What coaches tell golf parents.

Right after an event, let the kid lead a review of what went well/what didn't; do general all around practice in between; get specific in the days before the next event.

Matt Thurmond (ASU head coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 2 · around 41:22

Add pressure to practice by putting kids on teams or having people watch; being accountable to others makes reps feel like competition.

Matt Thurmond (ASU head coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 2 · around 43:49

Don't call them drills, call them games ("let's play this game, try to beat me") and rotate about three games so kids stay engaged.

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 36:54

Putting: use a 3, 6, 9 ladder (putts to 3, 6, 9 feet) for speed control, then switch to lag putts before they get bored.

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 37:20

Speed training: "grip and rip" with a separate ball/session where the result doesn't matter, just how fast they can swing.

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 23:46

By about age 10, make sure someone has taught them correct basics (grip, general swing direction). It doesn't need to be technical.

Todd Kolb (instructor/author) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 9 · around 11:52

Build the short game early. A kid who can control the ball around the green can compete at any level.

Todd Kolb (instructor/author) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 9 · around 40:36

Have them talk you through their practice (what drills, what shots they're preparing) instead of beating balls aimlessly. Explaining it reinforces it.

Dr. Raymond Prior (sport psychologist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 10 · around 13:09

Kids who've only had screens struggle with patient, absorbing tasks. Encourage Lego style deep play and focus away from screens.

VJ Trolio (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 13 · around 36:22

She's a multisport advocate (episode theme); her own son played competitive soccer.

Kellie Stenzel (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 14 · around 13:15

Play games on the course: worst ball, and wedge games from various spots, alongside swing work.

John Dunigan (PGA Master Pro, US Kids Top 50) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 16 · around 33:52

Short game: short backswing, then accelerate through at full speed. Decelerating is the biggest error, even for pros.

Shawn Callahan (Butch Harmon School lead instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 17 · around 21:44

Spend more practice time on wedges/chipping (e.g. 3/4 wedges, 70 to 90 yd). A good short game is how you score.

Shawn Callahan (Butch Harmon School lead instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 17 · around 17:48

If a new tip doesn't feel like a light going on fairly quickly, try a different angle rather than forcing it.

Shawn Callahan (Butch Harmon School lead instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 17 · around 25:37

3 hole gate putting game: the ball must roll through a tee gate and go in. Play it with 5 balls to "win the game."

James Sieckmann (short-game coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 18 · around 14:56

Random putting: 10 putts from 3 to 7 ft to different holes, changing hole and distance every putt.

James Sieckmann (short-game coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 18 · around 17:33

Randomize practice and play competitive games (e.g. up and down challenges against other juniors).

Dale Abraham (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 19 · around 29:06

Putting circle ("tornado") drill around the hole instead of a straight ladder, with a set number of attempts to create pressure and keep it time boxed.

Dale Abraham (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 19 · around 39:26

Use a short game "handicap test" (a condensed version takes under 45 min) to score chipping/pitching and track progress.

Dale Abraham (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 19 · around 41:05

Overloading young kids with structured hours leads to burnout.

Kevin Sprecher (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 23 · around 17:57

Range game is often 10 to 15 shots better than course game. Get kids playing on the course, not just the range.

Kevin Sprecher (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 23 · around 26:10

Free play on the short game area: hitting every possible shot with every wedge for hours, as Cameron Young did growing up.

Kevin Sprecher (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 23 · around 00:08

Split practice into five parts: full swing, short game, putting, mental practice, and visualization as its own piece.

Coach TJ (Ivy League recruiting/coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 25 · around 24:52

Don't chase consistency, train adaptability: once they groove it, have them hit e.g. five low slices on purpose, then find the stock shot again.

Jason Baile (PGA Coach of the Year) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 31 · around 00:17

Play games on the putting green with a must make goal before you can leave.

Neal Shipley (Masters & US Open low am) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 32 · around 12:43

Scored practice rounds: give yourself a mark on the card for each missed fairway or green to track it honestly.

Ben Esposito (mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 35 · around 13:59

Keep a few blank pages in the back of the yardage book or notebook for mental game notes after rounds.

Ben Esposito (mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 35 · around 34:50

Talent without work doesn't go far. Effort is what lets potential show up.

Ed Oldham (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 38 · around 00:00

Work on a specific plan for 6 to 8 weeks, then go back and recheck, rather than changing things weekly.

Ed Oldham (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 38 · around 23:18

Golf is a game of failure. Set up tough situations in practice and help them work through bad shots.

Casey VanDamme (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 39 · around 09:11

For young kids, stay away from structure. Pair golf with fun (ice cream afterward), do group classes, play on the course, let them drive the cart, get cool gear and US Kids clubs.

Andrew Lewis (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 42 · around 35:17

Correct hip bridges help reset tension and are a simple body care exercise for golfers.

Ryan DeGale (injury/fitness specialist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 43 · around 17:34

Randomize practice and make it situational: one ball, quick reaction, not five goes at the same shot.

Mark Govier (high-performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 52 · around 17:18

Add consequence to practice: if they fail the task, they have to go tell a knock knock joke to strangers on the range. Silly stakes create real pressure.

Jeff Leishman (tour coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 53 · around 25:13

To build a "go low" mentality, play them off the forward tees and have them shoot as low as possible for 3 to 4 holes.

Jonathan Yarwood (Titleist staff coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 55 · around 31:29

Practice should transfer to the course. Move from range work into on course skill games.

Jonathan Yarwood (Titleist staff coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 55 · around 34:45

Closest to pin game with a target window and a consequence (e.g. one pushup per yard outside the window).

Patrick Sebastien (MMA/golf performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 56 · around 45:57

Don't get obsessed with how the swing looks or how fast and far; don't forget the little scoring things.

Harrison Kovelman (coach, started at 19) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 59 · around 17:52

After a shot, ask them why it went the way it did and what they'd change, so they learn to diagnose swing vs. outcome themselves.

Will Kelly (mental performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 61 · around 13:55

Fix in order: get back to baseline, then mechanics, then the mental game. "Find ball, hit ball."

Will Kelly (mental performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 61 · around 20:26

Big picture for parents: give kids proper fundamentals so they're skillful and having fun competing locally first.

Bernie Najar (Kyle Berkshire's coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 62 · around 35:03

Skip opposite side speed swings: his lab research found no benefit, and they just take time away from normal swings.

Dr. Sasho MacKenzie (biomechanist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 57 · around 51:37

When training speed, don't critique misses left or right. Kids won't swing fast if they're worried about accuracy, so "hit it into the ocean."

Bernie Najar (Kyle Berkshire's coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 62 · around 00:16

Balance is the speed limit: train speed first and let kids swing as fast as they can, as long as they hold their balance.

Virgil Herring (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 7 · around 27:33

College coaches often say "give me a kid with speed," because hitting it far is harder to learn than hitting it straight.

Kevin Sprecher (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 23 · around 24:36

For a 6 or 7 year old, chipping around the green from 10, 20 and 30 yards is basically a golf hole; good young players spend lots of time there.

Martin Chuck (Tour Striker, top coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 27 · around 21:09

Chip with just the dominant hand to build touch and feel.

Todd Kolb (instructor/author) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 9 · around 44:09

Hold chipping contests where kids pick the shot and the spot, so they practice solving problems with imagination.

Jason Baile (PGA Coach of the Year) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 31 · around 45:50

Skill beats pretty technique: in a chipping contest, whoever chips it closer is the more skilled player.

Jeff Isler (coach, 20 yrs junior golf) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 66 · around 12:39

Make bunker practice a challenge, like trying to get a greenside bunker shot within two meters a set number of times before moving on.

Jonathan Yarwood (Titleist staff coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 55 · around 12:21

Practice lag putting: juniors who hit the green are usually 20 to 40 feet away, so two putting from there is what turns good drives into pars.

Todd Kolb (instructor/author) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 9 · around 41:43

At the junior level, the game inside 30 yards is what keeps rounds together, more than at the pro level.

Jeff Leishman (tour coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 53 · around 33:15

Coaches want juniors to practice bunker shots and scoring shots on their own, not just the swing they came in to fix.

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 69:56

Hitting 500 putts is boring for an 8 or 9 year old. Play pig or a putting contest instead.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 3 · around 31:21

Feel drill: putt from 10, 20 and 30 feet, two putts with eyes open and two with eyes closed.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 3 · around 31:40

Play "closest to the pin" chipping contests to different pins from different lies, even against adults at the club.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 3 · around 32:13

A reasonable goal is a club in their hand every day for 20 or 30 minutes. It doesn't have to be an hour or two.

Golf Dads co-host or coach Troy Williams (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 4 · around 41:27

With wedges, practice flop, runner and mid spin shots so the player learns where their hands are and how the hands control the club.

Ryan McDonald (PGA professional) · Golf Dads · Ep. 7 · around 52:58

Use the same routine in practice as in play, and make practice a game: hit to baskets, poles or circles at different distances and trajectories.

Austin Graham (teaching pro) · Golf Dads · Ep. 13 · around 23:13

Borrow the Stocktons' putting idea: if the ball rolls over your spot, you did your job, whether or not it goes in.

Austin Graham (teaching pro) · Golf Dads · Ep. 13 · around 20:16

Let kids choose how practice starts, like putting, chipping or the range. Small choices help them feel they're doing it because they want to.

Alyssa Morahan (mental performance coach) · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 6 · around 21:44

When she started at five, her dad set up little games and drills on the putting green and paid her small change for putting to keep her coming back.

Gabby Then (LPGA pro) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 3 · around 16:42

Young kids don't have the attention span for long technical lessons. Find a coach who can translate golf for a child.

Tiger Dads host (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 9 · around 04:11

Touch the clubs every day, even if it's just putting on a mat at home.

Tiger Dads host (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 9 · around 39:59

Prioritize fitness and speed training, especially in the off season; college courses are long.

Wake Forest golfer (guest; speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 22 · around 17:27

Be intentional instead of a range warrior: if wedges from 60 to 70 yards are weak, work those numbers specifically.

Guest college coach (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 25 · around 21:56

Power doesn't depend on size: small players who hit it far are getting sequencing, torque and club head speed right.

Dr. Wu or host (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 40 · around 03:50

A good baseline for kids 5 to 7: about 30 minutes hitting a handful of balls up through the bag, then 15 minutes of chipping and putting before going home.

Tiger Dads host (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 40 · around 57:28

Her golf advice for kids: do your speed training. She swings three different weights, right handed and left handed.

Christine Wang (pro) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 44 · around 25:58

Keep instructions in a kid's world: for chips and pitches, tell them to "give the grass a haircut" so they get the right amount of downward motion.

Evan Lambert (junior coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 5 · around 29:03

Junior putters are often too light, and kids tend to accelerate the putter head instead of the handle. Ask the coach about putter fitting.

Ryan Dailey or Seth Thompson (host; speaker unclear) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 10 · around 17:38

Don't hit the same chip from the same spot over and over; kids disengage after about seven shots. Move around, because a real rep includes looking at what happened.

Iain Highfield (coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 12 · around 32:13

Use games that make kids choose, like which club gets the ball in a circle. A 7 or 8 year old will discover on their own that they chip better with a 9 iron than a pitching wedge.

Guest junior coach (name unclear in transcript) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 15 · around 23:03

Consistency can be tiny: putting along a yardstick for two minutes a day counts.

Guest junior coach (name unclear in transcript) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 15 · around 31:01

There's no "fixing" a kid's putting. It's growth and development across settings with different stress levels, from the home mat to tournaments.

David Orr (putting coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 18 · around 06:07

Want a better putter? Get them on lots of different greens so they learn to adapt to new speeds and grasses.

David Orr (putting coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 18 · around 45:17

The practice green is like a chalkboard and the course is the performance; a little something to putt on at home is nice too.

David Orr (putting coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 18 · around 73:58

Look at the round factually. Most juniors don't practice the things they actually struggle with.

Maggie Simons (coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 17 · around 30:28

Wedge distance drill: hit 50 balls at a towel or basket at a set number, see whether most finish short or long, then move the target and repeat.

Matt Moot (Campbell University coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 34 · around 18:06

Your main job is to be the parent who loves and supports, not the coach; let them fail and learn that they don't have to succeed every time.

Kevin Kirk (golf performance/mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 1 · around 55:13

Don't fast track: golf is a late specialization sport, so don't try to make a young kid act like an older one.

Kevin Kirk (golf performance/mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 1 · around 44:26

Be positive all of game day, not just before the tee time but especially after they finish.

James Leitz (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 4 · around 66:10

Kids, even 6 to 8 year olds, should carry their own bag and look after their own gear. If a parent has to carry it, the kid may be starting too early.

Andrew Rice (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 5 · around 13:02

Choose a coach carefully and stay with them; don't keep moving your kid from coach to coach chasing results. Weigh access and cost, not just the name.

Tony Ruggiero (tour coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 6 · around 28:54

Don't push, even subtly, to practice or compete. Let the kid set the agenda. Your job is to drive them, pick them up, and give unconditional love whether they play well or not.

Jim Waldron (BalancePoint Golf) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 8 · around 66:25

Let the coach be the coach. You're the support system; just love them through it.

Bo Watson / Shannon Shuskey (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 11 · around 44:38

Don't tell them what to fix; ask what they're going to do about it, and make the last thing you say before leaving them positive.

Lanny Bassham (Olympic champion, Mental Management) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 12 · around 26:57

Pray and proximity: access matters most. Kids who can get to a course whenever they want develop. Make access easy.

VJ Trolio (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 13 · around 46:04

For temper tantrums or club throwing, set a boundary on what comes out (behavior) even while they work through frustration inside.

Josh Nichols (golf psychology coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 15 · around 06:56

Keep it fun and don't push too hard; golf is hard enough to master.

Shawn Callahan (Butch Harmon School lead instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 17 · around 35:55

Find a coach whose system you believe in and stick with it. Technique isn't skill; skill (club, landing spot, read) is trained separately.

James Sieckmann (short-game coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 18 · around 28:46

When they melt down, let them calm down first, then go back in and problem solve. Early bloomers and late bloomers both happen.

Cheryl Anderson (2x LPGA National Teacher of the Year) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 21 · around 14:28

If you can, get a coach; being both parent and coach creates friction. If you must coach, do mostly parenting, let the kid guide it, and don't inject YouTube tips or your own swing ideas.

Kevin Sprecher (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 23 · around 43:14

Be a coach, not a cop. Celebrate the singles, not just the home runs; point to improvements; tell the truth in love and show a way to improve.

Dave Anderson (performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 24 · around 50:24

Be patient and be their best supporter.

Coach TJ (Ivy League recruiting/coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 25 · around 56:15

(Productivity, not golf.) Stop using your head as your office. Get a simple system to write down commitments so you're clear and present.

David Allen (Getting Things Done author) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 26 · around 48:06

Work on yourself as much as you want your child to; kids pick up all your little behaviors.

Paul Salter (golf hypnotherapist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 28 · around 51:41

Know what your kid is working on with their coach so you don't say something on tournament day that contradicts it and confuses them.

Alan Murray (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 29 · around 25:10

Ask your kid why they want to play (e.g. college golf). Their own "why" has to drive the work.

Keith Tyburski (Yale coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 30 · around 39:17

Don't put too much pressure on them. If you're not qualified on swing or mental topics, get them a coach rather than butting heads.

Neal Shipley (Masters & US Open low am) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 32 · around 48:33

On the range, resist telling them to change their grip. Kids become open to advice after they've failed a few times; until then, just play and have fun (even let them beat you).

Liam Mucklow (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 34 · around 50:10

The goal isn't the best 15 year old, it's the best 25 year old. Keep the long view.

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus (Collin Morikawa's mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 36 · around 08:17

Remember you can play golf with your kid. Don't lose sight of everything golf offers beyond competition.

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus (Collin Morikawa's mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 36 · around 45:21

For college paths, list what's important to you (location, scholarship, coach's vision) and find a fit, not just "the bag."

Casey VanDamme (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 39 · around 35:04

Sports are games of failure. Avoid negative coaching. (Episode argues against early specialization; the transcript's closing advice was unintelligible.)

Tom House (sports performance expert) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 40 · around 24:45

No college coach cares how good your 5-, 8- or 9 year old is. Don't worry about rankings at this age.

Andrew Lewis (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 42 · around 36:36

After you've calmed down from a frustrating day watching, reflect and write down what you want to say to your kid (and yourself) next time.

Andrew Lewis (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 42 · around 33:22

One of the hardest but most important things: let your kids fail so they learn.

Christina Lecuyer (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 45 · around 44:04

If considering an academy, ask hard questions starting with its corporate structure (for profit vs nonprofit) to judge fit.

Andrew Summers (golf academy director) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 46 · around 37:44

Kids are on an island out there; their scores aren't a reflection of you as a parent.

Todd Oehrlein (D1 coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 47 · around 40:13

It doesn't matter if they're the best 8- or 12 year old. Peak at 21 to 24. Skip the pressure to play endless out of state tournaments and focus on being an athlete.

Kevin Kirk (golf performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 48 · around 64:53

Be very open with your kid's coach so parents are part of the team, not part of the pressure.

Tim Cooke (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 50 · around 51:02

I want them to love the game. I want them to feel safe regardless of how they play.

Josh Zander (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 51 · around 00:00

In the early years you're the most important person in their life and what you say is gospel. Be careful with the narrative you give them, and let them enjoy the grind.

Mark Govier (high-performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 52 · around 46:44

Let your kids be athletes and diversify. Golf golf golf all the time leads to burnout, so let them try other sports.

Patrick Sebastien (MMA/golf performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 56 · around 49:03

When kids are upset, don't rush to solve the problem. Make it OK to fail and focus on learning from it.

Jon Tattersall (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 60 · around 50:56

Keep a healthy distance and support the coach. One successful parent says nothing at all about good or bad play.

Jeff Isler (coach, 20 yrs junior golf) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 66 · around 32:38

Don't keep saying "let's go win this tournament." It sets up the round as a failure unless they win, so get the whole family giving the same message.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 1 · around 44:20

Caddying parents live their kid's emotions. Take 5 or 10 minutes to vent to another adult, out of the kid's earshot, before you talk to your child.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 1 · around 48:08

After a round, let the kid come to you. If they want to talk, then give specifics, like "maybe a 7 iron there instead of 3 wood."

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 4 · around 30:15

Don't critique every shot during the round. It's easy to forget in the middle of a round that they're nine.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 4 · around 31:14

Rewards like "I'll buy you this if you break that score" may motivate short term, but they don't last because the drive doesn't come from the child.

Alyssa Morahan (mental performance coach) · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 6 · around 20:27

Kids can feel pressure even when parents aren't applying any, because they see you care and want to do well for you. Watch for it.

Alyssa Morahan (mental performance coach) · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 6 · around 24:31

Celebrate after every tournament whatever the result, with ice cream or a special dinner, and talk about what they did well and overcame. Playing nine holes is hard work at that age.

Temisha Mitchell Young · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 10 · around 36:12

Kids who look at their parents after every made or missed putt are a warning sign. Stand back and let them handle the round independently.

Former college coach (guest; name unclear in transcript) · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 12 · around 24:49

Parents don't realize how much they internally want results, like getting frustrated after rounds over a three putt or a ball OB, and kids feel it.

Guest former junior (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 9 · around 43:36

Teach kids to describe the miss ("I was hooking it left") instead of "I played horrible." Then ask: were you committed, was the strategy clear? They learn to assess themselves.

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus (mental game coach) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 20 · around 15:55

Comparing where your kid stands against others is mentally unhealthy unless they're by far the best in the group; there's no way to win it.

Tiger Dads host (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 32 · around 04:31

Rule one of caddying: never get too high or too low. Kids read a parent's excitement or a groan at a fried egg bunker lie.

Guest caddie (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 33 · around 13:10

A kid who looks at their parents right after a bad shot is a red flag. Parents need to react with "left, no big deal."

Alyaa Abdulghany (pro) or host (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 38 · around 19:16

At practice, ask instead of instructing: "What did you see the ball do? What do you think happened? What did your coach say to fix it?"

Evan Lambert (junior coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 5 · around 34:37

Don't debate the coach's methods in the middle of the lesson. Save the questions for afterwards or a phone call.

Ryan Smith (coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 4 · around 36:38

Parents often say their kid putted or chipped better at eight. Kids change as they grow, so adjust expectations.

Maggie Simons (coach) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 17 · around 16:46

Take a humble look inward: are you saying something with good intentions that puts unintended pressure on your child?

Ryan Dailey or Seth Thompson (host; speaker unclear) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 24 · around 13:21

Make sure your kid knows that even when you're angry or they play badly, you always love them.

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 73:29

The best players take responsibility (no blaming bad breaks or coaches) and have short memories. Model and reward that.

Tony Ruggiero (tour coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 6 · around 38:50

Kids learn life lessons and toughness through games and play, so keep golf playful when they're young.

Virgil Herring (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 7 · around 10:20

Golf beats everybody up. Be honest with your kid without being a "Pollyanna" who says everything's fine, and balance that honesty with support.

Todd Kolb (instructor/author) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 9 · around 09:37

Praise effort and decisions, not talent ("you're so talented"), so your kid's identity isn't tied to something they can't control.

Dr. Raymond Prior (sport psychologist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 10 · around 09:08

Praise them for playing freely: committing to a shot when they were nervous, whatever the result.

Dr. Raymond Prior (sport psychologist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 10 · around 12:04

Teach the mental game at the same time as technique, starting young. It's learnable, not something you either have or don't.

Lanny Bassham (Olympic champion, Mental Management) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 12 · around 11:32

Have a plan B: good grades and finishing school matter even for strong juniors.

Kellie Stenzel (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 14 · around 30:48

Normalize mistakes and talk about them openly. If mistakes carry stigma, the first big one is devastating.

Josh Nichols (golf psychology coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 15 · around 00:00

Praise the specific good things they did (process) rather than the result.

Josh Nichols (golf psychology coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 15 · around 42:55

Tell kids: you don't control your score, so hit it, go find it, and hit it again. The round isn't over until you leave the 18th green, so keep going.

John Dunigan (PGA Master Pro, US Kids Top 50) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 16 · around 46:22

Check in on self belief by asking point blank: "On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you believe in yourself right now?" and track it over time.

Brian Craig (college golf coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 20 · around 20:15

It's a game and games are supposed to be fun, especially at young ages.

Brian Craig (college golf coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 20 · around 23:41

Watch for negative self talk; it's self sabotage and ruins enjoyment of the game.

Brian Craig (college golf coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 20 · around 40:51

Golf is a mastery game. Don't worry about mistakes; help them learn from each one.

Cheryl Anderson (2x LPGA National Teacher of the Year) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 21 · around 13:20

People overestimate what they can do in the short term and underestimate the long term. Think in multiyear horizons.

Alex Hutchinson PhD (author, Endure) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 22 · around 47:14

After a bad hole (e.g. 3 to 4 shots to get out of a bunker), help them stop living in the future and get back to the next shot. "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Martin Chuck (Tour Striker, top coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 27 · around 40:37

Encourage your kid to get curious about their game rather than judgmental.

Paul Salter (golf hypnotherapist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 28 · around 51:56

How good is your bad? College coaches watch how kids respond to adversity. Praise good recoveries and reactions.

Alan Murray (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 29 · around 00:00

Golf is a game of mistakes. Don't let them beat themselves up for the ones that will inevitably happen.

Alan Murray (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 29 · around 31:50

Balance fun with teaching perseverance. Many kids quit early just because it stopped being fun.

Keith Tyburski (Yale coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 30 · around 34:47

Breathe, baby, breathe. Breathing to calm down is the number one skill for everyone, even 5 year olds.

Dr. Dana Sinclair (sport psychologist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 33 · around 34:21

Build self awareness: have them notice what they do well and what makes them great. The mental game is a trainable skill.

Ben Esposito (mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 35 · around 49:25

Teach kids to forgive themselves for mistakes; being too hard on himself stunted his own development.

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus (Collin Morikawa's mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 36 · around 37:40

Enjoy it: take pictures, look around, keep your head up, and don't take it too seriously.

Canon Claycomb (pro, former junior) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 37 · around 47:30

Goals: 1 to 2 big stretch goals plus 2 to 4 very attainable ones, written down and kept close.

Canon Claycomb (pro, former junior) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 37 · around 42:25

His number one goal is that the kid loves the game no matter what. For young kids it's about having a good time, not learning the swing.

Mike Schy (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 41 · around 31:03

Be Your Own Caddy: he caddies and berates every shot the way the kid talks to themselves, then asks if they'd fire him. Teaches kids that negative self talk is a terrible caddy.

Mike Thomas (Justin Thomas's father, PGA pro) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 44 · around 34:08

Teach gratitude for the opportunities and sacrifices that make their golf possible.

Todd Oehrlein (D1 coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 47 · around 38:52

Golf is a lifelong sport you can play without wrecking your body, a selling point for kids.

Scott Fawcett (DECADE course-management system) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 49 · around 12:04

Stay resilient; golf is inherently self evaluating at every level.

Chris Parra (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 54 · around 15:06

Play your game: play like a kid immersed in it, not checking and comparing talent on the first tee.

Dr. Bob Winters (sport psychologist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 63 · around 34:38

When a kid looks over to see who saw a missed putt, remind them nobody cares and the job is the next hole, not performing for the people watching.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 1 · around 45:18

In tense moments, go to your "BFFs": body language (how you carry yourself), feelings you want to express, and self talk.

Jason Sosa (mental performance coach) · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 7 · around 10:13

A child's perfectionism or fear of failure usually sits on a deeper belief that they can't fail; address that belief rather than just the bad shot.

Jason Sosa (mental performance coach) · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 7 · around 06:08

When people are watching, stay in the moment and focus on what you need to do to hit the shot.

Ashley Menne (pro) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 12 · around 13:20

Comparing yourself to others doesn't work. Do what's best for you; if you can't hit low wedges, find someone to teach you.

Rick Pano (Alexa Pano's dad) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 28 · around 27:25

After a tournament, before giving any opinion, ask "How do you feel about your tournament?" and let them tell you first.

Matt Thurmond (ASU head coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 2 · around 37:15

Don't ask "How did you do?" after a round; it invites dwelling on mistakes. Use 3 magic questions: 1) What did you do well / enjoy? 2) Talk about the solution, not the problem. 3) "What are you going to do about it?" and let them answer.

Lanny Bassham (Olympic champion, Mental Management) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 12 · around 21:04

After the round self evaluation: How was my game? What did I do well? What not as well? Then set 2 to 3 keys for the next day.

Dale Abraham (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 19 · around 30:35

First tournaments: tell them butterflies are normal and the reason we compete. Embrace being nervous.

Brian Craig (college golf coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 20 · around 37:47

The kid has to be the engine. Challenge: for the next out of town tournament, have the kid do the planning.

Alan Murray (college coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 29 · around 42:25

Sometimes drop them off. Check they have water and snacks, then "you're on your own." Many kids admit they play better when the parent isn't watching.

Liam Mucklow (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 34 · around 51:53

Your kid already knows what went well and badly. Frame after the round questions carefully and choose what you emphasize.

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus (Collin Morikawa's mental coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 36 · around 23:27

After the round, he reaches out and first just asks how it went.

Mike Thomas (Justin Thomas's father, PGA pro) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 44 · around 11:49

After a poor finish, ask how they feel and still help them find the positives in the round.

Todd Oehrlein (D1 coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 47 · around 34:24

After an event where goals weren't met, make a game plan for the week, then stretch it into month and year goals.

Tim Cooke (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 50 · around 19:44

Reflect after rounds in writing: what to adjust, and also praise yourself for the positives.

Mark Govier (high-performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 52 · around 22:17

Right after the round, the five words to say: "I love watching you play." Save the debrief for a day or two later, once they've settled.

Jeff Isler (coach, 20 yrs junior golf) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 66 · around 30:28

Debrief by asking "why" questions (why that score? what happened?) to help them reflect and spot patterns, not to put them on the spot.

Jeff Isler (coach, 20 yrs junior golf) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 66 · around 29:13

Tournament day: be well rested, eat well, don't sleep until the last minute, and arrive early to loosen up first rather than hitting balls to loosen up.

Jeff Isler (coach, 20 yrs junior golf) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 66 · around 24:18

Before the round: have them set a realistic score, then ask "What two things can we do today to get there?" No technical changes on game day.

Jeff Isler (coach, 20 yrs junior golf) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 66 · around 27:34

Before entering a kid in tournament golf, prepare them on the course, not just the range, so they know what to expect when they get out there.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 1 · around 17:23

Once you're at a big event like Worlds, you're not going to fix a swing. Keep the practice light and have some fun.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 12 · around 38:38

Before competitions, ask whether your child actually wants to compete right now. If yes, find a healthy balance that includes breaks so they don't burn out at the course.

Coach Bridget Ackley · Golf Mom Mindset · Ep. 4 · around 13:04

Playing up against older kids from longer yardages taught her to use her longer irons instead of just driver and wedge, and helped her grow.

Yana Wilson (pro) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 39 · around 05:26

Don't wait until a child can shoot a certain score before letting them compete. Kids who go out, get reps and fail early are hard to catch up to.

Ryan Dailey or Seth Thompson (host; speaker unclear) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 10 · around 33:55

For a player just starting to compete, go into events with no score expectations; it's about getting reps.

Ryan Dailey or Seth Thompson (host; speaker unclear) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 24 · around 10:07

Reading putts: most players should play way more break than they think.

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 38:38

As a parent between shots: whatever you do, don't talk.

Bo Watson / Shannon Shuskey (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 11 · around 44:57

With young kids, if they're stuck in a really tough spot, keep it fun: use a "Texas wedge" or a little "foot wedge" to move it to an easier shot.

Cheryl Anderson (2x LPGA National Teacher of the Year) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 21 · around 15:26

Use a breath before the shot (deep inhale, exhale, then go) like free throw shooters, to release tension.

Dave Anderson (performance coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 24 · around 42:37

Walk nine holes together on short or inexpensive courses. It builds great memories and gets kids playing.

Martin Chuck (Tour Striker, top coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 27 · around 24:06

Present moment trick: a small pebble in the pocket or shoe as a cue to come back to now when the mind wanders to past or future.

Paul Salter (golf hypnotherapist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 28 · around 48:19

When the A game isn't there, ask "what else can I do today?" Have backup shots and a plan to grind a score.

Jason Baile (PGA Coach of the Year) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 31 · around 18:12

Give kids 1 to 2 simple task focused cues and teach them to talk themselves through the shot to get back into the present.

Dr. Dana Sinclair (sport psychologist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 33 · around 44:05

Golf is so hard you have to play it correctly. Learn smart targets and strategy rather than firing at every flag.

Scott Fawcett (DECADE course-management system) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 49 · around 00:04

Most people take on too much risk. Judge recovery shots by leaving them inside five feet, not by hero shots.

Jeff Leishman (tour coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 53 · around 35:20

Putting research favors giving the ball a speed that gets it to the hole; lag putting is a key skill (he cites Instinct Putting).

Dr. Sasho MacKenzie (biomechanist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 57 · around 36:32

Green reading for 6 to 8 year olds: "feel with your feet." Have them stand on the slope and feel which way it tilts.

Mark Sweeney (AimPoint creator) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 58 · around 07:05

Design your game around making birdies and avoiding big numbers. Understand what scoring actually requires.

Mark Sweeney (AimPoint creator) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 58 · around 44:46

Step up to every putt with purpose and commitment. "A putt is a putt"; don't label some as "big putts."

Dr. Bob Winters (sport psychologist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 63 · around 50:10

Talk through the hole: how far to carry the bunker or false front and how far to the back, not just the number to the flag.

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 56:50

Use a "think box" behind the ball to choose target, club and swing, then commit in the "play box."

Joe Hallett / Maureen "Coach Mo" Farrell (speaker unclear) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 3 · around 59:11

Play away from big trouble like out of bounds; rough or a bunker on the safe side is fine, since doubles and triples are what hurt scores.

Todd Kolb (instructor/author) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 9 · around 49:15

Caddies shouldn't line kids up before every shot or physically move them into position. Know the rules so kids learn to do it themselves.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 12 · around 21:44

Write down how each hole went (tee shot, approach, chip, putts). Do that over and over and a common theme shows up in where shots are lost.

Ryan McDonald (PGA professional) · Golf Dads · Ep. 7 · around 45:49

Talk in numbers ("let's hit this number") rather than club names, plan where not to miss, and play away from trouble.

Guest caddie (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 33 · around 19:07

Supervise young kids in the gym. Racing or competing in training leads to injuries (wrist ligaments, broken bones).

Ryan DeGale (injury/fitness specialist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 43 · around 10:02

Use launch monitors mostly for feedback and preloaded practice games, not obsessing over numbers.

Mike Thomas (Justin Thomas's father, PGA pro) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 44 · around 38:16

Check the grip. It's the one attachment to the club, and a bad grip can hold back power.

Josh Zander (coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 51 · around 14:27

Speed training with lighter/heavier implements is generally reasonable; an age matched baseball bat for a 9 year old is a similar load. Measure rather than assume.

Dr. Sasho MacKenzie (biomechanist) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 57 · around 55:16

Beware information overload from data and tech. Use data to learn what good players actually do.

Jon Tattersall (instructor) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 60 · around 16:51

Don't copy gym or speed programs from online. Get a movement screen and a qualified pro; wrong training (e.g. squats without ankle mobility) can hurt the swing or cause injury.

Bernie Najar (Kyle Berkshire's coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 62 · around 29:51

Filter out outside swing advice. Her dad, her only coach, screens out the noise.

Megan Khang (LPGA pro) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 64 · around 42:55

Get educated and hire qualified fitness pros; don't program workouts for your kids off YouTube. "Assess before you build."

Shaun Diachkoff (golf fitness coach) · The Golf Parent · Ep. 65 · around 32:24

Match the ball to swing speed. A kid swinging 70 to 80 mph is probably losing distance off the tee with a 100 compression ball; about 70 compression fits better.

Golf Dads co-host (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 13 · around 59:31

Club weight matters a lot: a cut down adult club with a steel shaft is too heavy for a five year old, and some kids just can't generate the speed to get the ball in the air.

Troy Williams (coach) (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 4 · around 09:46

The club doesn't know a player's age or gender, only how hard it's swung, so fit to swing speed rather than age.

Austin Graham (teaching pro) (speaker unclear) · Golf Dads · Ep. 13 · around 48:44

Save money on a junior driver: buy a used head and try shafts at fitting or demo days, keeping the head, which is the expensive part.

Tiger Dads host (speaker unclear) · Tiger Dads · Ep. 41 · around 27:39

Making badly fit clubs work forces a player to build bad habits, so get properly fit.

Henry-Griffitts fitter or host (speaker unclear) · The Golf Sit Down · Ep. 20 · around 06:53