Golf can be a great family activity, but if some members of the family have never played before, knowing where to start can be difficult.
Do you head straight onto the course? Should beginners have a lesson first? What can younger children do?
The good news is that a family golf day can be as relaxed as you like. You can start with a few putts, try the driving range, learn some new skills and, when everyone feels ready, take the game onto the course.
At Kingsfield Golf & Leisure in Linlithgow, families, juniors and beginners are welcome, with facilities and activities to suit different ages and experience levels.
Start With Putting
If golf is new to your family, putting is a simple place to begin.
It gives everyone a chance to pick up a club, hit a ball and see what happens without having to worry about a full golf swing. It can also quickly become a friendly family competition.
Who can get closest to the hole? Who can make the longest putt? Can the children beat the adults?
Kingsfield’s 18-hole family putting green is ideal for getting everyone involved, whether they’re completely new to golf or already enjoy playing.
The first visit doesn’t need to be about perfect technique. It’s simply about having a go and getting comfortable with the basics.
Have a Go on the Driving Range
Once everyone has tried putting, the driving range offers a chance to experience another side of golf.
Kingsfield’s 20-bay driving range features TrackMan technology, allowing players to see useful information about their shots while they practise. There are also games and virtual golf options, adding a different element to a traditional range session.
For beginners, it can be as simple as seeing how far they can hit the ball. More experienced golfers can use the time to work on their own swing.
That means everyone can enjoy the same visit at their own pace.
Introduce Children to Golf
For children, those first experiences can be what turns golf into a hobby they genuinely enjoy.
Rather than expecting a perfect swing straight away, give them the opportunity to explore the game and find the parts they enjoy most.
Kingsfield Kids is available for children from five years old, with coaching covering different areas of the game including driving, irons, pitching, chipping, bunker play and putting, as well as golf rules and etiquette.
For children who want to take their golf further, structured coaching can help them develop their skills and confidence over time.
When You’re Ready, Try the Course
After some time practising, you might decide it’s time to play a few holes.
Kingsfield’s 9-hole course offers an opportunity to move from practising to experiencing the game on the course. Set across 70 acres of West Lothian countryside, it provides a variety of challenges for golfers while welcoming players of different experience levels.
For a beginner, the first round isn’t about achieving a particular score.
It’s about learning how the game works outside the practice area — choosing a club, deciding where to aim and working out how to approach each hole.
And completing that first hole is an achievement in itself.
Keep It Fun for Everyone
Family golf doesn’t have to be overly competitive.
Instead of focusing entirely on the scorecard, try creating your own challenges. You could see who gets closest to a target, who can make the most consistent putts or who improves their score from one visit to the next.
For younger players, simply hitting a ball further than they did last time can be something worth celebrating.
The aim is to give everyone a reason to enjoy the game, regardless of their ability.
Make a Day of Your Visit
A family golf day doesn’t have to begin and end with golf.
Kingsfield is also home to Tee Caddy, its on-site coffee shop, providing somewhere to stop for refreshments during your visit.
And with Kingsfield located in Linlithgow, West Lothian, you can easily make golf part of a wider day out. Spend some time at Kingsfield before exploring Linlithgow or enjoying some of the surrounding area.
For families travelling from elsewhere in Central Scotland, Kingsfield’s location also makes it a convenient destination for a day away.
Golf for Different Ages and Abilities
Perhaps the best thing about family golf is that everyone can experience it differently.
One person might already play regularly, while another may be picking up a club for the first time. A child might love the driving range, while a parent prefers playing a few holes.
You don’t all have to be at the same level — or even enjoy the same part of the game.
Kingsfield provides different ways to practise, learn and play, making it possible for families to find an experience that works for them.
Plan Your Family Golf Day at Kingsfield
Whether you’re introducing your children to golf, bringing a beginner along for their first experience or simply looking for something different to do together, Kingsfield Golf & Leisure offers plenty of ways to enjoy the game.
From the family putting green and TrackMan driving range to junior coaching and the 9-hole course, there’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved.
Located in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Kingsfield welcomes families, juniors, beginners and experienced golfers alike.
Ready to give family golf a try? Plan your visit to Kingsfield Golf & Leisure and discover a new way to spend time together.
