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For all those younger golfers who would like to take up the sport, we would like to arrange a number of suggestions on what sort of preparation are suitable to be conducted at what ages. Each junior golfer must be taken alone, but I do believe a number of generalities exist for the physical and mental instruction meant for junior golfers. Since children differ a lot in both physical and mental maturity, setting levels of accomplishment on at what age instruction meant for junior golfers needs to be made is dicey. I'll use the following as a general guide: 1. Under 10 years. At this time, we ought to be looking at appreciating the game of golf and its "fun" feature. Training as such doesn't have to be completely structured, and if exceedingly structured might cause more long-term damage than good. If the link with golf is as it being a duty, and not something pleasing, the junior golfer's endurance for the game may not last long-term. Boosting motor patterns and co-ordination skill sets is what we are attempting to realize at this age, not discipline and self-sacrifice. Encouragement is supreme, but poor behavior should on no account be tolerated. 2. Age 10 to 16 years. Instruction for junior golfers at this time must underscore good basics and proper technique, the building blocks for the future growth as a golfer. I am a set believer in cross training in sport; which is, being involved in the skills of other sports, for instance the footwork of basketball or soccer, or the hand-eye coordination of baseball, to focus on and further enrich the abilities of a young golfer. The large growth spurt which is happening at this age requires the need to gain "posture awareness", and much of the young golfer’s instruction ought to revolve around this. Self-discipline in working out for the game ought to become increasingly prominent. 3. Age 16 to 20 years. Now is when to specialize, but a well balanced existence remains important. Becoming a top flight golfer is still a marathon, not a sprint, so developing training for junior golfers at a fair, steady pace where improvement is made week by week is really a significant ingredient. At this time self-discipline is becoming very important, as there will be some days when working out won't be something the junior golfer desires to do, but must push through and accomplish something that day toward his development. Obviously, the body will still could do with time to recuperate after rigorous training periods, or troublesome injuries will rear up, as a consequence setting the preparation back. I remember reading where Andre Agassi, when asked how he got through training days that he didn't want to do, said that he always tried to maintain the same high-level intensity, but just cut back on the time of the workout. Hardly anyone can duplicate the same vigor for their craft every single day. The need to maintain balance, both from physical exercise (not overloading the body with physical activity), and psychological overload (to avoid burnout), is of vital magnitude. Opposite to what individuals might imagine, professional golfers aren't made when they are junior golfers. Instruction meant for junior golfers is just laying the foundations, but the actual construction for the truly accomplished golfer arrives later on. However, if the foundations are rushed, or are not correctly in place, the ultimate product won't ever occur. For more information on physical training for the game, click HERE, and for tips on how to improve the mental side of golf, click HERE. Jim O'Connell is a writer and avid golfer who spent years coaching juniors. He now lives in London.
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Instruction, Junior, Golfers, Physical, Mental, Training,
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