How Does Junior Golf Instruction Shape Mindset?

Every successful golfer or athlete in any other sport was once a dreamer who wanted to make it big someday. With years of patience, resilience, practice and hard work, a motivated junior golfer can accomplish anything. Golf requires focus, mental fortitude, and patience. I am Michael LaBella, a performance golf coach at Butler Country Club. For over a decade, I have been coaching and guiding junior golfers along to achieve their dreams.

Over the years of coaching junior golfers I have observed that they grow within the game; not only are they learning to increase their skill set on the course, they are growing as individuals off the course. They build resilience, character, professionalism, and become mentally prepared for every challenge.

Through my experiences, junior golf instruction can assist in shaping the mindset of junior golfers. Here, I have discussed how it can help your junior golfer.

Being Mentally Prepared Before the Tournament

In golf we face many obstacles whether it be ourselves saying we are not good enough, our playing partners, the course and conditions for the day, or even the pressure to make the most simple shots happen like a five foot putt.  Being mentally prepared is as important as being physically prepared. Here are a few practices that I ask my golfers to follow.

Motivate Yourself

Creating motivation is such an interesting topic because it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. Motivation can come from different internal desires or external rewards. The goal is finding what really drives you, and sometimes, it involves some of trial and error.

One of my favorite things for junior golfers is to kickstart their motivation by setting clear, achievable goals. When you have a specific target, it becomes easier to stay focused and persistent. Start by breaking down larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This way, you can celebrate small victories along the way, which boosts confidence and keeps the momentum going.

Another powerful motivation booster is connecting with your purpose. Ask yourself why you want to achieve this goal. Sometimes, just reminding yourself of the bigger picture can reignite your passion and determination.

It's also important to surround yourself with positive influences, such as a mentor and/or coach, or a group of supportive friends. The environment you’re surrounded in can make a huge difference. This can help keep you inspired and push you through those days when motivation feels a little low.

Use the Power of Imagination

As mentioned above, let's not forget about maintaining a positive mindset. Visualization is a great tool for this. Spend some time each day imagining yourself achieving your goals, feeling the emotions, and celebrating the successes. This mental rehearsal can create a sense of readiness and enthusiasm for your journey.

I encourage all of my junior golfers to use their power of imagination. It can be at home, on the practice tee, or on the way to a tournament.  Imagination in golf is like having a secret weapon. It allows you to rehearse shots in your mind, preparing you for the real thing. Many professional golfers use visualization to create a mental blueprint of their perfect game. When you imagine yourself succeeding, your brain sends signals to your body that can help you execute those shots with more confidence and precision.

To increase this confidence I ask all of my players, not just my junior golfers, to write down the best shot they ever hit with every club in their bag. Where it was, what hole it was on, what the shot felt like and what the shot looked like. If they can keep these in their memory bank it gives the motivation and confidence they need when they are over the ball. They can recall these instances, and try to feel that same shot again when in the moment. 

The power of imagination is truly remarkable, especially in golf. It's not just about hitting the ball; it's about envisioning the shot, feeling the swing, and seeing the ball land exactly where you want it to. This mental imagery can significantly enhance your performance on the course.

Start by incorporating imagination into your practice routine. Start by visualizing each shot before you take it. Picture the ball's flight, the way it will land, and the path it will roll. This mental practice will create a sense of familiarity and comfort, even in challenging situations.

Junior golfers are already creative as they learn through self-discovery and experimentation. From my experience, I can say that visualization is one of the most effective tools for junior golf instruction.

Save Energy For Big Day

Whether it's a tournament or any significant event, it’s all about managing your energy wisely. It’s not just about what you do on the day itself but also how you prepare leading up to it.

First, consider your physical energy. Make sure you're well-rested, hydrated, and nourished. A good night's sleep is crucial. Try to establish a consistent sleep routine a few days before your big event so that your body gets into a rhythm.

Next, think about your mental energy. As mentioned above, visualization can be a powerful tool. I tell all of my junior golfers to spend some quiet time visualizing moments when they performed their best and how they want to feel during the event. This mental imagery helps prime your brain and can reduce anxiety.

Breathwork and meditation are two excellent ways to conserve and boost your energy. It helps to center the mind and rejuvenate the body. 

Mandatory Pre-Competition Routine

Junior golfers often get nervous before their big events. Therefore, I work with them on developing a pre-competition routine so they can remain calm and confident as they prepare to tackle the golf course. Golfers should start their pre-round routine with stretching exercises, along with slow breathing or meditation techniques, where they will be able to visualize their shots and how they want the day to go.

From here they will then follow a very specific plan from putting, chipping, and full-swing. They will keep this pre-routine routine consistent from event to event which will allow them to feel prepared and confident.

How to Strengthen Your Mindset?

All that I have discussed above is not a one-day process. It is built with practice and continuous effort. You can apply it step-by-step in your routine. Start by creating a simple pre-competition routine. Include sessions that help junior golfers relax their minds. The more they practice it, the more it becomes a habit.

A few days later, add other skills in, like monitoring their positive and negative thoughts that came to their mind during the match.

One drill I have with my junior golfers is post round write down all of the negative thoughts you had throughout the round. When did these happen, was there something that triggered each of these negative thoughts? Next they will then write down all of the positive thoughts they had throughout the round, and what triggered these. As they write these down they will start to see how silly the negative thoughts are and we are able to create a plan to reframe these thoughts into positive thoughts. As time goes on we start to see less and less negative thoughts creep in. 

Shaping Mindset for Better Performance

At MLaB Golf, I, Michael LaBella, am more focused on making sure my junior golfers have fun and enjoy the game first while walking away with a positive mindset. After training so many golfers, one thing I have realized is that real success comes with gratitude and a positive mindset.

Through junior golf instruction, you can learn the skills to build a positive approach towards the game. At MLaB Golf, I have assisted junior players to develop technical skills in the game along with self-belief. With a positive mindset, a golfer can tackle any situation on the golf course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is mindset training important in golf?

In mindset training, young golfers are trained to keep their mind calm and positive in every situation. This helps them focus on their game.

What mental preparation methods are taught at MLaB Golf?

Michael LaBella, coach at MLaB Golf, trains junior golfers to use the power of visualization, positive self-talk, and practice pre-competition routines to keep calm and confident. This helps players give their best performance on the golf course.

What can parents expect from junior programs?

In junior golf programs, apart from learning the techniques of the game, they will have fun, learn to respect the game of golf, and learn mindset building strategies. This helps the golfer both on and off the course.