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GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
Junior Golf
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If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes love, patience, guidance, compassion and a good car to raise a junior golfer. And don’t forget humility, because as soon as your youngster starts driving the ball past you in the fairway, you know you’re on the right track. When we asked 18 parents in the Southland about the secret to their child’s success and the advice they’d give to others, the most common response was don’t push. Let your child discover the nuances and intricacies of the game on their own. If they like it, great; if they don’t, that’s fine, too. As long as you keep the focus on fun and having a great time together, it’s all good — which is the job these parents did or are doing with their children. Some play professionally, some tee it up in college, and others are in the midst of successful junior golf and high school careers. They’re obviously doing something right. Maybe some of their tips and stories will work for you and your young golfer:  My son fell in love with golf hanging out with me at Aviara and driving the cart when nobody was looking. If he wanted to hit, he hit, if not, he would hang in the cart while I was hitting.We just had a great time being together, and I believe that created Danny’s foundation for his love of the game. I think the key to Danny’s success is that he has fun playing. The worst mistake a parent can make is to push their kids so hard that they lose interest. We’ve been careful not to push Danny into doing something he doesn’t want to do. Now he’s the one driving us. Don Ochoa, father of Danny, 13, who was runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Kids Teen World Championships and a sixth-place finisher at the European Junior Golf Championships. We believe good golf is the result of disciplines put in place at an early age. Our children accompanied us to Wilshire Country Club when they were 4 and 2, respectively. Both our children enjoyed other sports such as surfing, softball and baseball, but we made them pick one sport to focus on — and that ended up being golf. While I was still working during the summer, both children were dropped off at Wilshire when they were 11 and 9, and they spent the day practicing and walking the course. We always received calls about how well-behaved they were. They both played on the SCPGA Tour, California Junior Tour, Publinks tournaments and other special events throughout the year. As they got older and wanted to make additional income during the summer, my husband and I created time cards for them. Each week they filled out their cards indicating when they would be practicing or playing in a tournament. We agreed on an hourly amount and included bonuses for placing in tournaments. Needless to say, there was a lot of golf played and, as Lori started driving, we lost our role as spectators and they traveled together. There’s no magic answer for raising a junior golfer, but if you teach them the etiquette and rules of golf and exhibit those behaviors as parents, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with a golfer who will be a leader in the game and successful in life. Linda Harper, mother of Lori, who will attend Boise State this fall on a partial golf and academic scholarship, and J.P., a sophomore on the varsity golf team at Mira Costa High School.  We started Zane with miniature golf and putting and chipping. We started with the short game rather than going to the range and hitting a bucket of balls. I told him the first time I took him to the course that he could play when he was able to hit the ball a certain distance, learn the rules and stay out of people’s way.He accomplished those goals, and we’ve played about 200 rounds in the past two years. He knows how to play a hole to completion instead of just worrying about making a perfect swing on the range. On the course, you’re behind a tree, you’re in a divot — that’s golf. I don’t want Zane, who is 7, to be overcoached at this age. When he’s about 10 to 12, we’ll see about lessons with a pro. Andy Weaver, father of Zane, who won the 6-and-under division in the Future Champions Golf World Championship in February in San Diego.  From the time he was 3 or 4, Sahith was throwing a ball perfectly. Whatever sport he does — basketball, baseball, even ping pong — he does it very well. And he doesn’t just dabble at it; he learns how to play and pays attention to detail. Make sure your child enjoys playing golf. We do other things during the week — like play basketball or watch golf — and that way he looks forward to the weekends when he can get on the course. It has to be something they want to do. Let your child initiate the activity. You can encourage them to see what he or she is capable of, but don’t push. Keeping a balance with school is very important, so the tournaments Sahith plays are always on weekends. Muralidhar and Karuna Theegala, parents of Sahith, a three-time winner at Junior World. Our daughter started playing when she was 8, but it was strictly a family outing on Sundays. We kept it fun as much as possible, but in the end it was up to her to make the decision regarding competitive golf. Discipline, commitment and lots of support and understanding from family members is important. As a golf enthusiast, I know when I play well and when I don’t. The kids don’t need to be told how badly they played. They already know. They do, however, need to know that there will be a next time and that hard work can improve the outcome. As parents, we should encourage our juniors by making them feel good about themselves. But most of all, if they can’t have fun playing the game, it’s probably not for them. Miyuki Inouye, mother to Meghan, a freshman golfer at the University of Hawaii. The secret to our children’s success comes from their ambition to play as much as they can. They love playing in tournaments, but they also like to go to the driving range and chip and putt. They’re always striving to get better and trying new strategies in practice to make them better golfers. Parents need to allow their children to have balance in their lives regarding school, personal activities and golf. They also need to understand that decisions they make at this point in their lives will help mold them as they grow into adults and continue with golf and the other activities they choose to pursue. Michele Moore, mother of Tyler, 12, who is ranked second on the National Junior Golf scoreboard, and Haley, 10, who is ranked fourth. A lot of kids have a good swing from the time they’re small, but what makes an outstanding junior player is the short game. From an early age, he or she has to have a good feel for hitting the ball on the green and not over it. When our son, Rico, was 5 or 6 years old, he knew how to pitch the ball on the green and get it close to the hole. When your son or daughter is starting out, he or she has to get out there and keep practicing. I’ve seen some kids take a couple months off in the summer and struggle to get back to their previous level when they start playing again. Richard Hoey, father of Rico, 12, a two-time winner of Junior World; Kay, 22, a senior golfer at Long Beach State and winner of the 2008 Heather Farr Memorial Invitational; and Simone, 18, the 2008 Summer Metro Player of the Year for the SCPGA Junior Tour who will attend Long Beach State.  We never pushed Shane into golf. When he was little, he played other sports and they all interfered with his golf swing, and it was his decision to drop those sports for golf. We just sat back and watched. Parents should let their kids have fun. If they want to do it, they just do it. Carole Duncan, mother of Shane Mason, a member of the men’s golf team at Pepperdine.  Your child has to have talent, and you have to know if he or she has the ability to compete. We were lucky with Rito Jr., who was a natural at golf. We were able to put together a plan that combined instruction and dedication. Parents should create an atmosphere to keep it interesting, because golf is a lonely sport. Change practice and playing venues, and get involved with a junior program. Those are just a few of the ways to keep things exciting for your child. Rito Armenta Sr., father of Rito Jr., who won the Orange County Junior Championship and was a runner-up at the International Junior Golf Tournament at Westin Mission Hills. Determination, perseverance, commitment, focus, passion and self-discipline are the reasons for our son’s success at the junior level. He really loves golf and, as a result, demonstrates the commitment needed to play well. Find a mentor or coach for your child and be certain there’s a strong connection. Your child needs more than a teacher of mechanical skills. They need someone who is committed to junior golf and who knows what is needed to get to the college level. Our son’s high school coach, David Brewer, introduced Stephen to golf, developed his playing skills and fostered a cohesive team atmosphere. Instructor Chris Smeal also played a significant role in Stephen’s success by providing leadership, serving as a role model and counseling him on the steps needed to make it to the college level. Stephen has lowered his handicap index by more than two strokes since working with Chris. Most of all, positive reinforcement and encouragement are essential in building your child’s confidence and equipping him or her with the tools needed to succeed and grow in the game. Sue Watson, mother of Stephen, who will attend Riverside’s California Baptist on a golf scholarship. Our son, Peter, fell in love with golf over time because we had a great time with golf as a family. We were lucky to be able to take our children on vacations where they were exposed to golf. We gave them the exposure and they went off on their own. Peter gravitated to golf on his own. He played lots of other sports, such as soccer, baseball and basketball, and he dabbled in tennis. He didn’t get seriously interested in golf until high school. Parents should let their children gravitate to golf and then give them the freedom to practice and play. Kathy Tomasulo, mother of PGA Tour player Peter Tomasulo. The determination of the child is a big factor, and parents need to gauge that and keep it fun. Our son, Pat, wanted to play golf and I just supported his efforts. Parents should keep the game fun without applying pressure. Not every kid is going to be Tiger Woods. Refrain from being too critical. Your child will only get burned out and likely not want to play anymore. They’re children first. Let them enjoy it. Let them decide they want to do it. Then find a certified PGA professional for instruction. They’re trained to do it; parents aren’t. Tony Perez, father of PGA Tour player Pat Perez, who won this year’s Bob Hope Classic.  I think the secret to our daughter’s success is her focus and love of competition. Danielle didn’t see the usefulness of practice until she started playing tournaments at the age of 8. She is self-motivated, and wants to do well in golf and at school. I think one of the main things for Danielle is that her life isn’t centered around golf. She has many outside interests, but when she’s in tournament mode she steps up her practice sessions to be ready when she arrives at the first tee. The best advice I can give parents is to put the focus on having fun and working on the aspects of your child’s game that need help. I think any pressure to have the child win or do well is a hindrance to growth and enjoyment. Parents should remember that golf through high school, college and perhaps beyond is a long journey. The most important thing I tell my kids when they play is that they should have fun and learn something. Because if they’re not having fun, they shouldn't be wasting their time doing something they don't enjoy. They should learn from their play in tournaments and continually work to improve. Brad Frasier, father of Danielle, an AJGA All-American who plays at La Costa Canyon High School and has verbally committed to accepting a golf scholarship at Stanford. Our son, Jordan, made a decision at 14 to commit himself fully to golf. With that came hours and hours of practice and a commitment from us to provide him with the necessities to succeed. Access to quality facilities and lessons are often expensive and not easy to come by, so parental commitment is almost as important as the player’s commitment. The desire to play at a high level needs to come from the player. It cannot be forced upon them. It has to be fun. Be wary of coaching your child and don’t become too emotionally involved in their performance. Whether he or she shoots a 66 or an 86 is no reflection on you. Motivate your child by having them understand at an early age the tremendous benefits that can come with hard work and practice. Jordan recently had the opportunity to play in junior amateur events in China and Australia, which was a wonderful experience for him and great for me — because both were all-expenses-paid trips. Your child can’t do it alone, and they need you in many ways. Just make sure you’re enhancing their experience and not detracting from it. Michael Epstein, father of Jordan, a Future Collegians World Tour player and winner of the 2007 Grayhawk Raptor Open. Parents and junior golfers should be a team. We tote them around, applaud there shots, wipe their eyes, hold their hand while caddying and pick them up when they’re down. It’s a win-win situation because we’re spending time together. With support, they’re not afraid to try, not afraid to lose and not afraid to strive to be the best they can be. We function together as a family, and that includes golf as a medium to be together. When Waverly played in the L.A. City Junior Golf Championship, the entire family combined two days of golf with a trip to Universal Studios. We also like to eat dinner together after tournament rounds, and on practice days we don’t always talk about golf. In today’s busy climate it’s tough to be together, but the result and outcome of making it a family outing will keep your junior golfer interested and playing for the love of the game. Richard Whiston, father of Waverly, a qualifier for the 2007 Junior World and U.S. Kids World championships, and Nicole, a rising star.  When our daughter was 12, she begged us to let her play golf. Since then she loves playing and chatting with golfers, and she’s a hard worker who likes to learn everything about the game. When she was a teenager, she practiced during the evenings because of school activities and homework during the day. When it got dark, she wanted us to hold flashlights or turn on our car headlights so she could practice putting. The Pro Kids program through the First Tee in San Diego also was instrumental in her success. She learned how to practice and play, but the program also changed her personality. She was shy and quiet before she started the program, but now she is active, expressive and takes care of people around her. Parents should, I believe, find out what kind of sports their children like to play. If it’s golf, let them learn through trial and error. Make them decide what they want to practice, how to play the game and which club they want to swing. Their mistakes and successes will provide a path to success in the future. My wife, Ock (right), and I are only helpers and consultants to Tiffany. We’re just thankful for the ability to follow her and watch her play. Gun Joh, father of Tiffany, a senior on the UCLA women’s golf team, a two-time winner of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Publinks title and member of the U.S. Curtis Cup team. Our daughter expressed an interest in golf at 10, mainly because she enjoyed riding in a golf cart and spending time with her parents. At 11, she reluctantly agreed to play in a junior tournament and enjoyed the experience. She was playing soccer at the same time and had to decide whether to attend the next golf tournament or play in a soccer game. She chose golf. She started instruction with George Pinnell at Rowland Heights Golf Center when she was 12. Following his advice, we scheduled her to play in junior SCPGA tournaments. The success she experienced led to national AJGA events and a scholarship at UC Irvine, where she is enjoying the benefits of travel and top competition. My wife, Peggy, and I have encouraged Joy to work hard at golf and academics. By talking with parents of experienced junior golfers, we learned how to become more familiar with tournament entry rules, travel accommodations and financial arrangements. We also support her interest by providing golf magazine subscriptions and attending PGA and LPGA events in Southern California. As her golf developed, we supported her play in many USGA national events, and we now schedule family vacations around these events. This year her goal is to play in the USGA Publinks, the Women’s U.S. Open and the Women’s Amateur. Jim Trotter, father of Joy, a freshman golfer at UC Irvine. Daniel has a passion for golf and a work ethic that’s unbelievable. He'll putt for five hours, hit balls for two hours and then play 36 holes. To me, that’s torture, but it’s what he likes. I’ve never seen a junior hit a bad shot intentionally, but I have seen parents push their kids too hard. Your child is trying the best he or she can, and they need to know you love them no matter what score they shoot. Paul Miernicki, father of Daniel, a freshman golfer at the University of Oregon. ALSO SEE: Talega Golf Club combines surfing with golf Get in shape at Body Balance Fitness Academy JAGS Tour perfect for hard-working, competitive juniors Total Golf Adventures instructs juniors of all ages and skills Junior Golf directory of summer camps, clinics and tournaments throughout Southland |
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These are all great stories. It’s truly amazing to see such incredible talent come from our kids!
My late great uncle, “Coach” John Wooden, has two, among many famous quotes that I try to remember and live by.
1. A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.
2. Success is peace of mind that comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.
Karah Sanford first and foremost is my daughter…
Major Titles In 2010
*San Diego Junior Amateur Champion
*FCG World Champion
*San Diego Jr Masters Champion
*Callaway Jr World Champion
*Taylor-Made World Masters of Jr Golf Champion
*Callaway FCG Pacific Coast Champion
See more at www.karahsanford.com
With all of Karah’s success in golf, no doubt there is a great amount of time and preparation that goes into her game… But one thing that I have always tried to do is… “Keep It Fun”
Karah is self motivated, self determined, and focused beyond her years. She loves to practice and she loves to win!
But during our precious time together out on the golf course we often take time to hit an extra ball into the lake… feed a fish… hide a ball in a tree just to see if it will still be there tomorrow… fill up one of our cup holders with worms or rollie pollies… or just sit together and have a picnic in her pink pin striped golf cart. In our endless hours together we have turned over rocks looking for “friends” – saved a gophers life from the onslaught of the black crows – We’ve had chipping challenges countless times to see who’s paying for the ice cream cones and sharply swerved sharply many a time in an effort to avoid making squirrel pancakes…
These are memories that will last long after the thrill of a win has passed.
There is a time to play – and a time to focus… Find the balance…
Enjoy your time together –
~caddie daddy
| Comment at 11/23/2010 |
Great Article... I have created a great guide for junior golfers who want to play golf in college. I am a former division I golfer and know exactly what it takes to get a scholarship at any level. Check out my site for more info http://www.golfscholarshipexpert.com
| Comment at 2/21/2011 |
