Golf Gifts for Kids: Encouraging Young Players at Every Age

Getting kids into golf starts with the right encouragement

Golf is one of the best sports a child can take up. It teaches patience, discipline, honesty, and how to handle frustration, all while spending time outdoors. But convincing a child to stick with golf depends heavily on their early experiences. If the equipment is wrong, the environment is intimidating, or the gift feels more like a chore than a treat, interest fades quickly.

The best golf gifts for kids make the game fun, accessible, and exciting. They are age-appropriate, practical, and chosen with an understanding of where the child is in their golfing journey. This guide covers gifts for every age group and budget, all available from UK retailers.

Golf gifts for kids: comparison table

Under £25: small gifts that spark interest

Fun Practice Balls, Foam or Whiffle (£8 to £15)

For young children (ages 3 to 8), a bag of foam or whiffle golf balls is one of the smartest gifts you can buy. They are safe to hit in the garden, they fly short distances, and they let kids swing freely without worrying about breaking windows or hurting anyone.

Pair them with a cheap plastic club or a cut-down old iron and you have a garden driving range that keeps them occupied for hours.

Golf-Themed Books (£8 to £15)

For children who are curious about the game, a well-chosen book can spark lasting interest. "G is for Golf" by James Preller works well for younger readers. For older children and teenagers, biographies of players like Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam provide inspiration and context for the sport they are learning.

Kids' Golf Cap or Visor (£10 to £20)

A branded golf cap from Nike, Under Armour, or Titleist makes a simple but effective gift for any child who plays or is starting to play. It helps them feel like a proper golfer, which matters more than adults sometimes realise.

£25 to £75: gifts that build skills and confidence

Golf Putting Mat (£20 to £50)

A putting mat for the living room or bedroom is a gift that delivers year-round practice. Models from PuttOUT and JEF World of Golf offer realistic green speeds and alignment aids that help develop a consistent putting stroke.

For competitive kids, the PuttOUT Pressure Trainer adds a target that returns the ball if the pace is right, turning practice into a game.

Kids' Golf Lesson with a PGA Junior Coach (£20 to £40 per session)

A coaching session or block of lessons with a PGA-qualified junior coach is one of the most valuable gifts on this list. Good junior coaches make lessons fun, age-appropriate, and focused on building a love of the game rather than perfecting technique.

Most UK clubs run junior coaching programmes, and many offer group sessions that are more affordable and more social than one-to-one lessons. Check your local club's website or the PGA's "Find a Pro" tool at pga.info.

Junior Golf Clothing (£20 to £40 per item)

Under Armour and Nike both offer junior golf ranges that mirror their adult lines. A quality polo shirt and a pair of golf shorts or trousers help the child feel like they belong on the course, which is important for confidence. JD Sports and Sports Direct stock good options.

Young 601 Junior Set by Fazer (£60 to £90)

The Fazer Young 601 is a budget-friendly starter set that includes a driver, a hybrid, two irons, a putter, and a stand bag. The clubs are lightweight and properly sized for junior players, with enough loft and forgiveness to help young golfers get the ball airborne.

Available in different size categories to match the child's height, it is an excellent first set that does not require a big investment.

Best for: Ages 6 to 12, budget-conscious families.

£75 and above: serious gifts for committed young golfers

US Kids Golf Starter Set (£80 to £150)

US Kids Golf is the gold standard for junior equipment. Their clubs are specifically designed for children, with correct weight, length, and flex for each age and height category. The colour-coded sizing system (based on the child's height) makes choosing the right set straightforward.

Sets typically include a driver, hybrid, iron, wedge, and putter, with a lightweight stand bag. The quality is noticeably better than generic junior sets, and many junior coaching programmes recommend US Kids clubs specifically.

Best for: Ages 5 to 12, any child who is showing genuine interest in the game.

Callaway XJ Junior Set (£150 to £200)

The Callaway XJ range offers premium junior clubs with technology derived from Callaway's adult lines. The sets come in different configurations based on height and age, and the build quality is excellent. For a child who is already playing regularly and showing real enthusiasm, this is a set they can grow with for several years.

Best for: Ages 7 to 14, committed young golfers who play regularly.

Swyng Golf Experience Voucher (£49 to £199)

A Swyng experience voucher gives a young golfer (or a parent-child pair) a curated day on the course. It is a memorable gift that creates an experience rather than adding another item to the equipment pile. For teenagers especially, an experience day at a course they have heard of but never played can be genuinely exciting.

Best for: Teenagers and parent-child golf outings.

Garmin Approach G12 GPS Range Finder (£118)

The Garmin G30 handheld has been discontinued and replaced by the G12 (clip-on) and the G80 (premium handheld). For tech-savvy teenagers, the G12 is the right pick: clip it to a belt or bag, accurate course distances on 42,000+ preloaded courses, and a far smaller price tag than the £250 G80. It adds a gadget element teenagers respond to while staying within sensible junior gift budgets.

Best for: Teenagers (14+) who play regularly and enjoy technology.

Top picks by age group

Ages 3 to 5

At this age, golf is about play, not practice. Foam balls, a plastic club, and garden fun are all that is needed. Keep it light, keep it fun, and do not worry about technique. If they enjoy swinging a club at a ball in the garden, you are on the right track.

Top pick: Foam practice balls (£8 to £15).

Ages 6 to 9

This is the age when proper junior clubs make a difference. A lightweight starter set allows them to hit real shots, and a group coaching session introduces them to the course environment.

Top pick: US Kids Golf Starter Set (£80 to £150), matched to their height.

Ages 10 to 13

By this age, children who enjoy golf are ready for better equipment and more structured play. A quality junior set, a putting mat for home practice, and regular coaching sessions all contribute to development.

Top pick: Callaway XJ Junior Set (£150 to £200) for keen players, or a block of PGA coaching sessions (£60 to £120 for three) for those still developing their interest.

Ages 14 and above

Teenagers who play seriously may be transitioning to adult equipment. Before buying adult clubs, check with a PGA professional, as many teenagers benefit from staying in junior-specific clubs until their swing speed and physical development justify the switch.

Top pick: A Swyng experience voucher (£49 to £199) for a special day on a top course, or a Garmin Approach G12 (£118) clip-on GPS for the tech enthusiast.

Tips for buying golf gifts for kids

1. Match the equipment to their size. Junior clubs are sized by height, not age. Check the manufacturer's sizing chart before buying.
2. Do not buy adult clubs for children. Adult clubs are too heavy, too long, and too stiff for young players. They make the game harder and can create bad swing habits.
3. Prioritise fun over performance. For younger children, the goal is enjoyment, not perfection. Foam balls, garden games, and relaxed coaching all contribute more than expensive equipment.
4. Involve them in the choice. If the child is old enough to have preferences, let them pick the colour of their bag or the style of their cap. Ownership builds enthusiasm.
5. Consider second-hand clubs. Children grow quickly, and a set that fits them this year may be too short next year. Quality second-hand junior clubs from Golf Bidder or eBay can save money and still provide excellent performance.
6. Make it social. Golf can feel lonely for a child if they are always playing with adults. Look for junior groups, holiday camps, and coaching sessions where they can play with other children their age.