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Practice Ground Shots

Practice Ground Shots
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Practice ground shots using a soft foam ball and plastic club or broom to learn aiming, control, distance and physics safely on grass or carpet.

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Step-by-step guide to practice ground shots

What you need
Adult supervision required, masking tape, plastic club or broom, soft foam ball, target (laundry basket or pillow)

Step 1

Choose a flat safe space on grass or carpet and clear it of toys and breakable things.

Step 2

Put the soft foam ball on the ground where you want to start practicing.

Step 3

Place your target a short distance away like a laundry basket or a pillow.

Step 4

Use masking tape to make a starting line and two more lines farther away for practice.

Step 5

Stand behind the starting line with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Step 6

Hold the plastic club or broom with both hands near the end of the handle.

Step 7

Swing the club two times without hitting the ball to feel the motion.

Step 8

Position the club head just behind the ball so you are ready to hit it.

Step 9

Pick one spot on the target to aim at.

Step 10

Sweep the club forward along the ground to gently strike the ball toward your chosen spot.

Step 11

Take three shots from each tape line to practice aiming and controlling how far the ball goes.

Step 12

Share a photo or story of your practice and what you learned on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use instead of the soft foam ball, plastic club, or masking tape if we don't have them?

If you don't have a soft foam ball use a rolled-up pair of socks or a small stuffed toy, if you lack a plastic club use a broom or a wrapped ruler, and if you don't have masking tape mark the starting and farther lines with a towel, string, or chalk.

Why does the ball keep not moving or go the wrong way, and how do we fix it?

If the ball doesn't move or veers off, check that in step 7 you practice two dry swings to feel the motion, in step 8 position the club head just behind the ball, and in step 10 sweep the club along the ground with a gentle forward motion aimed at the chosen spot from step 9.

How can we change the activity for younger kids or make it harder for older ones?

For younger children bring the target in step 3 closer to the starting line, use a larger soft ball and let an adult guide their hands during the sweep, while older kids can move the tape lines in step 4 farther back, shrink the target, or keep score for the three shots from each line in step 11.

What are simple ways to improve or personalize the practice after we finish the basic steps?

To extend the activity add point zones on the target with paper or tape, place small safe obstacles between the lines from step 4 to practice different sweeps, and use the photo or story you share in step 11 to track progress and set new goals.

Watch videos on how to practice ground shots

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How To Shoot A Basketball For Kids

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Facts about golf skills for kids

🎯 On grass the ball grips and slows more than on smooth carpet, so practicing on both helps you learn how surfaces change your shot.

🌦️ Practicing on carpet lets you play indoors on rainy days, while grass practice builds real-world feel and protects knees and clubs.

🔬 The same physics that affect ground shots—force, friction, and angle—are explained by Newton’s laws and projectile motion.

📏 Tiny changes in club angle or push speed can make a big difference—small tweaks can double or halve how far the ball goes!

🏌️‍♀️ A soft foam ball rolls much slower than a real golf ball, making it safer and easier for kids to aim and learn control.

How do you practice ground shots safely at home or in the yard?

Set up a low target (cone, bucket or taped spot) on grass or carpet. Use a soft foam ball and a plastic club or broom held like a child-sized putter. Stand with feet shoulder-width, swing the club in a controlled, low arc, and follow through toward the target. Start close, then move back to practice distance control. Encourage slow, accurate shots, measure results, and keep clear rules and adult supervision for safety.

What materials do I need to practice ground shots with my child?

You only need a soft foam ball, a plastic club or sturdy broom, and a clear area of grass or carpet. Add simple targets like cones, buckets, or masking-tape circles, plus a measuring tape or pace markers to track distance. Optional items: a towel for cleanup, small cones to create lanes, and a clipboard for scorekeeping. Always wear comfortable shoes and keep close adult supervision when young children are involved.

What ages is practicing ground shots suitable for?

Ground shot practice works for a wide range: ages 3–5 benefit from simple rolling and aiming games with heavy supervision, ages 6–9 can learn aiming, control, and basic drills, while ages 10+ can refine distance control and introduce scoring challenges. Tailor equipment size and drill complexity to the child’s attention and coordination. Always supervise younger children and keep sessions short and fun to maintain engagement.

What are the benefits of practicing ground shots and important safety tips?

This activity builds hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, spatial awareness, basic physics understanding (force, angle, distance), and confidence through measurable progress. Safety tips: use a soft foam ball, avoid hard clubs, clear the area of hazards, set a shooting line, limit swinging force, and supervise closely. Encourage warm-up stretches and regular breaks; adapt rules and distance for age and ability to reduce risk of injury.
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Practice Ground Shots. Activities for Kids.