Play along · 01
About 2–6
They think golf is a game you play with a parent, not a sport you are behind in.
A week on this rung
2–3 weeknights
2–3 evenings, 10 minutes, after the other sport is done. Yard or carpet. You play too. No range.
The weekend
Family 3 holes. They tee it. You carry. Juice box on 3, go home. Leave before they ask.
You, this week
One short club that actually fits (Yard Club / first putter). Foam balls. Nothing from your bag.
Ten minutes, then ice cream. Coin-on-the-carpet putting. Hit the towel. Chase foam balls.
Putting · 8 min · House
A coin, a putter that is not taller than their chest, two pieces of tape as a gate.
Roll the ball through the gate so it stops on the coin. Five in a row, they pick the snack.
When the face gets serious. You already won.
Putting · 10 min · House
Same putter length as them. A mug or a tape cup. You go first — they copy your putt.
Miss and you get a letter. First to H-O-R-S-E carries the bag to the car. Make it, they have to make the same one.
One game. Do not play until somebody cries.
Putting · 10 min · Course
A bath towel covering the cup so they cannot ‘make’ it. Putter that fits.
Lag it onto the towel from 10–20 feet. Landing on the towel is a birdie. Missing the towel is a bogey. First to three birdies.
They will want the hole back. Not today. Speed first.
Up & down · 10 min · Backyard
A bath towel on the grass, foam balls, one short club.
Land it on the towel. Count loud. Race you.
Twenty balls, max. Leave them wanting the towel tomorrow.
Up & down · 10 min · Course
Just off the green. Putter only. A tee as the ‘hole’ if the green is busy.
Bump it through the fringe. Closest to the hole wins the hole. Play five holes around one green.
If they grab a wedge, the putter police take over. This shot exists so they don’t skull it.
The rest · 25 min · Course
A par-3 or the practice green as three made-up holes.
They tee it. You carry the bag. No swing tips. Ask which flag they want next.
Hole three, even if they beg for four — especially if they beg for four.
Your job is to not make this a lesson. Cheer contact. Sit down while they putt. Leave before they ask to leave.
If they would rather kick a ball, let them. The window stays open.