05/09/2026
⛳ BEFORE A JUNIOR STEPS UP TO 18-HOLE COMPETITION GOLF
Today we are seeing some wonderful young golfers progressing very quickly. In some cases, children under 10 are already playing 18-hole competitions.
That is fantastic for our game. 👏
However is the child really ready just because of their scores ?
Before a junior moves into 18-hole competition, I believe there are some things they should understand besides simply how to hit a golf ball.
Golf is a game of skill, but it is also a game of rules, etiquette, responsibility, honesty and respect.
🏌️ 1. BASIC GOLF TERMINOLOGY
A junior should gradually become comfortable with words they will hear on the course:
Teeing Area – where the hole begins.
Fairway – the closely mown area leading towards the green.
Rough – the longer grass surrounding the fairway and green.
Putting Green – the specially prepared area containing the hole.
Bunker – a specially prepared area of sand.
Penalty Area – an area marked or defined by red or yellow stakes/lines.
Out of Bounds – beyond the boundaries of the golf course, normally identified by white stakes or boundary lines.
Learning the language makes learning the game much easier.
📋 2. HOW TO MARK A SCORECARD
This is extremely important.
A junior should understand how to record scores correctly, check the scores with the player they are marking for and understand the responsibilities of the player and marker.
Before returning the card, the scores should be checked carefully and the required certification/signatures completed.
It is a great lesson in responsibility:
Your scorecard matters. Check it before you hand it in.
🤝 3. ETIQUETTE & RESPECT
Before playing competition golf, juniors should understand:
• Be ready when it is your turn.
• Remain still and quiet when another player is hitting.
• Look after the golf course.
• Repair pitch marks and rake bunkers.
• Avoid unnecessary damage with practice swings or equipment.
• Respect other golfers and officials.
• Keep up with the group in front.
• Always shout “FORE!” if your ball may hit someone.
Good manners cost nothing, but they say a lot about a golfer.
📕 4. SOME BASIC RULES
A junior doesn’t need to memorise the entire Rules of Golf before entering competition.
They should, however, know what to do in the situations they are most likely to encounter.
🔴🟡 PENALTY AREAS
Understand what the red and yellow markings mean and that the relief options are different.
Importantly, don’t just pick the ball up!
If you’re unsure, ask before taking action.
⚪ LOST BALL & OUT OF BOUNDS
Know what happens when a ball is lost outside a penalty area or goes out of bounds.
This is particularly important because simply dropping another ball beside where the first one disappeared is not normally the correct procedure.
Know about stroke-and-distance relief and when to play a provisional ball.
🌳 UNPLAYABLE BALL
Sometimes the ball isn’t lost — it’s simply somewhere you cannot reasonably play it.
A junior should understand that, except in a penalty area, the player may declare their ball unplayable and take one of the available relief options, normally for one penalty stroke.
⛳ 5. RULES ON THE PUTTING GREEN
Young golfers should learn how to:
• Mark and lift their ball correctly.
• Replace it in the correct spot.
• Repair permitted damage such as pitch marks.
• Avoid deliberately testing the surface.
• Understand what to do if their ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved.
• Take care around another player’s line of play.
And one of the simplest lessons:
Don’t walk unnecessarily on another player’s line.
🧠 6. WHAT DO I DO IF I’M NOT SURE?
Perhaps this is the most important lesson we can teach a young golfer:
STOP — DON’T GUESS — ASK.
There is nothing embarrassing about not knowing a Rule.
Even experienced golfers ask for rulings.
We should teach juniors that asking a question is part of learning the game.
❤️ READY FOR 18 HOLES MEANS MORE THAN SWINGING THE CLUB
As coaches, Committees , parents and golf clubs, our job shouldn’t simply be to ask:
“Can this child hit the ball well enough to play 18 holes?”
We should also ask:
Can they play safely?
Can they keep pace?
Can they look after the course?
Can they mark a card?
Do they understand the basic Rules?
Do they know what to do when something goes wrong?
Can they show consideration for the other players in their group?
A child doesn’t need to know everything.
They’re learning — and that’s exactly what junior golf should be about.
But if we teach the game of golf as well as the golf swing, we aren’t just developing better junior players.
We are developing golfers. 🏌️♀️🏌️♂️⛳
