Instruction: Ryan Rody

Ryan Rody

Junior Golf

How parents can really help

Ihave 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.

2B

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 good posture through impact.

Putt to your picture.

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.

3) CHIPPING AND PITCHING

A. DON’T SAY WEIGHT ALL THE WAY LEFT AND HIT BALL FIRST

You will see a lot of poor contact and bladed shots.

B. DO SAY WEIGHT SLIGHTLY LEFT AND BRUSH GRASS THE BALL

This will allow them to get the ball in the air by using the “bounce” or the bottom part of the club.

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 junior golf tournaments, and I have been on the bag for both of them. I have certainly made mistakes, and I am still learning. Kids are a little smarter than we think. So, next time they hit a putt way past the hole, let them recognize and adjust. We do not need to tell them it was too hard. I hope this helps you and your junior golfer enjoy the game more and keeps you both sane.

Ryan Rody PGA Director of Instruction Southern Hills Country Club