I NST RUC T ION
Junior Golf Ryan Rody
How parents can really help
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have been watching kids with their parents on the range, and during the season of the U.S. Kids junior golf tournaments. There has been a common theme of what I would call “poor advice” and I am here to help stop some of the madness. Here are some things you should say, and a few things not to say as they practice and play. 1) THE FULL SWING A. DON’T SAY KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN This will create “early extension” it makes them stand up too soon and will even cause them to top the ball. B. DO SAY – TURN TO THE TARGET This will allow them to rotate through the shot and keep
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good posture through impact. 2) PUTTING DON’T SAY DON’T HIT IT TOO HARD Most likely they will be tentative, putt with fear, and leave it way short. B. DO GIVE AFFIRMTIVE ADVICE An example of this would be putt to your picture. Tiger Woods still uses this feel that he learned from his dad when he was a kid. He will look at his target, then back to the ball, and putt to the entire picture he saw.
GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2022
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Putt to your picture.
4) TAKING LESSONS DON’T ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AFTER THE LESSON Adding two or three more things will make them forget the entire golf lesson. DO ASK THE JUNIOR AND THE COACH WHAT THEY LEARNED / WORKED ON AND SPEAK THEIR SAME LANGUAGE This shows your junior and your coach that you trust both of them and want to be a part of the process. I love watching junior golfers improve and fall in love with the game. My boys have started playing in these U.S. Kids 3) CHIPPING AND junior golf tournaments, and I PITCHING have been on the bag for both A. DON’T SAY of them. I have certainly made WEIGHT ALL THE WAY LEFT AND HIT mistakes, and I am still learning. Kids are a little smarter BALL FIRST You will see a lot of than we think. So, next time poor contact and blad- they hit a putt way past the hole, let them recognize and ed shots. adjust. We do not need to tell B. DO SAY them it was too hard. I hope WEIGHT SLIGHTLY this helps you and your junior LEFT AND BRUSH golfer enjoy the game more and GR ASS THE BALL This will allow them keeps you both sane. to get the ball in the air Ryan Rody by using the “bounce” PGA Director of Instruction or the bottom part of Southern Hills Country Club the club.
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