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.
Play along · 03
Nines, then 18s
About 11–15
They can finish a round with friends. Public course, YOC ticket, or a family membership. Still no tour.
A week on this rung
Nights after the other sport. Family on the weekend.
2–3 weeknights
2 nights, 20 minutes. One putting, one up-and-down. After the other sport. They can own the last 5 minutes.
The weekend
Family 9 or 18. School golf if they have a match. Still a tee time with you on the other day.
- Mon night. 20 min: 3–6–9 putting after homework / the other practice.
- Wed night. 20 min: bump-and-run or clock around the green, if you can get on.
- Saturday. Family 9 or 18 from a tee they reach. They post the score if they want.
- Sunday. Off, or a second 9 with a friend. You can drop them.
You, this week
- Book the time. Stay quiet after contact.
- eClub / district GHIN only if they want a number.
- Do not turn Saturday into a lesson.
Clubs that fit
Keep fitting height. Do not buy a tour bag for a kid who plays twice a month. Superstore / U.S. Kids, then stop.
Where the week goes
- Youth on Course and the muni — 9s, then 18s when they want them
- Drive, Chip & Putt as a fun day, not a pipeline
- School golf if it exists and they want teammates
- eClub / district GHIN if they want a number — not a private-club initiation
- A weekend nine with you still counts as golf
How We Practice this week
Short game, then a 9. How we practice → 8–12 or 13 and up, can finish 9.
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
Book the time. Stay quiet. Optional handicap through the district association. Home course page has the public vs private math.
Skip HJGT. Skip AJGA. Skip ‘we should get them seen.’ There is nothing to see yet, and that’s fine.