Many golfers dream of one day playing with their children. Some wish elite success onto their offspring from a very early age (think Tiger Woods at age 3 on the Mike Douglas Show). Others just love the idea of having a playing companion and passing the joys of the game onto their kids. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, you will find that encouraging kids to play golf always comes down to one thing: having fun.

If a child isn’t having fun, there’s little chance for them to foster that life-long love of the game. Below, we’ve compiled a few tips to get your kids excited about golf.

1. Making Everything Fun

Have we emphasized the fun factor enough yet? If golf isn’t fun for your kids, they’re likely to make your time chipping in the yard or putting out on the course a nightmare.

If your kid doesn’t seem to be enjoying a drill or game, ask them what they would like to do. Let their imagination run wild.

2. Fundamentals

Depending on the age of the child, the importance of fundamentals will vary. Trying to tell a 3-year old their grip isn’t correct will most likely fall on deaf ears or result in a tantrum. Whereas, giving the same guidance to a more receptive grade-schooler will help them swing a club with balance and better shots - isn’t that how we all got addicted to this game?

Regardless, it’s important to let them try and figure out what does and doesn’t work for themselves. One training aid that will help teach proper contact (and can make for a fun game) is the Izzo Flatball Swing Trainer. These little discs will offer a nice challenge until your kid is ready to hit real golf balls on a driving range. Bonus Pro Tip: Use the discs yourself to improve your ball contact!

3. Short Game Now, Long Game Later

What is the one aspect of the game everyone says he or she should practice more? Shots inside 50 yards and putting. As your child starts down the path of golf, work your way backwards from green to tee.

Getting them to make some putts will boost their confidence and offering a reward of hitting full shots for a few made putts will give them incentive to work on their short game (like we all should).

Developing feel and distance control on and around the green will go a long way as they mature and grow.

4. Games

If your kids don’t want to focus on putting, it’s not the end of the world - hitting drivers has inspired many kids to learn the game. The main idea is to get your kids to come back wanting more. However, one way to make practicing short game more appealing to the young ones (and old) is turning it into a game.

All parents know kids' attention spans are shorter than snapping their fingers, but keeping attention is achieved when they’re engaged in something they find fun and interesting. Create games and rewards when practicing - or let them make up the games and see where it takes you. Again, so long as they’re having fun, you’re on the right path.

We recommend setting up a backyard flagstick and cup with the Callaway Closest To The Pin Game Flagpole & Cup Set. Whether you buy one flagstick or several, you can create all sorts of fun challenges on your own property.

5. Get On Their Level

Golf is filled with jargon, cliches and terminology that can take a while for anyone to quickly grasp. In fact, we’re still learning new phrases and sayings. It’s important that you use language that is easy for your child to understand. “Angle of attack” means something very different to a 1st grader than to an elite amateur. Try to explain things in as simple terms as possible.