Factors when selecting a junior golf coach
When you start considering finding a junior golf coach or making a switch to a different one then you have several factors you may need to consider:
- Skill level: First, start with coaches who currently work with the skill level of your junior golfer, whether it’s the beginning stages or advanced juniors. It’s also important they work with junior golfers in general, since communication styles with juniors typically look different than someone coaching adults.
- Golf goals: Look for a coach that supports your child’s particular golf goals, whether it’s making the high school golf team, consistently playing in tournaments, or navigating the college recruiting process.
- Tournaments: Consider which type of tournaments they’re currently playing in (if any) and what tournaments they aspire to play in. Can this coach help them get to the next level?
- Focus areas: Are you trying to learn the swing, putting or short game or all of it? Do you also need help with the mental game or help with a golf resume? Talk to potential coaches about their areas of expertise and make sure it aligns with what your child needs.
Other factors you may want to include in your search could be the use of technology, like video analysis, launch monitors, or golf apps. Think about how important it is for your child to get measured in certain areas and if the coach adjusts their teaching strategies to fit where your golfer is at the moment.
Another major consideration is how well they interact with junior golfers. Not every coach has this gift, so make sure they’re comfortable with working with juniors and can relate to them on some level.
Lastly, look for a PGA or LPGA professional, since they have extensive training on teaching the game of golf in the most effective manner.
Where should I look for a junior golf coach?
If your son or daughter are just starting out, then group lessons with a local club or organization, private lessons with a local professional, or even lessons from a golf-focused academy can be a suitable option. Beginner golfers need someone who can teach them the fundamentals of the golf game, such as proper grips, stance, and consistent contact with the ball.
You can use the PGA.com website and search for junior coaches, which can lead to info about lessons and coaching. U.S. Kids Golf also offers a directory of certified coaches and programs near you, for kids 12 and under.
When your son or daughter has progressed beyond the basics and they want someone who can help them with developing their skills, then local golf professionals can still be a great resource. Another option are instructors they meet from summer golf camps. It’s also a good time to ask other parents in a similar boat who they go to and again, make sure they’re a PGA or LPGA professional.
Once your junior golfer has advanced or is looking ahead to college golf, then it may be time to find a coach who specializes in teaching more advanced skills and other aspects of the game (such as the mental game). I think this is where it can get harder to find someone nearby, so don’t be surprised if you have to travel a bit to find the right fit.
Our experience with selecting a junior golf coach
Our son Hamilton went to his first teacher when he was seven because he no longer wanted instruction from Dad. We found a local golf professional and he taught him the fundamentals of the golf swing with a little course strategy and putting. It was a great fit for building a basic foundation and getting him ready for competing in U.S. Kids tournaments. Our son loved him and learned quite a bit, but eventually wanted to get even more in-depth with coaching.
We then took him to another coach we found at a club, who worked with juniors and taught from his launch monitor. This helped Hamilton learn more advanced swing and course knowledge. This coach would see flaws in Hamilton’s swing and he would give him drills on how to fix it. He also let Hamilton send him swing videos so he could make some tweaks along the way. He also helped him with a little bit of tournament selection and getting more comfortable with competing.
Eventually, Hamilton was getting more and more committed to golf and playing in as many tournaments as he could. Unfortunately, his coach at that time moved to another state so we had to start the search again. The coach suggested Hamilton consider working with Doug Spencer for more advanced instruction.
Hamilton has now been with Doug for several years and Doug works with him on his swing, putting, short game, some mental work, goal-setting, practice routines, and other areas. He has Hamilton write out goals every year and helps him develop a more efficient practice schedule. It’s been a great fit for him and Doug has helped him through multiple aspects of the junior golf journey.
Do you need more than one coach with junior golf?
Some people have a coach for putting and a swing coach. Some may also work with mental coaches. It all depends on what you are looking for help with and how invested you are into golf. A coach is a huge part in developing these players into better golfers, so it may be worth investing in a coach that specializes in a particular area.
The bottom line
The advice above is simply based on our own personal experience with finding the right coach, so hopefully it helps you in a small way. Coaching is such a personal decision, but asking a few vital questions and researching who is available near you can make a huge difference. And once you do find the right fit, it can make an enormous difference in their golf game!