Development Of Competitive Junior Golfers

In the competitive world of junior golf, finding a cost effective way to develop the talented junior golfer can be very expensive. There is significant competition for the few scholarships offered by major college programs. With that in mind, some parents are willing to spend a small fortune to send their child to a top golf academy. The instruction these students receive is second to none, but most people simply can't afford the tuition involved.

Unfortunately, the alternatives closer to home are few and far between. It is very difficult to find an instructor that actually focuses on developing junior players who have the talent to compete at a higher level. Most instructors simply offer instruction to beginners or intermediate players, as they themselves don't often have the skills to work with scratch golfers. Since they tend to also where the hat of a head golf professional or assistant golf professional, they simply do not have the time to provide more in depth instruction. These professionals spend most of their time running a pro shop, dealing with club members or patrons, directing tournaments, managing personnel, etc.

Another issue with finding instruction for the competitive junior golfer at the local level is the expense. Top teachers usually charge over $100 per hour, although they may offer a lower rate for juniors. However, even if the rate is just $75 per hour, one lesson per month adds up to $300, and that is quite a bit for most families, especially in this economy.

The alternative is the professional that offers a junior program that is tailored to the needs of the student, and set up more on a tuition basis. For a set amount each month, say $150 to $200, a student can have their game fully evaluated by the instructor, who can then develop a plan for improvement. There is no need for a full blown lesson every week, but the instructor can provide the tools necessary for the student to improve on their own. Once the student's game is evaluated, the instructor provides the drills, swing thoughts, golf course management ideas and mental tips to help the student improve. The instructor can then simply make themselves available through conversation or email, and fewer lessons are required.

Now, the instructor also has the opportunity to keep track of the progress of his students through the use of the internet. Students can provide certain information regarding their rounds of golf by uploading it via cell phone or computer, and it can be sent straight to the instructor. The instructor then has the information necessary to potentially make recommendations for improvement without seeing the student.

The bottom line is that there is a more cost effective alternative to developing the junior golfer. Parents should take the time to research their local teaching professionals to find the few that set themselves apart from the rest in this regard. By finding a top instructor locally, they will provide their junior golfer a better opportunity to compete with the kids that have the opportunity to attend the high end golf academies.


Copyright (c) 2010 Scott Cole