The gate
Putting · 12 min · House
Two tees just wider than the putter, 4 feet from a cup or mug.
If the putter hits a tee, it doesn’t count. Make 8 of 10.
If they mash it, move closer, not farther.
Already scoring · 02
First scores
About 5–8 · locals as the season
A fitted set and a 9-hole card from a tee they reach. U.S. Kids locals are the season. State events start to show up. Friends still matter.
A week on this rung
Nights after the other sport. Family on the weekend.
2–3 weeknights
2 nights, 15–20 minutes after the other sport. Gate putting, a towel chip, one good 7-iron. Home weeks only — event weeks the nights are rest.
The weekend
U.S. Kids local is the Saturday. Family 9 the other day so golf isn’t only a tournament. State weekend: that’s the whole weekend.
- Tue night. 15 min: the gate, or 3–6–9. After the other practice.
- Thu night. Off if Saturday is an event. Otherwise a towel from 8 paces.
- Saturday. U.S. Kids local. You caddie. No swing talk on the first tee.
- Sunday. Family 9 from their tee, or off. Not a second event.
You, this week
- Enter the local. Pack snacks. Know the tee time.
- Coach talks to them, not to you.
- The local tour is enough starts. Don’t add a second circuit this year.
Clubs that fit
U.S. Kids UL7 in the right 3-inch band. Seven clubs if they walk 9 every weekend. Re-measure every season.
Where they compete
- U.S. Kids Golf local tour — this is the home calendar, not a tryout
- U.S. Kids state / multi-day when they can finish 18 (or 9+9) without melting down
- Operation 36 Level 2–3 (50 then 100 yards) on the weeks they are home
- Youth on Course for cheap holes between events
How We Practice this week
Gate putting. Chip to a towel. One well-struck 7-iron, then stop. That is a session.
Around the clock
Putting · 12 min · Course
Four balls at 3 feet: north, east, south, west. Like a clock.
Make all four. Then take one step back and reset the clock. A miss restarts that ring. They call the time.
Three rings is a full session. Do not build a fourth because they ‘almost had it.’
One good 7-iron
The rest · 15 min · Range
Alignment stick on the ground, 7-iron only, 15 balls.
The session is over when they strike one that sounds right. They get to pick it.
Do not “just hit a few more.” That is how range rats are born.
Bump and run
Up & down · 12 min · Course
Fringe, a 7-iron or 9-iron that fits, a hole 8–12 paces on the green.
Land it one bounce on the green and let it roll. Five in a row inside a putter-length. Count out loud.
If they start opening the face, the 7-iron goes back in the bag and you walk.
Towel from 8 paces
Up & down · 12 min · Backyard
Towel, wedge, real balls if you have space, foam if you don’t.
Land, don’t roll. Five towels in a row is the round.
When the neighbors get a vote.
Shoot 36 from the green-side
Up & down · 40 min · Course
Nine starts, each 25 yards from a green (Operation 36 Level 1). Putter + wedge is enough.
Par is 4. Write every number. 36 or better is a party. 37 is data.
Nine holes. Not 12. Not “let’s redo 7.”
Your job
Pay for a coach who talks to them, not to you. The local tour is enough starts. You do not need a second circuit yet.
Skip HJGT majors. Skip Worlds as the first trip. Skip a 14-club adult bag. Skip Under Armour until 7 unless they ask.