Golf Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

Confidence Building For Junior Golfers


One of the challenges about being a young person is dealing with what feels like is a constant comparison to other people. This is true at school, in one's social circles, at home, and in the golf arena.

What many young people inevitably do during this time of analysis is begin to feel somewhat insecure about certain aspects of who they are. "I'm shorter than everyone." "I'm taller than everyone." "I'm skinnier than everyone". "I'm heavier than everyone."

This type of thinking leaks into golf, creating insecurities about the game. "I can't hit it as far as most kids." "I don't putt as well as he does." "We don't have as much money so I don't get the instruction that she does."

When this is going on inside one's head, it is very difficult to "play your own game". Instead, junior players often try to be someone they are not, try to keep up with what others are doing, or try to do things that are not in their capacity.

Not only does this emphasis on what others are doing frequently hurt a player's confidence, it also regularly impacts course management decisions. Among the common mistakes:

?Unconsciously pulling the driver out of their bag in order to hit it as far off the tee as possible.

?Automatically pulling 3-wood for the second shot into a Par 5.

?Consistently "under clubbing" by falsely believing certain clubs are hit further than actual results indicate.

?Making high risk/low reward shot selection decisions.

?Swinging the club harder to try to hit it further.

The solution to this is to be honest and objective about what strengths and capabilities you bring to the course as a player. This is what is referred to as "playing within yourself". Once you recognize and acknowledge what works for you, you will begin to play the game in the way that is best for you, rather than playing the game in order to try to do what others are doing or the way you think it should be done.

The truth is, whether judging against others in life or in golf, we will always find someone who is better at something than we are. It is hard to get our ego out of the way and lay up when our competitor can get there in two. It is difficult emotionally to hit 5-iron to a Par-3 hole when our competitor hits a 9-iron. It is a challenge to continue doing what you're doing if you see a competitor who is successful doing something different.

In life, those that are constantly following others lose a sense of who they really are. In golf, those that are distracted by others often get lost in constantly changing their game. Be like the best players in the world. The most successful golfers of any age figure out what they're good at, understand what works for them, and then make a commitment to stick to it.

Be the best player with what you have, rather than trying to be something that you're not.

Jeff served as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetters Golf Academies, where he was instrumental in assisting in the development of the training programs and methodology that continues to produce golf champions around the world. Jeff works with several touring professionals and amateur players - assisting them in the creation of optimal training plans and developmental strategies. For more inforamtion on mental and physical training for golf, go to http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

GolfDigest.com

Traffic plan for golf tourney pays off
Beckley Register-Herald
“While the men are on the golf course, the ladies are out shopping.” The golf tournament provided an incentive for Black to expand the gift shop's food ...
Golf CapsulesThe Associated Press
Compton's perseverance results in a rewarding 63MiamiHerald.com
PGA TOUR Thursday: Your Eyes & Ears at The Greenbrier ClassicBleacher Report
Palm Beach Post (blog) -One News Page -PGA Tour
all 800 news articles »


Times LIVE

Golf roundup: Vaughan claims early US Senior Open lead
Shreveport Times
I mean, there is a lot of golf left and a lot of trouble out there for the next three days," Vaughan said. Shreveport's Hal Sutton birdied the first hole at ...
'It was the narrowest golf course I've ever played'Albany Times Union (blog)
Amateur Tim Jackson in familiar slot at Senior OpenSeattle Times
First round of the Senior Open has a few surprisesSeattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
Cybergolf National -Kitsap Sun -TheNewsTribune.com
all 293 news articles »


CBC.ca

Tiger commits to World Golf event in Akron
AFP
ORLANDO, Florida — World number one Tiger Woods has committed to defend his title at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational next week at ...
Woods' true test is at BridgestoneWashington Examiner (blog)
World Golf Championship and Bridgestone Invitational Previewbettor.com (blog)
Bridgestone Invitational won't lack for major starpower: Northeast Ohio Golf ...Plain Dealer
WKYC-TV -Bloomberg -PGA Tour
all 342 news articles »


Washington Post

Miniature golf course in Stone Harbor, NJ, meets international standards
Washington Post
The night before the mini-golf tournament, I climbed a staircase to scope out the rooftop course at Tee Time Miniature Golf in the seaside ...
Women's Tennis League Players NeededGarden City News

all 2 news articles »


al.com

Teen may hold Guinness golf record
WALA-TV FOX10
MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - One of the greatest performances in the history of golf took place in Mobile by a teenager just shy of his 18th birthday. ...
Wyatt captures State Junior crownDothan Eagle
Mobile Teenager Shoots Record Low Round Of 57WKRG-TV
Alabama amateur makes golf historybettor.com (blog)
Roll 'Bama Roll -al.com -Selma Times-Journal
all 213 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk

GOLF - Creamer aims for back-to-back majors
San Francisco Chronicle
"I enjoy links golf," she said. "It's a nice change to come out, put your five layers on and play in your rain gear. It makes golf a little bit more ...
Shin, Inkster take early lead at British OpenAtlanta Journal Constitution
Thompson playing the role of an old proBoston Globe
Sierra Golf birdie & bogey, holes-in-ones and charity tournamentsReno Gazette-Journal
Newnan Times-Herald -Pro Golf Now (blog)
all 459 news articles »


Times LIVE

The Senior Open's top 10 contenders | Golf
Seattle Times
The Senior Open appears to be a wide-open affair with no clear-cut favorite. Here are 10 of the top contenders: The Seattle native will certainly draw the ...
Couples is Betting Favorite at US Senior Open – PGA Golf BettingBetUs.com
You can't see the golf course for the treesThe Olympian
Sahalee firm and fast for 1st round of Sr. OpenUSA Today
bettor.com (blog) -Bleacher Report -Cybergolf National
all 249 news articles »


Times LIVE

GOLF - Tseng, Hull eagle 18 to lead British Open
San Francisco Chronicle
AP Yani Tseng shot a 4-under-par 68 in the opening round of the Women's British Open on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, and is tied for ...
Michelle Wie is lurking at the British OpenFOXSports.com
Yani Tseng rides the wind to take one-stroke lead in Women's British OpenTelegraph.co.uk
Yani Tseng and Katherine Hull Tied for the Lead at Royal BirkdalePro Golf Now (blog)

all 259 news articles »


ESPN

Romo shares his five favorite golf courses
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Romo could be as good at golf as he is as the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys if he played the game all the time. He's still good, playing only in his ...
With their own golf club and deep roster of players who are hooked, the ...Golf.com

all 144 news articles »


Modesto Bee

Third Annual Jim Boeheim Golf Classic
SUAthletics.com
The Third Annual Jim Boeheim Golf Classic at the Shenendoah Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort and Casino, presented by Metro Mattress, is scheduled for July ...
Syracuse's Jim Boeheim talks up driving skills during shootaround with NASCAR ...USA Today
Once And For All We Will Know The Greatest Golfer In Syracuse HistoryTroy Nunes is an Absolute Magician (blog)
Boeheim Classic supports foundationUtica Observer Dispatch
WBNG-TV
all 141 news articles »

Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006