So, you have a junior that shows interest in golf, you yourself plays the game on a regular basis and you are a good player, handicap of 8 of below. As a player, you understand some of the basic such as, grip, aim, ball position etc… As a parent, we want the best for our child, we want them to stand out among other parentβs kids. Take them with you on the weekends to the nearby driving range, you show your child how you swing and want them to do exactly what your doing. Months goes by your child is enjoying to time spent with you, practicing and playing golf. Now you enter your child into a local junior tournament because he/she has friends playing as well. Youβre on the range with your child giving them so much information on what their doing, your excited and nervous at the same time and your child doesnβt seem to have the confidence needed to perform. You didnβt pick up on his or her body language prior to the event. After the event sadly your child came in last, their upset, you feel bad cause we all want our kids to succeed. Well, this is normal occurrence I see weekly at junior tournaments.
Weeks and months go by, and despite your efforts, tournament after tournament passes without the success you envisioned for your child. Frustration sets in, your child begins to lose interest in the game, and the relationship between you and your child becomes strained. I see this scenario frequently during our coaching and teaching sessions. Parents often tell us what they are working on with their child, and while their intentions are good, the delivery of the process is crucial.
I always encourage parents to be actively involved in their childβs development. After all, they spend more time with them than we do. Throughout my 30 years of instructing and coaching young players, I provide both students and parents with a game plan they can work on together. Most parents donβt realize there are certain elements their child may not be able to perform due to factors such as lack of flexibility, strength, or speed.
Many parents ask me how they can help their child improve in golf without going through our program. My first piece of advice is to spend a lot of time working on shots within 60 yards, focusing on chipping, pitching, and putting. Create fun games to keep them interested and challenged. Donβt get too fixated on the swing; young bodies change, and so will their swings. The scoring game is the most critical aspect of golf. Whether you have a great swing with poor results or an improper swing with good results, mastering the scoring game is what truly matters.
