Starting golf with children in Annecy in 2026: the complete guide to getting started

At what age can you start playing golf with children?

Children as young as 4 or 5 can start playing golf through a fun, introductory format like baby golf, and can join a structured golf school from age 5 or 6. The deciding factor isn't the exact age, but the child's ability to follow simple instructions and hold a junior club that's the right size for them.

At Golf du Belvédère, the golf school welcomes children from the age of 5, an age at which learning through play becomes truly fluid. Each age group calls for a different approach:

• 5-7 years old : everything is done through play — short sessions, simple objectives, broad targets, no technical requirements.
• 8-11 years old Coordination progresses quickly, lessons can last an hour and incorporate a real structured movement.
• Ages 12 and up : the search for mastery takes hold, with the first concrete objectives (flags, youth competitions).

Why golf is so well suited to children, even the least athletic ones.

Golf is often associated with a quiet sport reserved for adults. For a child, it's actually one of the most rewarding activities there is: it's played outdoors, in the form of a game, and every little bit of progress is immediately visible. A child doesn't need to be athletic or fast; they simply need to want to try.

Several factors explain why golf works so well with families:

• Visible progress : touching the ball, aiming at a target, improving a score are all small but motivating victories.
• A reassuring framework : no shocks or contact, simple safety rules to understand.
• An intergenerational activity Parents and children can play together, each at their own level.
• Transferable skills : patience, concentration, respect and emotional management, useful well beyond the course.

What makes a successful first introductory session?

A successful first introduction usually lasts an hour, divided into three parts: a fun and rewarding discovery of about ten minutes, then 30 minutes of skill games (aiming, putting, taking on small challenges), and finally a simplified mini-course to give meaning to the learning.

The goal is never to achieve a beautiful swing from the first session, but to create a spark: to give the child the desire to come back.

1. A promising start

We always start with a simple action that works every time: rolling a ball on the putting green, aiming at a wide target, or hitting the ball on the driving range with a junior club. The child should experience success very quickly.

2. Skill games

Learning transforms into mini-challenges: aiming for a specific zone, scoring points, getting closer to a flag. This is often the moment when the energy of the most restless children finally finds a concrete purpose.

3. A mini-course

Even in a very simplified way, playing a few holes gives the session its full meaning: the child understands why he is learning to aim and control his shots, and experiences his first "real" game.

At the Belvédère Golf Course, the’introduction to golf follows exactly this procedure, by reservation, with the equipment provided.

Which format should I choose to start with: introductory course, golf school or holiday course?

There's no need to commit to the whole year from the first session. The most effective approach is to choose a format that suits your specific needs: testing the child's interest, structuring their progress, or making the most of a holiday week.

The route most often recommended by the teaching team at Belvédère remains simple: an introduction to test it out, a holiday course if the child takes to it, then the golf school for regular progress over the season.

In practice, the golf school offers weekly sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays, outside of school holidays, while courses take place over several consecutive days during school breaks. No license is required for a simple introductory session; it only becomes necessary when the child registers for the year or wishes to earn their first golf badges.

Also read: Golf for children: the 2026 guide for parents

Questions that most parents ask themselves

«"My child has no patience."» Golf cultivates patience without ever being preachy, provided you keep your goals short: aim for a target area, score points, sink a putt. The game itself remains the primary tool.

«"I don't want to invest in equipment right away."» This is the right approach. The equipment is provided during the introductory sessions, and since a child grows quickly, the purchase can be considered later, once the motivation is confirmed.

«"I don't know anything about it, I won't be able to help him."» It's not your role to correct their technique. Your role is to choose a good framework, to encourage, and never to turn a session into a performance test.

«"And what about security?"» It is an integral part of learning: positioning, safety distances, respecting turn order. Children quickly grasp these rules within a structured environment.

What equipment do you need to start playing golf with a child?

For a first session, the goal is not to assemble a complete bag but to avoid unnecessary friction. The essentials can be summarized in four points:

• Sneakers and comfortable clothing, with a jacket if the weather is uncertain.
• A junior club suited to his size — one or two clubs are more than enough to start with.
• A putter if possible, for immediate enjoyment on the putting green.
• A few balls and tees, usually provided during introductory sessions.

If the desire persists, it's best to opt for a lightweight kit of 4 to 6 junior clubs rather than a full set, choosing it based on the child's actual height rather than age. Since children grow quickly, the second-hand junior market remains an attractive and economical option before investing in new equipment.

To delve deeper into this topic, consult our guide on the children's golf club.

Flags: the progression system that motivates children

Children love level systems, a bit like ski stars or judo belts. Golf offers exactly that with its... Flags from the French Golf Federation: eight levels that mark the learning process up to complete autonomy on the course, divided into five colors (green, red, blue, yellow, white) then three "metal" levels (bronze, silver, gold).

It's a powerful motivator: the child visualizes their progress, sets clear goals, and remains engaged over time. This is precisely the framework that [the program] offers.’golf academy of the Belvedere for children enrolled for the year.

Why start in a local club in Annecy rather than independently?

Playing as a family is still an excellent idea, but to start without frustration, the winning combination always involves educational guidance for the basics and moments of family play for fun.

At Golf du Belvédère, in Saint-Martin-Bellevue, the environment is designed for this progressive learning: a multi-level driving range with 250 meters of driving length, a putting green and an approach area for the short game, a hilly 9-hole course with views of the Aravis mountain range to put into practice, and an Academy supervised by state-certified teachers.

The course, with par 3 and par 4 holes ranging from 100 to 350 meters, offers just the right variety of distances to adapt the game to the size and strength of each child, unlike a large 18-hole course which can quickly become intimidating or tiring for a young player.

Adrien and Julien, instructors at the Belvédère Academy, guide children from their very first session: they systematically adapt the format and pace to each child's age and attention span rather than applying a one-size-fits-all program. This individualized approach, typical of a small, friendly club, makes a real difference in the long run compared to learning left to its own devices.

The simple plan to get started

For a family wishing to get started without getting overwhelmed, the most effective roadmap consists of four steps: book a session of’initiation to test, follow up with a holiday internship If the child is interested, join the group.’golf academy if the desire is confirmed over time, then occasionally take advantage of the family journey to put it into practice.

The best indicator to know if the breakthrough has occurred remains simple: if your child asks "when are we coming back?" at the end of the first session, you have your answer.