3 things every new golfer should master

3 Must-Know Golf Skills for New Junior Players

One of the most common questions we get is:

“Do you offer junior golf lessons?”

The answer is yes—but our schedules fill up fast. So if you’re a parent or grandparent who wants to get your junior golfer started the right way, this post is for you.

Whether they’re 5 or 15, these 3 fundamentals will set your junior up for long-term success. And the best part? You can help teach them, even if you’re not a golfer yourself.

Let’s dive in 👇

Watch the video breakdown here!

1️⃣ The Grip: Get It Right from the Start

If you’re going to teach one thing, start with the grip.

Why? Because a bad grip will always come back to haunt you.

Here’s how to build a great grip:

• Pinch the thumb and index finger on the lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers). This creates a seam that points toward the right shoulder.

• The club should sit more in the fingers, not the palm.

• Check for two knuckles showing when they look down.

• Now, place the trail hand (right hand for righties) with the lifeline covering the lead thumb.

• That right-hand seam? It should point toward the chin.

🎁 Pro Tip: Everything feels awkward at first—don’t avoid teaching the grip early. It’s much harder to change later.

2️⃣ The Backswing: Just Make an “L”

One of the biggest issues I see with junior swings?

The arms lift too much, the backswing gets too long, and everything falls apart from there.

Instead, teach them to:

• Use their grip to create a backswing that forms the letter L

  (lead arm straight, club shaft at a 90° angle)

• From the down-the-line view, the “L” should sit at about 45°

• Avoid the common cue of “keep your head down”—that often causes more harm than good

This short, controlled backswing creates better contact and gives coaches like me something we can build from.

3️⃣ The Finish: Swing Fast, Hold Your Pose

We want juniors to swing fast and be athletic—but with control.

Here’s how to teach it:

• Have them swing from their “L” position to a balanced finish

• Ask them to hold their finish for a count of two

• Audit: Is their body stacked over their lead leg?

• Bonus test: Can they lift their trail foot at the finish like a ballerina?

  (If they fall over—more balance training needed!)

This helps train coordination, control, and awareness—the foundation of any good swing.

✅ Let’s Recap: 3 Keys to Coach Your Junior

1. Teach the Grip – Seam pointing in the right spots, hands working together

2. Control the Backswing – Keep it short, lead arm straight, L shape

3. Hold the Finish – Swing hard, stick the landing, lift the back foot

If you’re not a golfer but want to help your junior get started the right way, just focus on these 3.

Golf is a beautiful game—and it starts with the basics.

Let’s give juniors the best chance to fall in love with it. 💚

🎥 Watch the Full Breakdown

Want to see the motion in action?

👉 Click here to watch the video

Let me know if you have any questions—I’d love to hear how it’s working for you.