Each and every Saturday afternoon we hold a junior coaching session. These sessions are open to junior golfers who have progressed onto the golf course, maybe have a handicap, and really want to develop their golf skills.
Each session includes technical, tactical, mental and physical work that will improve their game.
My approach to coaching this group is to develop 3 things, specifically in this order
- Their Character
- Their athletic ability/physical literacy
- Their golfing skills
My opinion is that if we develop junior golfers in this order it will improve them as people first, if they improve as people they give themselves the very best chance of becoming good golfers.
In the past I have seen so many young golfers in their late teens that have a great game but lack the quality of character to really progress their skills.
At the start of each session we have a de brief on what they have done in the week, their practice, research, how school went, thoughts that they want to share with the group.
Before the session finishes we give the group homework, some tactical work, physical and also some research.
A couple of weeks ago we asked the group to go away and consider what they would do prior to a round of golf to give themselves the very best chance of playing well.
One of our players came up with the document below.
I was extremely impressed with what he had come up with. Doing it himself rather than being given a sheet to read and digest means that he now owns that process/information. Setting him on his way to becoming the best “Self Sufficient” golfer he can possibly be.
Have a think about what you would do prior to a round of golf to put you in the very best mental/physical state to play your best; I would extremely interested to hear your thoughts.
