Knattegolf: getting your child started with golf from age 3

In Sweden, golf for the youngest children has its own name: knattegolf. It is not a smaller version of a round on the course. It is play with a club, a ball and a target, built around short sessions and lots of turns. Here is what knattegolf looks like, when to start and what equipment actually helps.

What is knattegolf?

Knattegolf is the Swedish term for golf activities for preschool and early school children. Many Swedish golf clubs run knattegolf groups, often on weekends or in the summer, where children play games on the putting green and the practice area rather than on the course itself. The Swedish Golf Federation lists clubs and junior activities across the country.

The idea is simple: children should hit the ball, see it move and want to do it again. Technique comes later.

What age can a child start?

Most children can start between three and five. Before that, a light putter and a soft ball on the living room floor is a perfect first step. Our Spark Putter was made for exactly that stage.

From around three, children can make a controlled swing with a club that is short and light enough. More on the stages in what age a child can start golf.

What does a session look like?

• Fifteen to thirty minutes. Stop while they still want one more turn.
• A target they can hit. A bucket, a hoop or a hole close enough to succeed often.
• Games, not instruction. Count how many balls reach the target, race a parent, aim for colours.
• Putting first, then short swings. Rolling the ball builds confidence before the full swing.

You do not need a club to start. A garden, a carpet or a park works just as well for the first months.

Which equipment fits?

Height decides the club, not age. Two four year olds can be a full size apart. Measure your child against a wall and check the size guide.

What matters most at this age:

• Weight. A light club gets swung properly, a heavy one gets dragged. WOOW clubs weigh 210 to 270 g.
• Length. For children between 85 and 110 cm, a putter around 50 cm, an iron around 57,5 cm and a driver around 63,5 cm.
• A bag they can carry. Their own bag is a big part of the fun.

Cut down adult clubs rarely work, because the head stays just as heavy. Read why cut down clubs are a poor start.

How do you find knattegolf near you?

Ask your local golf club whether they run knattegolf or junior groups for the youngest children, or search for junior activities on golf.se. Many clubs also let families use the putting green for free or for a small fee.

Ready to start at home?

For the very first steps, the SPARK bundle has a putter, mat, balls and cap. For children between 85 and 110 cm, the START bundle adds three real clubs and a bag, or see all golf sets for ages 3 to 5.