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9 Tips to Help Junior Golfers

From pga.com

Published on Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Golf is unique treat that can be enjoyed at any age. Teach a child to play and they’ll have a foundation in place for decades of enjoyment on the course alongside friends and family. 

PGA Professional Justin Blazer, the director of instruction at Duran Golf Club in Viera, Fla., wants his students to have fun learning and cultivates their interest by drawing inspiration from other athletic pursuits.

Here are nine tips to keep golf fun and exciting for junior golfers.

1. Find a PGA Professional, give your child room to grow. Research your area and locate an instructor who specializes in junior golf programs, is certified, or at the least has significant experience teaching kids. Then, offer support and encouragement but allow the pro to give the golf advice. Too much information from too many sources can strip the joy from the process of learning how to play golf.

2. Group instruction works best. Blazer played college basketball, so he comes from a team sport background. He reflects on growing up playing little league baseball, when he looked forward to practicing for a couple of hours because it meant a chance to hang out with his buddies. With the time available between shots, golf is the most social game. Instruction should follow this lead. Kids who learn, laugh, improve and struggle together are more likely to return for more.

3. Younger kids need variety. You’re never too young to learn, but the smallest swingers need a mixture of activities to keep clinics and lessons fresh and exciting. For Paul Johnson, head pro at the Links at Lost Plantation in Rincon, Ga., this might include an impromptu game of freeze tag in the midst of a driving range session, an obstacle course session or whacking tennis balls instead of golf balls to build confidence and break monotony. Any activity that emphasizes hand-eye coordination, balance or athletic movement benefits a golfer’s early development. Even if it doesn’t include touching a golf club or ball.

4. Don’t sweat the details. Solid fundamentals are important, but it’s fine for a beginner to have flaws in their grip or stance as long as they are hitting the ball, having fun and wanting to return to the course. Blazer believes his students’ pleasure is more important than applying undue stress in pursuit of perfection. If the time comes, he likes to turn his pupil into the teacher, have them ask questions about why such a change might be necessary. That keeps the students invested in the decision.

5. Get on course – as soon as possible. Juniors who spend too much time banging balls on the driving range can easily lose interest. Besides, the golf course is where the game really comes alive, remains fun and fresh, poses a unique set of circumstances each day. A golfer understands the reason to spend quality time practicing chipping or bunker play once they’re faced with those challenges on the golf course.

6. Let your child decide, it’s their journey. Not all junior golfers will want to play in tournaments. Some might like to compete, but only in a group setting. And others may enjoy the game just because they can be outside and spend hours sharing good shots and laughter with friends. Parents who push their child down the wrong path may drive their child away from the game. The decision to pursue a tournament title, college scholarship or professional career should always come from the golfer and no one else.

7. Slumps are part of sports. Every golfer reaches a point where scores aren’t improving because putts don’t drop or drives miss their target. Understand that all athletes have stretches where they simply don’t perform their best, sometimes for reasons that defy explanation – if they can be identified at all. Baseball hitters, field goal kickers, 3-point shooters all deal with low periods during a season, Blazer points out. Dwelling on what’s gone wrong can bring any golfer down. To maintain perspective, set reachable intermediate goals and keep the focus on the process of having fun.

8. Parents, don’t rush to spend. It’s tempting to rush out and buy expensive golf clubs and flashy clothes as soon as your son or daughter mentions they’d like to spend an afternoon on the golf course. Hold on to your debit card for a minute, however. Expose your child to the game first. Many instructors have clubs available for kids to use during lessons or clinics. If your child decides they like the game and want to continue playing, then find equipment that fits them. Proper club length and weight are imperative for young beginners. Clubs that are too long or heavy can introduce bad swing habits.

9. Enjoy this game together. Father and son, mother and daughter. Walk nine holes on a warm summer evening. Start a holiday tradition of sharing a round, and observe it whether there’s rain, sleet or wind. Watch the major championships, learn the rich history of the game and discuss your favorite players. Attend a PGA or LPGA Tour event and observe those who play the game best. Find time to play a round on a family vacation. Celebrate the good shots, forget the bad ones, laugh a lot and let each memory soak in.

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History of Golf

By Kevin Cotter, PGA

The Uncertain Origins of Golf

How and where the history of golf originated is largely unknown and continues to be the subject of much debate. However, it is widely understood that the Scots during the Middle Ages were largely responsible for creating the game of golf we play today, a claim that has undergone substantial scrutiny and numerous challenges over many centuries.

Several forerunners to the history of golf date back to early 1297, and the Dutch have the closest ties to the origin of golf. Further evidence is supported by early 13th-century Dutch literature, which contained numerous references to “golf-like” games with medieval names such as “spel mitten colve” (play with club).

The Role of the Scots in Shaping Modern Golf

Commerce between Scotland and Holland blossomed throughout the North Sea trade route during the beginning of the Middle Ages. Sailors and traders often became stranded or delayed due to bad weather. They became perfect candidates to become introduced to a new and better way to enjoy their leisure time. They began participating in their favorite local sports of the day. In many instances, some of the players shown in Dutch pictures wore kilts, indicating they were Scottish visitors.

The 19th Hole Tradition: Celebrations in Golf’s Early Days

The first written word of golf in Scotland dates back to 1457, when golf was declared illegal. In Holland, the earliest written record dates back to 1297 and describes a cross-country version of a game with four players to a side, playing four holes with the objective being to strike the doors of pre-selected buildings with the ball along the way, the equivalent today of “holing out.” The prize for the winning side was often a barrel of beer, indicating that celebrating at the “19th hole” is a long-standing time-honored tradition.

The Rise of Golf Festivals and Markets

The history of golf also shows Scottish and Dutch people jointly attending many festivals, fairs, and extensive market gatherings, where among the countless items sold were leather-covered balls stuffed with feathers or cow hair. The only other early-style golf ball we know of was made of wood. Interestingly, during the middle of 1600, the Scottish king appointed a “golf ball maker” to balance the trade deficit better because the feathery golf ball was expensive.

Holland’s Claim to Golf’s Origins

One might assume from this information that one could reasonably make a strong case for Holland being labeled “the true founder of golf.” But looking beyond the Dutch border, historical records indicate that Belgians played a similar stick and ball game called “chole,” derived from Italy. But, these were one-club contests, with some of those clubs being used to perform more than one type of shot. Modern-day golf as we know it today is played with various clubs, up to fourteen, according to the official USGA Rules of Golf and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

The Growth of Golf as a Large-Scale Sport

Also, the game today is played over a large area, frequently exceeding 100 acres, using a small ball. The primary object is to stroke the ball into the hole in the fewest strokes possible from a designated starting area (teeing ground). For the most part, the Scots developed and propagated the game of golf as we know it today. Clearly, they deserve much of the credit for the game.

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Preparing for a Big Shot? Use Phil’s Formula to Perform

QUICK COACHING
By Keith Stewart, PGA
Published on 
There comes a moment in every round where we really need to hit a pressure filled shot. Watching the 103rd PGA Championship yesterday, Phil’s game was wavering after the wayward tee shot on the 13th hole. Over the next couple of challenging moments, he hit some average shots. With Brooks Koepka’s birdie on the 16th hole, Phil’s lead was gone.
Phil completed the Par 5 16th without a birdie. The success of the entire day now hinged on the next iron shot. The most difficult hole on the course was parred by Brooks. Phil had to match his score or even try to beat it. With his most committed swing of the day, Phil drew a straight line to the flag with his shot tracer. The pressure of the moment and the difficulty of that play could have easily caused him to guide the swing. When belief mattered most, Mickelson moved through it with confidence.
Within that crucial moment, what can we learn from Phil’s focus and commitment? Any expert instructor can teach positions in the golf swing. Being labeled a “coach” implies a little more. PGA Coaches don’t just teach their students the golf swing, they also coach them on how to use it. When preparing for one of those pressure filled shots, use Phil’s formula to perform.
  • Proper preparation starts with a powerful mindset. Dottie Pepper commented during the
    telecast about Phil meditating. Behind those sunglasses, Phil filters out the noise and focuses on the target. Creating self-belief comes from a having a relaxed mind. Practices like meditation or just simply calming your thought process is the first successful step to pulling off the play.
  • Select the club you can swing. One of the worst mistakes we can make in these situations is trying to hit half shots. This is a very important point. Changing the speed and length of your swing will create more stress in an already super stressful situation. Correct club selection can actually help remove anxiety from the shot.
  • When it comes time to hit the ball, use your routine. You have a routine for a reason. Sticking to that routine for hours during a round of golf is impossible. We all have moments when we stray from our process. For this shot make it your best routine of the day. Do that and you’ll be really ready.
  • Envision the shot as you walk into the ball. If you don’t see it, you cannot create it. You see great players do this on television all the time.
  • Now you’re ready. Once you’re in the address position and ready to go; swing it. You chose that club for a very specific reason, now follow through on that intent. Make a complete swing. Hold your finish until the ball lands near your target.
These specific keys will allow you to perform your best under the tensest of times. Watch the coverage today. Now that you’re aware of what it takes to perform like Phil on the 17 th tee, observe all the contenders. Personality plays a part in this process too. Follow your favorite golfer and watch their routine. Their process will no doubt contain these five points.
As a PGA Coach, here’s one more tip on this subject. Screen shot this article. Save it in the pictures on your phone. Then when you practice, you can use that picture as a checklist. Start to incorporate each of the five keys into your pre-shot routine. Build a successful process on the range. One you can use like Phil when you have to perform under pressure.
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Stay Centered Drill

QUICK COACHING

Stay Centered and Balanced with this Drill from PGA Coach Cathy Kim

Published on 
If you’re a golfer that has a hard time staying centered in the golf swing, PGA Coach Cathy Kim has a great drill for you.
Some golfers tend to move their head from side to side or shift their weight too much in the swing. It typically means the weight is rolling in their feet.
If you struggle with this problem, try going to the opposite end of the spectrum and taking some swings with your feet together. Hitting some shots on the range with your shoes side-by-side will help you feel the way your body moves and eliminate the sway in your swing. Ultimately, the drill will help teach your body to move and rotate properly without losing your balance.
Once you’ve centered and balanced your golf swing, you can attack your tempo with another great tip from Kim.
If you’re looking for a golf coach to help take your game to the next level, PGA.com/Coach is a great place to start.
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Operation 36 Golf

Operation 36 Announces Bold Initiative to Create 1,000,000 New Golfers

Operation 36 Announces Bold Initiative to Create 1,000,000 New Golfers

Image of the article's author

Matt Reagan, PGA
Co-Founder and CEO, Operation 36 Golf

Garner-based golf player development program, Operation 36, announced its bold initiative to grow the game of golf in a wildly impactful and measurable way over the next five years.

Co-Founders Matt Reagan, PGA, and Ryan Dailey, PGA have made Operation 36 well known because of their very different approach to teaching beginner golfers. Traditional wisdom says new players should get private golf lessons, and stay on the practice range until they are good enough to get on the course.

Operation 36 takes the traditional model and flips it on its head. All new players begin on the course.  Instead of starting at the tee box, they play from 25 yards away from the hole. Once the player shoots par (36) from 25 yards, they back up to 50 yards, and so on, until they are shooting even par (36) from the full tee box.  It’s timely, it’s fun, and it provides step by step improvement.

This golf program was initially seen as only a Junior Program that had caught fire as the standard for introducing any beginner to the game, including adults. It is now taught by nearly 700 coaches across the world at over 450 facilities with over 28,000 golfers.

Now the company has set an even bigger initiative.

Co-Founder Matt Reagan said, “There is a problem with how golfers are introduced to the game.   It is our mission to give these new golfers the best program and technology possible to make becoming a life-long golfer a fun experience.  Our team has been hard at work over the last 10 years to build the programs, technology, training, and network to help carry out this mission.  We believe the foundation is in place to set our big Network-wide goal. We are going to introduce 1,000,000 new golfers to the game and get them to shoot even par (36) for 9 holes by the end of 2025!  The best part is we can guide golfers and actually measure it with our technology. We will be the first company in golf that is able to accurately measure and relay the impact to the public. It can’t happen unless we pull everyone into the mission to grow the game.  From Golf Pros as program leaders to existing golfers as influencers, we want everyone to have a complete plan to pull someone new into the sport. Over the coming months, we will be focused on continued growth and aligning with industry partners to bring the 1,000,000 new golfers goal to life!”

Operation 36 recently launched a new website, as well as a Program Map. Families who want to get involved with a program can now easily connect with a local Operation 36 coach.  In the coming months, the company will be rolling out more tools to attract families to learn to play golf.

The mission at Operation 36 is to design the #1 Programs and Technology to introduce and progress a beginner in playing the game of golf.

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Two Lower Body Exercises to Help Your Golf Swing

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Two Lower Body Exercises to Help Your Golf Swing

Published on 

The lower body plays a pivotal role in generating power in the golf swing.

But it’s also important to improve your fitness & conditioning in the lower body to assure that you can play the game for life.

Fortunately, PGA Coach Thor Parrish shared a pair of exercises that won’t only improve your strength but will help teach your body the proper movements needed to prevent injuries on the course and in your swing.

So check out yet another great fitness tip from Parrish below & be sure to connect with a PGA Coach in your area to find out what tips & drills are best to improve your game.

 

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How to choose a golf coach

 

By John Hughes

Published on 

Getty Images

Here are some important points to consider when choosing a golf coach:
Compatibility
Make sure there is a good fit between you and your coach on all levels, personality type to mutual goals, to similar beliefs about the game and how it should be played, as well as your coach’s ability to relate to your individual needs.
Find a PGA Coach near you

Do your Research — One good way to find the right coach is to ask your friends and playing partners for referrals. Ask them about pricing, reputation, location, and how they improved after working with the coach. Call the coach and set up a phone or in-person meeting. A good coach will be happy to discuss your game and get to know you.

Accreditation and Experience — Does your golf coach have the education and experience to take your game to any level you desire? Many individuals claim to be golf coaches but you cannot get any better golf instruction than from a member of the PGA or LPGA, all of whom have completed intense training which they need to continually update.

Swing Aids — A swing aid should do one thing: assist you in feeling the difference between what you are currently doing in your swing versus what your coach would like you to feel within your swing. If a swing aid does not provide that feedback for you, then it is not the right choice for you.

Technology — Video is an expectation of golf practice. If you cannot post the video to various social media immediately, you are behind the times. The value of videos should be to show you what how you need to improve your swing.

Follow-up Communication — You should expect instant feedback via digital platform or in-person, regarding follow-up practice, scheduling and your improvement.

An Expert Team — Golf is getting so diverse that a coach cannot know everything about golf anymore. Good coaches will surround themselves with a team of experts that may include a fitness instructor, sports psychologist, nutritionist, and others. You may not need all those experts but having them at your disposal could be a huge benefit to you.

Wherever your golf journey is heading, let’s get you there. There are nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals ready to help. Find yours at pga.com/coach.

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Golf Coach Stats

Strokes Gained Golf Stats App for golfers wanting to improve their golf games. Mobile App that helps you identify the areas in Your Game you need to work on to Play Your Best Golf

Screenshot 2020-12-31 at 10.11.33.png

Receive instant 10% discount by using Coach Code: krcpga

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE

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Golf For Beginners – Find Golf Schools and Friends to Learn Golf – PGA.com

Golf For Beginners – Find Golf Schools and Friends to Learn Golf – PGA.com

Playing with Pace

Golf is sometimes perceived as a secret society with its own mores, culture and language, which can make it feel exclusionary, elitist or unwelcoming.  Yet, while the sport is deeply rooted in history and traditions that make it great, today’s golf scene is getting with the times like never before.  In fact, golf will present you with such unbelievable personal and shared experiences that the only fear you’ll have nowadays is a FOMO –a “Fear of Missing Out!”

There are almost too many reasons to list for taking up this great game, but here’s eight of them to get you started:

  • Connections Abound – Golf’s a relationship game.  Every angle of the sport is rooted in relationships—both personal and business. And your time spent in and around the game allows you to make connections and foster relationships through shared experiences that you wouldn’t otherwise make.
  • “Grass Ceiling” No More – Tired of being excluded from the informal networks your colleagues, especially the guys, are building on the course and then leveraging for career advancement?  Grass ceiling no more, girl.  Get in the game.  You’ll break down those barriers, and build a network for a lifetime.
  • The Great Outdoors – In this high-tech generation of being chained to our mobile devices while doing more with less at the office, who couldn’t use a little more time outside in the fresh air?  Can’t you just hear your mom saying, “Go outside and play!”?  Mom knows best, especially when it comes to what a little fresh air can do to boost your mind, body and spirit.
  • Calorie Burn – Who couldn’t use a little extra off?  You’ll burn approximately 2,000 calories during an 18-hole round (while walking and carrying your clubs) or even 1,300 calories when riding a golf car as you play!
  • Your Wardrobe Awaits – Forget about the stodgy, starchy, boxy and, yes, tacky golf shirts of days gone by.  Cute, fashion-forward, sexy, professional, sporty; whatever look you’re going for on the course, the fashion world is your oyster in golf.  Oh, and the shoes!  One word.  Love.
  • Your Significant Other – Golf is such a special sport to share with a spouse or partner.  You’ll leave the world behind and be together, undisrupted in a beautiful setting where nothing else matters but the two of you.  Fun and closeness are sure to result.  (And don’t fret if you don’t currently have a significant other, many happy couples are known to have met on the golf course.)
  • Destinations Await – Around the corner or even the globe, golf travel can take you to stunning locations all over the world.
  • That One Shot – There’s no way to do justice to describing the feeling of pure exhilaration you’ll experience the first time you connect your golf club with that little white ball.  There’s really nothing like it!  You can do it…And you’ll never forget it!  Believe me, it will keep you coming back to the game you love!

So, no more FOMO…Get Golf Ready today!

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Youth Golf

How to have fun with Dad … today!

PGA of America

PGA of America

Published: Thursday, January 09, 2014 | 10:31 p.m.

Don’t you just hate it when your Dad corrects your manners…gets on your case for eating too much candy…or nags you for watching too many TV shows?

Now, here’s your chance to get even—and you’ll both have fun in the process—on the golf course!  That’s because you can always have a fair competition in golf. And there’s nothing like beating your Dad at something that gives you both a BIG smile.  It could be putting contests or a full game of golf.  The point is you’re hanging out with Dad and creating memories for a lifetime.

Plus, no couch potato syndrome here!

So, what if you want to play with your Dad, but on the same team?  Well, how about creating your own mini-PGA Junior League Golf match, taking on a friend and their Dad?  It’s a lot of fun to play together, using a nine-hole “Scramble” format, where everyone hits their team’s best shot each time. If you hit a bad shot, it’s no big deal. That’s because your Dad can help you out on his turn! And what could be sweeter than after seeing your Dad hit one in the pond, you step up and save the team with a great shot of your own?

It’s a wonderful way to bond with “Dear ol’ Dad!”  Plus, you’ll get to tell THAT story a million times!