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Lesson 6 - Course Navigation Skills

Precision Striking and Strategic Golf Skills

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Year 4

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Golf

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1h 9min

Big Question

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

Golf Clubs

1 per pair (15 total)

Check clubs for damage, appropriate size for Year 4 students

Alternative: Hockey sticks, rounders bats for modified version

Golf Balls

2 per pair (30 total)

Use softer balls if space is limited or for safety concerns

Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety

Cones

40 total (10 each: white, green, yellow, blue)

White=tees, Green=targets, Yellow=bunkers, Blue=water hazards

Alternative: Coloured markers, hoops, bean bags

Hoops

15 (5 green, 5 yellow, 5 blue)

Green=targets, Yellow=sand hazards, Blue=water hazards

Alternative: Coloured rope circles, chalk circles

Scorecards

1 per student (30 total)

Pre-prepared with hole numbers and par information

Alternative: Clipboards with paper, tablets for digital scoring

Measuring Tapes

For setting up driving range distances accurately

Alternative: Marked cones at 5-metre intervals

Key Vocabulary

Par

The number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole

Hazard

Areas on the golf course that present challenges, such as water or sand bunkers

Fairway

The main playing area between tee and green where grass is cut short

Fore

Warning shout used in golf to alert others of an approaching ball

Etiquette

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

Consistent ball contact with iron

Appropriate club selection for different situations

Demonstrates sporting values throughout play

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