This podcast and community is dedicated to junior golf helping golf parents, players and coaches through the fun yet complex journey you and your junior golfer will experience. We dive deep into the real stories golfers go through and as a community answering the long list of questions we all have! We learn from the most experienced golf parents, top coaches, players and child development experts on how to help groom your junior golfer to their best potential!
Episodes
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
In this episode Alexis Keating former Division 1 golfer at the University of Colorado shares her experience playing college golf. Alexis shares her journey up to college golf, starting at a very young age. She had big dreams and goals to play college golf from a young age, and that dream never stopped! Her parents were a big influence on her continued improvement and success being positive role models along the way. She played in a few US Kid World Championships and even played a round of golf with Lexi Thompson as a junior!
Alexis played four successful years of college golf and was a big contributor to the success of her team. She continue to play on LPGA mini tours and even got an opportunity to play in the LPGA Portland Classic in 2017.
If you are wondering what the D1 college golf experience is like, and questions about how to find the right school and team to join for you, then this is going to be a great episode for you!
In this episode we discuss:
- Alexis' introduction to the game
- Her supportive parents role
- Her success as a junior golfer
- The recruitment process
- Life as a college athlete
- Practices, trainings and tournaments
- Why you should seek help when help is needed
- The balance of competition and academics
Show links:
https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/alexis-keating/1407
https://pac-12.com/videos/pac-profiles-colorado-womens-golfer-alexis-keating
Episode #5 - How to Access What you Already Own!
https://www.amazon.com/Golf-Flow-Gio-Valiante/dp/1450434045
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Monday Oct 19, 2020
In this episode Neil Plimmer, PGA professional and owner of his junior golf company JOLF, shares his experience on how to get the whole family involved in the game of golf. We also discuss what us as adults (coaches and parents) should understand about junior golf and how to adapt the best principles while creating the best experience for children to enjoy the game of golf.
Neil has been a PGA golf professional for over 20 years he has been involved in all areas of the game. But it was working with children in schools and at golf clubs where he has dedicated a large proportion of his work.
Over the years thousands of children have played JOLF in schools and at golf clubs around the country. The business and what they offer continues to change as they learn and grow.
Neil has been lucky to be invited to speak across the world to coaches about JOLF and share his knowledge and experiences. He is happiest with a group of 30 children in a school delivering sessions and coming up with different experiences that will engage children and create a love for golf, and sport in general.
In this episode we cover:
- Why the whole family should play golf
- Myths of learning golf
- The child learning process
- How to include and involve the whole family
- Learn by doing approach
Show Links:
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Monday Oct 12, 2020
In this episode and first of the "Parent Stories" series, Miguel Perez shares his unique experience raising his son Xeve Perez in the game of golf, where he already has over 300 hundred golf wins. His son started playing golf in their garage at the age of one while watching his father learn golf with a 1 Iron! Xeve showed a lot of interest early on and won his first event at the age of 3 years old. Xeve has been featured in a number of television shows and articles not just because of his success in golf, but because of his bright and optimistic personality! For the last 9 years Miguel and his wife Christine have learned a lot about the game of golf and how to raise their son in a positive way, through the journey of golf.
In this episode we cover:
- Xeve's golf journey
- Miguel's experience raising his son in golf
- Miguel's advice to other parents
- Xeve's drive and motivation
- Xeve's own goals and ambition for his future in golf
Important show links:
Monday Oct 05, 2020
Monday Oct 05, 2020
In this episode with Maria Castellucci and Jason Voigts from Kiddie Kaddie, we discuss how to become a better caddie for junior golfers. Caddying is no easy job, especially when you are doing it for your own kids. Maria and Jason share a lot of knowledgeable information on how to be a better caddie and also why their company Kiddie Kaddie started! Kiddie Kaddie provides junior golfers with knowledgeable and courteous caddies so that they have a partner on the course that will guide them through their rounds.
In this episode we cover:
- What makes a good caddie
- How to best support junior golfers during tournaments
- How to become a better caddie for junior golfers
- What resources are available for parents to become better caddies
- How Kiddie Kaddie can help you
Important show links:
https://www.facebook.com/Kiddie-Kaddie-1513276978996525
https://www.golfchannel.com/video/meet-kiddie-kaddie-founder-maria-castellucci
https://www.golfchannel.com/video/kiddie-kaddie-helps-children-learn-game-golf
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Monday Sep 28, 2020
In this episode Kate Tempesta from Birdie Basics, shares her knowledge and experience on how to get kids from ages 2-5 years old into the game of golf! Kate has been empowering young children since 2001 through the game of golf and her whole child approach to creating deep and engaging learning environments. She believes children are capable of anything when coaches connect, care, respect and collaborate with their youngest of students. She is passionate about early childhood education and teaches young golfers even as early as two years old!
In this Episode we cover:
- What age children can start learning golf
- How children of different ages develop and learn
- How children have fun different from others depending on their age
- The importance of Multi-Sensory engagement
- The importance of story based learning
Kate's Early Development Coaching Approach:
Whole-Child Approach
Her curriculum develops all facets of the child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive—for a better experience and outcome.
Story-Based Creative Play
Children learn better when they are using their imaginations and having fun. Her activities leverage storytelling and creative play to keep kids engaged and delighted.
Multi-Sensory Engagement
Children also learn better when more of their senses are engaged. The Birdie Basics activities are designed to stimulate sight, touch, and hearing.
Age-Appropriateness
They've developed a way to teach sound golf principles that are accessible to very young minds and bodies, adjusting the techniques for every developmental milestone.
Important show links:
https://www.instagram.com/birdie_basics/
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
In this episode Gavin Grenville Wood, Head of Junior Education from the Leadbetter Academy and father of two aspiring golfers, shares his experience as a father and coach in the game of golf. His oldest son Joshua is currently playing professional golf on the Challenge Tour and hopes to be world #1!
It was through experience, mistakes and failures that he learned how to be a champion parent and coach and he shares those stories in this episode!
Gavin has spent countless hours putting together a series of courses for coaches – The Champion Athlete, The Champion Coach, The Champion Business, along with a FREE course for parents of young golfers called The Parent Coach to help with the development of their children both on and off the course.
In this episode we cover:
- The learning curve of coaching
- His experience raising two elite golfers
- Having a growth mindset
- How he became a better golf parent
- Understanding how failure fits into the Journey
- How kids learn and the process they go through
Important Show Links:
https://leadbetter.com/instructor/gavin-wood/
https://www.instagram.com/gavingw13/
https://leadbetter.com/how-to-become-a-better-sports-parent/
Monday Sep 14, 2020
Monday Sep 14, 2020
In this episode I discuss with Steven Yellin, author of his new book Simplicity and creator of the Fluid Motion Factor Program, how to help players access what they already own.
This isn't about sports psychology as that pertains to emotions, attitudes, beliefs and self-confidence. The Fluid Motion Factor is a neurophysiological processes in the mind that every golfer has to experience in order to produce a fluid golf swing.
Steven Yellin has developed a revolutionary training program that allows athletes to be more consistent. He has a company that has worked in seven professional sports, including MLB, NHL, NBA and the NFL. He started his company with former World Series hero Buddy Biancalana of the Kansas City Royals. Steven has worked with golfers on the PGA, LPGA, and Asian Tour that have won five Major championships and over $75 million in prize money.
As a senior in high school, Steven won the Florida state high school tennis singles championships and was a member of the championship team. He went on to have a successful college career playing #1 singles at the University of Pennsylvania and being a member of the All-Ivy team. He also had a win over John McEnroe while at Penn.
In his senior year, Steven had a deep Zone experience that changed his understanding of sports. It led him on a life-long quest to develop a simple and powerful program to teach athletes in all sports how to set the subtle conditions that allow them to access what they already own, fluidmotiongolf.com, zonetraining.net. There is one process in the mind that when an athlete accesses, the body is free to do what it knows best. Steven calls this process the Fluid Motion Factor. It is not based on sports psychology, but on how the mind produces fluid motion in every sport. Accessing this process usually comes and goes on its own volition. Steven teaches golfers how to access it on demand. It will make you a more consistent golfer very quickly!
In this episode we cover:
- The Fluid Motion Factor
- The importance of wholeness
- How to change your practice
- How to access what you already own
- The 5 fears of an athlete
Important Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Simplicity-Steven-Yellin/dp/1735169854
Monday Sep 07, 2020
Monday Sep 07, 2020
Do you ever wonder what playing college golf is actually like? For example how to balance academics and playing golf full time? In this episode we have Hayden Hui share his experience walking onto a division II school golf team, UC San Diego, to then become the school's number one player after playing four successful years of college golf!
Hayden holds a number of college golf awards including GCAA/PING All-America Honorable Mention. He finished his final complete season at 27th in the Golfstat national rankings. Finished year with a team-best 72.5 stroke average, the lowest of his collegiate career. Was UC San Diego's top finisher in 11 of 13 tournaments. Hayden finished 11 under par (-11) in the NCAA West/South Central Regional, helping the Tritons to a second-place showing and a berth at the NCAA Championship.
In this episode we cover:
- Hayden's introduction to golf
- Hayden's journey to college golf
- The learning curve of playing college golf
- How he balanced academics and playing golf
- His advice for first year players
- How he became the number one player on his team
- What his future looks like after college
Important links:
https://ucsdtritons.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/hayden-hui/6079
Monday Aug 31, 2020
Monday Aug 31, 2020
In this episode, Chris Oetinger, the head coach of both the men's and women's golf teams at Holy Names University in the San Francisco Bay Area, shares his perspective of the college golf recruitment process and what coaches are looking for in aspiring collegiate golfers.
Before becoming a college golf coach, Chris was a great collegiate and professional player, winning 2 NCAA tournaments and 17 NCAA top tens. He also won 12 times on the professional Pepsi tour and holds a course record of 63 at a course in the Bay Area!
If you, or your young golfer is on the road map towards college golf, then this episode will help answer many of the questions your have!
In this episode we cover:
- Chris' playing experience
- The college golf recruitment process
- Scholarships
- Understanding the difference between D1, D2, and D3 schools
- What college coaches are looking for in a player
- How to contact coaches
- How to make sure coaches are following you and tracking your results
Monday Aug 24, 2020
Monday Aug 24, 2020
In this episode Matt Reagan, CEO and Co-Founder of Operation 36 discusses the roles of parents, coaches and players, and why you have to thrive just in your role. He also shares from his experience how to help parents and players set realistic, long term expectations.
Matt shares with us how Operation 36 (Op 36) is structured to get players on the golf course on lesson #1 and why having clear goals, and trackable progress is the key to quick development.
Op 36 gets golfers on the course from lesson #1. This means you will play 9 holes starting 25 yards from each green. Instead of starting at the full tee box, you will begin in their first division. Your challenge is to shoot 36! If you shoot par (36) or better, you will progress to the next division, and start 50 yards from each green your next round. Op 36 teaches skills to players related to their division to help them achieve their goal of shooting 36 on the course.
What we cover in this episode:
- Matt’s early experience in golf
- How he Co-founded Operation 36
- Why you SHOULD go on the golf course on lesson #1
- The importance of teeing up close to the hole
- How to set the correct expectations
- The importance of clear goals, and trackable progression
- The best way a parent can support their child get to the next level
- Clear roles of a coach, player and parent
- Why Operation 36 is the way forward, for everyone!
Links from the show:
https://operation36.golf/parents-of-junior-golfers/
https://operation36.golf/programs/