5 Golf Toys for Kids to Try Before the Course
Golf is having a real moment with kids right now.
- Nearly 4 million kids played golf on a course in 2025 — National Golf Foundation (NGF), 2026
- Teen golf grew 58% between 2019 and 2024 — NGF, 2026
- Girls now make up 35% of all junior golfers — NGF, 2026
- Junior golf equipment market projected to hit $1.96 billion by 2032 — Credence Research, 2025
- Over 7 million young adults interested in picking up the game — NGF, 2026
It is social, gets kids outside, gives them a break from screens, and is one of those rare sports they can play for years. Whether that means mini golf with friends, joining a school team, hitting the driving range, or playing alongside parents and grandparents.
The earlier kids can start getting comfortable with the basics of golf, the better. That does not mean handing a preschooler a serious set of clubs and signing them up for lessons. It means giving them opportunities to swing, aim, putt, miss, try again, and celebrate when the ball finally goes where they hoped.
Golf-inspired toys are a low-pressure way to build coordination, patience, problem-solving, turn-taking, and sportsmanship. They also give kids an active, screen-free reason to head outside, or turn the playroom into their own mini course.
Here are five golf toys for kids that make it easy to get in the swing of things this summer.
1. PopGolf Board Set by Popdarts
PopGolf takes the suction-cup throwing fun of Popdarts and gives it a golf-inspired twist. Instead of hitting a ball with a club, players toss Popdarts toward golf-course-style scoring zones on an all-weather board. The set includes one board, exclusive PopGolf darts, a travel case, and a score keeper. Players stand back, take turns throwing, and use cancellation-style scoring to see who wins each round.
This is the best pick in the roundup for tweens and teens because it feels more like a social backyard game than a preschool sports toy. It has enough strategy and competition to keep older kids interested, but younger siblings can still jump in.
Ages: 3+
Price: $129.99 (base sold separately)
Best for: Older kids, tweens, teens, family game nights, backyard parties, and tailgates
Outside-the-Toy-Box Idea:
Create a family PopGolf league. Play one round each weekend, track everyone’s scores on a simple leaderboard, and let the winner choose the next family movie or dessert.
2. Little Tikes TotSports Easy Hit Golf Set
The Little Tikes TotSports Easy Hit Golf Set from MGA Entertainment is a classic first golf toy for a reason. It comes with two kid-sized clubs, three oversized balls, a pull cart, and an all-surface putting hole. The oversized balls are easier for little kids to hit, which matters.
Early sports toys should build confidence, not create a tiny person who is already frustrated before snack time. Kids can set it up on grass, carpet, patios, or in a playroom. They can practice putting, pretend they are playing a big tournament, or create their own mini-golf course with household obstacles.
Ages: 2–6
Price: $31.99
Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers, and first-time golfers
Outside-the-Toy-Box Idea:
Make a color course. Place colored construction paper, cones, or paper plates around the room or yard. Call out a color and have your child putt the ball toward that “hole.”
3. Gator Golf Game by Goliath
A hole-in-one is a lot more entertaining when the hole is a hungry alligator. In Gator Golf, kids use a flamingo-shaped club to putt balls into the gator’s mouth. Once they score, the gator flicks the ball back with his tail so the game can keep moving. The first player to score three points wins, and the birds on the gator’s back double as score keepers.
This one is less about learning golf mechanics and more about building early hand-eye coordination, turn-taking, and the ability to keep trying after a miss. It is also compact enough to pull out when kids need to burn off energy indoors.
Ages: 3+
Price: $19.99
Best for: Indoor play, sibling games, playdates, and rainy-day movement
Outside-the-Toy-Box Idea:
Turn it into a number game. Assign each ball a number. Every time a child sinks a putt, they add that number to their score. Older kids can practice simple addition; younger kids can count the total out loud.
4. Franklin Sports PGA Kids’ Tee Trainer
The Franklin Sports PGA Kids’ Tee Trainer is designed for kids who are ready to do more than just tap a ball around the yard. Its push-pedal automatic ball feeder tees up the next ball, so kids can keep practicing without waiting for an adult to reset the game after every swing. The set includes 15 plastic golf balls, a height-adjustable club, and multiple club heads for right-handed, left-handed, and putting practice. It can be used indoors or outdoors and does not need batteries.
The real parent win is the built-in independence. Kids can work on their swings, experiment with distance, and create their own practice routine without requiring someone to stand there feeding them golf balls every 30 seconds. They also have a My First Golf set for littles and then another Golf Set that is great for kids to transition into real clubs.
Ages: 3+
Price: $31.99
Best for: Kids who want more independent swing practice
Outside-the-Toy-Box Idea:
Set up a backyard “target range.” Put laundry baskets, hula hoops, cones, or chalk circles at different distances. Give each target a point value and let kids see how many points they can earn in 10 swings.
5. Step2 Putt & Splash Adventure Center
The Step2 Putt & Splash Adventure Center is what happens when mini golf and a water table decide to team up.
This larger outdoor playset combines water play, imaginative play, and mini golf. Kids can use the included clubs and balls while rearranging three customizable course paths that connect to a central water tower. It also includes Ball Buddies vehicles, water accessories, golf-course track pieces, and enough space for side-by-side play.
This is a strong option for families with younger siblings because the kids do not all need to play the same way. One child can focus on putting while another splashes, moves tracks, sends vehicles through the course, or creates a new obstacle.
Ages: 18 months–5 years
Price: $154.99
Best for: Backyard water play, siblings, and preschool playdates
Outside-the-Toy-Box Idea:
Let each child design one hole. Give every hole a name, such as “The Splash Zone,” “The Big Green,” or “The Tricky Turn.” Then have everyone play the full family-designed course.
Why Golf Toys Are Worth the Space
Golf toys do more than introduce a sport. They give children a reason to move, focus, experiment, solve problems, and play independently.
For younger kids, that may look like hitting an oversized ball across the yard. For older kids, it may mean learning how to aim, keep score, compete fairly, and laugh when a sibling gets an unexpected hole-in-one.
And for parents, these are the kinds of toys that can grow from a quick backyard activity into a genuine family interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Toys for Kids
What age can kids start playing golf?
Kids can start exploring basic golf play as toddlers with oversized balls, kid-sized clubs, and simple putting toys. Formal instruction can come later. The early goal is coordination, confidence, and fun.
Are golf toys good for child development?
Yes. Golf toys can support hand-eye coordination, gross-motor development, visual tracking, spatial awareness, turn-taking, patience, and persistence.
What is the best golf toy for toddlers?
The Little Tikes TotSports Easy Hit Golf Set is a strong first choice for toddlers because the clubs and balls are sized for younger children. The Step2 Putt & Splash Adventure Center is another good option for toddlers who love active water play.
What is the best golf toy for older kids and teens?
The PopGolf Board Set is the strongest option here for older kids and teens because it feels social, competitive, portable, and less like a traditional preschool sports toy.
