clubs for damage, appropriate size for Year 4 students
Alternative: Hockey sticks, rounders bats for modified version
Use softer balls if space is limited or for safety concerns
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety
White=tees, Green=targets, Yellow=bunkers, Blue=water hazards
Alternative: Coloured markers, hoops, bean bags
Green=targets, Yellow=sand hazards, Blue=water hazards
Alternative: Coloured rope circles, chalk circles
Pre-prepared with hole numbers and par information
Alternative: Clipboards with paper, tablets for digital scoring
For setting up driving range distances accurately
Alternative: Marked cones at 5-metre intervals
Key Vocabulary
The number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole
Areas on the golf course that present challenges, such as water or sand bunkers
The main playing area between tee and green where grass is cut short
Warning shout used in golf to alert others of an approaching ball
The proper behaviour and manners expected on a golf course
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic golf swing mechanics with iron and putter
- Understanding of golf equipment and basic rules
- Experience of hitting balls towards targets
Current Skills
- Refined iron play technique with distance control
- Strategic thinking around hazard avoidance
- Tournament play with scoring and etiquette
Next Steps
- Course management and advanced strategy
- Developing consistency under pressure
- Leadership roles in organising tournaments
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Golf requires patience, practice, and sporting values - emphasise character development alongside skill
- Strategic thinking is as important as physical technique - encourage course management decisions
- Honest self-assessment and scoring develops integrity and personal responsibility
- Golf etiquette and respect for others creates positive sporting experiences for all
- Technical improvement comes through focused practice with specific feedback
- Tournament pressure reveals true character - celebrate resilience and good sportsmanship
- Golf is a lifelong sport - connect learning to future participation opportunities
Common Misconceptions
- Golf is only about hitting the ball hard - emphasise control and accuracy over power
- Cheating in scoring doesn't matter - reinforce honesty as fundamental to golf
- Good golfers never make mistakes - normalise errors as part of learning process
- Golf is an individual sport only - highlight partnership and team elements in school golf
- Expensive equipment is needed to play golf - show adaptable and accessible alternatives
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter hole rotations, regular positive feedback, clear role definitions during partner work
dyspraxia
- Larger targets and equipment, simplified club selection, additional technique practice time
autism spectrum
- Clear tournament structure and rules, quiet zones available, predictable rotation patterns
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of course layout, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstration emphasis, hand signals for quiet periods, written scorecard instructions
physical disability
- Adapted golf clubs or seated versions, modified distances and targets, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Scoring systems, measuring distances, calculating over/under par, statistics from tournament results
Science
Forces and motion in golf swings, trajectory and air resistance affecting ball flight, surface friction on different lies
Geography
Course design and mapping, understanding terrain and its effects on play, spatial awareness and orientation
PSHE
Honesty in self-scoring, resilience when facing challenges, respect for others and sporting values
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Mobile positioning during tournament to observe all groups, central position during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Golf technique development, strategic thinking application, sporting values demonstration
Intervention Points
Support struggling students with technique reminders, ensure etiquette standards maintained
Demonstration Notes
Model complete shot sequence for each club type, emphasise sporting values through personal example
Verbal Cues
- •'Smooth swing, follow through!'
- •'Think about your club choice - distance to target?'
- •'Remember golf etiquette - quiet and still!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for full golf activities, or adapted large indoor space
Surface Check
Flat, even surface suitable for ball rolling, free from holes or obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check golf clubs for damage and appropriate sizing
- •Ensure balls are suitable for space (softer alternatives if needed)
- •Verify cones and hoops are stable and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Golf club contact with other students during swings
- •Balls striking other participants or equipment
- •Trips over equipment during movement between holes
Risk Mitigation
- •Minimum 3-metre spacing during all hitting activities
- •Clear protocols for club handling and ball retrieval
- •Established boundaries and playing order
- •Constant supervision during tournament play
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear sight lines during simultaneous hole play
- •Monitor club handling during equipment transitions
- •Circulate during tournament to ensure safety protocols maintained
Emergency Procedures
STOP command for immediate activity cessation, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation route established