Golf like the Pros

Skill: Strike
Time Required: 20
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the play area.
Ensure there are no participants standing anywhere in front of, or too close to the participant driving the ball.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Be sure there is a leader monitoring the golfers and one monitoring the participants doing the other activities.
Equipment: 1 golf club (plastic) for each participant. Or if there are not enough, 1 for every two participants or 1 per group (groups will be 3-4 participants).
Plastic/practice golf balls or tennis balls (1 per participant golfing).
One little cone (tee) to put the "golf" balls on per hole.
One hoop (hole) per hole.
Beanbags and/or rope (optional) for bunkers and water hazards.
Objective:
For participants to play a round or hole of golf and practice their driving and putting.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
Ideally done outdoors where there is more room.
Depending on the size of the area, set up at least one hole for a golf game. If creating more than one hole, be sure to space out each hole and ensure they are not too close to each other.
Each hole will start with a little cone as the "tee" and end with a hoop as the hole.
The distance from tee to hole is dependent on the skill level of the participants. Make sure the hole is far enough away from the tee that it is not too easy for them to get too close to it on their first hit.
Could set up "bunkers" near the holes using a bunch of beanbags. Could also set up a water hazard using rope or marking it off with pylons.
Divide the participants into groups of 3-4, and try to have a leader with each group.
If there is not a lot of room for multiple holes, just set up one hole. Have each group take turns at the hole, and when they are all done, use the same area and change the location of the hole, tee and obstacles.
Step by Step:
1. Go over and/or teach participants how to hit a golf ball off a tee and how to putt.
2. Remind them to always hold the golf club at the top and with two hands, follow through when driving and don't hit the ball too hard when putting.
3. Have each group start at different holes. Or have one group start at the first hole, and have the other participants do an activity or exercise while they wait for their turn.
4. The goal for each participant is to get their ball in the hole with the fewest strokes (hits).
5. The first participant from the group will put their ball on the tee (cone). The rest of the participant will start behind and to the side of that participant.
6. The participant will stand with their feet pointed towards the ball, they will bring their club back, look at the ball swing, follow through, and hope they hit their ball towards the hole.
7. Teach the participants to yell "Fore" if their ball goes off course (this lesson could be very handy in their golf future, as it is for many golfers out there).
8. After they hit their ball, the next participant will put theirs on the tee and drive it towards the hole.
9. After each participant has teed off, participants will walk together to the furthest ball from the hole, and that participant will putt/hit their ball.
10. The participant with the second furthest ball will then hit their ball and so on.
11. For a less competitive game, play that each participant will hit their ball from the "best ball's" location, this is the ball that is closest to the hole.
12. The goal is to get their ball in the hole (hoop) using the fewest amount of strokes.
13. After each participant gets their ball in the hole, they can write down how many strokes it took them.
14. They move on to the next hole, or if there is only one hole, they leave the golf area and go to the area where they will do another designated activity or exercise.
15. Additional rules: If a ball hits a bunker, the participants have to hit the ball off the bunker (beanbags). If a ball rolls into a water hazard, that participant takes the ball out and puts it next to the water hazard and adds one stroke to their total.
Variations:
Use a pylon as a hole, and participants have to hit the pylon with their ball, or use a beanbag for the hole.
Use real tees if you have them.
Alter the distance of the holes from the tees if necessary, after seeing how far participants can drive the ball.
Don't add bunkers or water hazards to the holes.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.