Golfer Arms: Tick, Tock

Holding half a pool noodle, children swing their arms like a clock pendulum, just like a golfer before a putt. It works on controlled arm and trunk swings and the hitting stance.

How to play

1. Each child holds their noodle with two hands and stands with feet apart like a golfer (1 min).
2. We say "tick" and the noodle swings one way; "tock", the other way, slowly and never higher than the knee (1 min).
3. The clock speeds up and slows down with the teacher's voice, while the feet stay glued to the floor (1 min).
4. We walk around holding the noodle, and when we hear "Golfers!" we stop and do three tick-tocks (1 min).
5. We put the noodle down and swing just our arms, slower and slower until we stop (1 min).

Rules

• The noodle stays low, near our feet.
• Feet don't move while we do the clock.
• I leave arm-and-noodle space all around me.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from the wheelchair, swing a shorter noodle along one side of the chair.
• Autism: mark their spot with chalk and a dot on the floor to look at.
• Visual impairment: the teacher guides the first swings with hands over the child's hands.

Learning goals

• Swing the arms in a controlled way.
• Hold a steady stance with feet apart.
• Prepare the putting motion for mini golf.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Pool noodles: 25

Teacher tip

Cut the noodles in half so they are the right length for little bodies. Space kids two arms plus a noodle apart; the typical mistake is lifting the noodle like a baseball bat.

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