From Forward Tees to 59: Bryson’s Path to Scoring Mastery

Key Points

• Love for the Game Is Essential

  • No matter how much talent or structure is in place, a child must genuinely enjoy golf.
  • Without internal motivation, they'll burn out, lose interest, or resist training.
  • The love of the game must be nurtured from a young age — especially during setbacks.

• Start With Small Wins and Build Confidence

  • Competition should be introduced gradually, in a way that allows the child to succeed and enjoy the experience.
  • Avoid overwhelming young players with national events or high-pressure situations too early.
  • Example: Even highly successful juniors like Asterisk Talley focused on small, confidence-building competitions first.

• Learn to Practice — Not Just Hit Balls

  • Practice should begin with putting and short game — not driver-first range sessions.
  • Develop skills from green to tee, teaching scoring and strategic awareness early.
  • Teach them how a scorecard works: the concepts of par, birdie, and bogey

• Make “Par” the First Opponent

  • Rather than comparing to other kids, juniors should first compete against par.
  • Use short on-course formats where they can beat par from close distances (e.g., putting-only holes, short chips).
  • This builds early confidence and a love for personal improvement.

• Don’t Rush Distance — Build Strategy & Scoring

  • Move backwards on the course slowly — only as the child develops control and scoring ability.
  • Example: Bryson DeChambeau played from forward tees at age 15–16 to learn to shoot under par.
  • Despite being capable of shooting in the 70s from 7,000 yards, he needed to learn how to score in the 60s.

• Expose Weaknesses to Target Development

  • Bryson’s experience from forward tees exposed his weaknesses in wedges and course management.
  • He committed to the process — playing only from short tees until he consistently broke 60.
  • This phase helped develop low-scoring habits, strategy, and discipline.

• Parents Must Balance Support & Pressure

  • Parents must encourage their child while also knowing when to step back.
  • Pushing too hard too soon can kill the love for the game.Early stages should focus on building relationships, enjoyment, and good habits.