When my son was little he loved to watch the PGA golf tournaments on television after his regular Saturday morning cartoons. By the time he was three years old he knew what the terms “birdie” and “bogey” meant. We loved to go and visit our local park where they had an awesome miniature golf course that was more on the lines of a real golf course and not one that was full of fancy characters, windmills and other items that distracted him from playing his game. There were days, however, when we were not able to get out to the park. That is when my husband and I had a wonderful idea. If the boy can’t go to the mini-golf course, then we would bring the mini-golf course to the boy! We dug a few well-placed holes in our yard, bought him a little toy set of clubs and lightweight practice balls and he was all set. If you would like to create a cool mini-golf course for your children, then here are some ideas to get you started.

     First, when you buy ready-made cake frosting, save the containers. These make the perfect sized “holes” for your course. Drill 3-4 holes in the bottom of the cups and dig a hole in your yard of the same circumference and depth. When you place the cup in the hole, make sure it is level with the ground around it. This will make it impervious to accidental damage when you mow your lawn. The holes in the cup allow water to drain from the cup and soak into the ground so that you will not have any standing water for mosquitoes to use for breeding.

     Next, consider the placement of your course. You may not have room in your yard for 18 holes, or even 9, for that matter. We had 3 holes for our little golf-lover and he was more than satisfied. You can make the course as easy or as difficult as you desire depending on whether the holes are on level ground, down in a low area or on an incline in your yard.  You may even want to add “hazards” near some of the holes if you have a sandbox or a small pool for the kids. You can make markers for the course using dowel rods and felt, or other fabrics, with the numbers glued on or appliquéd. Make them as colorful or as professional looking as you wish, this is your golf course.

     Finally, your little golfers will need a set of clubs and golf balls so they can play their best game. There are many toy versions available on the market. Fisher Price and Little Tykes both make wonderful sets for young golf enthusiasts. Golf stores usually carry a good selection of junior golf sets for older children that require something less childish for practice. Another option, for those crafters out there, is to fashion your own set of putters and slicers from dowel rods and wood blocks using your own talent and imagination. Whichever choice you make, let the kids in on the fun of choosing their clubs.

     Summer is the perfect time for creating your course and it will provide fun for the family well into the cooler days of autumn. Golf is a wonderful way for kids to get some good exercise and develop hand-eye coordination. They will also be learning wonderful social skills as they take turns with their friends and siblings playing this time honored game. Not to mention, they will thank you for the opportunity to have fun right in their own back yard.

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