Junior Golf Blueprint: Long-Term Development for Lasting Success

Key Points

• Long-Term Development > Quick Fixes
  Avoid coach-hopping and short-term solutions. Confusion kills progress. Trust a coach with a proven track record.
• Don’t Specialize Too Early
  Let kids play multiple sports to build coordination, athleticism, and social skills. Specializing around 15 is fine — but not earlier.
• Balanced Parenting is Crucial
  Avoid Overprotection: Let kids fail and learn resilience.Avoid Overpressure: Don’t obsess over results or push them into overly advanced levels.Avoid “Band-Aid Fixes” after every poor tournament.
• Watch Your Reactions
  Kids internalize emotional feedback. Yelling after mistakes like 3-putts leads to fear of failure and performance anxiety.
• Steady Growth Beats Early Peaks
  A player doesn't have to be the best at 14 or 16 — steady progress (like Collin Morikawa’s path) is more valuable than early dominance.
• Fun and Enjoyment Matter
  Ask: Is my child enjoying this? Joy fuels long-term success and motivation — not fear or external goals like scholarships.
• Avoid the Social Media Trap
  Comparison, judgment, and pressure from social media interfere with performance and enjoyment.
• Smart Competition Strategy
  Compete consistently but not every weekend. Choose events that challenge without overwhelming.
• Development Over Results
  Focus on trends and progression, not single outcomes. Progress is more important than perfection.