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JUNIOR GOLF DAVID VAUGHT
WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN TEACHING JUNIORS?
continued from page 03
The last point with this group is equipment. I At this age, it is very important to find
cannot stress enough the importance of proper interesting ways to teach the kids how to
length and weight clubs. Improper equipment practice. This is a skill that they can carry through
can ruin the initial golf experience for juniors as their whole life as a golfer. I highly recommend
well as cause motor skill pattern issues that will using the basic practice sequence of Block-
be discouraging and difficult to overcome, and Variable-Test. This also keeps them moving and
is a major factor in kids not taking to the game. challenges them. The instructor should not be
• Fun • Competition • Partners • timid in terms of challenging them slightly. They
• Integrate other sports • Age specific aids • view that challenge as your recognizing them
• Appropriate clubs • as older and more mature. Be positive always,
2) Middle school age: but blend in constructive points for improvement
2) Middle school age: For starters, with
this age, group teaching is much less effective. and set up tests to gauge their learning progress
Keep presentations to a minimum and do and retention.
not expect to hold their attention for longer When teaching the swing, focus on balance,
than a couple of minutes. Remember, this is stability, and sequence. You can also introduce
the smartphone generation. Technique also the concepts of face, path and low point, but
becomes much more important because keep it simple. When they hit bad shots, instead
these kids are stronger and what they learn, of patronizing, challenge them to explain
conceptually and physically, will determine what happened and always make them feel
whether they stay in the game or give it up. involved in the learning process as well not
At this age, the importance of the short being overly directed. The quicker they learn
game should be emphasized. The instructor the basic concepts and understand their own
should work all parts of the game. Use groups swings, the more likely they will enjoy improving
for quick points, but keep things moving as fast and practicing. The one big advantage for
as possible. Get into a one-on-one teaching teenagers is the ability to adjust motor skill
situation quickly. Good putters are born at patterns more easily than adults. Therefore, the
an early stage of golf learning. Putting setup instructor should not hesitate to make swing
and stroke fundamentals provide an easy adjustments.
opportunity for improvement. Chipping is Lastly, teenagers want two things in their
incredibly important at this age because it can instructor: credibility and a sense that you are
rescue them from bad shots and keep the score genuinely interested in helping them. Credibility
down when they play, which is critical to keep comes with demonstration as well as explaining
them engaged in the game. the why’s. If they understand why they need to
Kids at this age will rebel against “little kid” do something, they will buy in. Genuine care
games, so focus on finding ways to teach and concern should come out in the way you
technique without becoming too rigid. They interact with them and the genuine enthusiasm
are listening; they just do not want you to know you display. If they feel you are not genuine or
it. For a retention check, challenge them to are going through the motions, they will shut off.
teach back to you what they have learned. In • Individual instruction when possible •
contrast, set up drills that create a challenge • Very short presentations • Teach practice •
and at the same time teach technique. • Teach swing technique • Teach short game •
• Be genuine • w
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro ®
