ONE OF THE MAJOR BENEFITS
of being an instructor at the PGA Tour Golf Academy
is working with junior golfers. It is truly exciting
to work with kids who love this great game and want
to be a part of it.
Our junior programs represent one of the main
cornerstones and priorities of our academy. Whether
it is the junior camps in the summer or the individual
training throughout the year, there is nothing
more gratifying than impacting a young player's
game and helping him accomplish his goals.
Juniors who learn the proper fundamentals at
a young age have a huge advantage over those who
take up the game as adults. It is always better
to learn the correct way when you are young than
to wait until later and try to get rid of bad
habits instilled in your muscle memory.
I also advise parents to seek instruction for
their children from a professional instructor
for kids. There are just too many poor, unnatural
positions in the golf swing to accidentally adopt.
So allow the learning curve to begin at a young
age.
Golf instruction can mean different things for
different kids. For example, young kids in their
pre-teens may only warrant short 15- to 30-minute
sessions. These lessons can be a positive and
fun experience for kids, introducing new ideas
and seeds for future golf growth.
Once players reach their teenage years, it may
be time to get into more advanced instruction.
For example, 30-minute sessions could turn into
hour-long private lessons with better attention
and interest. However, private lessons are not
for every kid. A group setting might be less intimidating
and offer a more pleasing environment for them.
Junior camps or group lessons may be the answer
in these situations. Whatever the program may
be, there should be an opportunity for every young
player to learn proper technique and have a positive
experience.
Here are a few fundamentals to get your kids
moving in the right direction:
Grip
Make sure the grip is in the fingers and the "V"
you form with your thumb and index finger points
toward your right shoulder (for a right-handed
player). This is called a strong grip and promotes
more of a draw. One of the most common errors
for young players is having a grip that's too
weak, with the "V" pointing more toward the chin.
A weak grip creates an open clubface, resulting
in bad compensations over time.
Spine
Angle
This is the forward bend of your spine. A simple
drill to help you achieve the correct spine angle
is to stand tall with your knees locked and your
chin up. Bend forward from your hips, keeping
your back straight and your chin up. Next, bend
your knees slightly, keeping your bottom out.
You should now feel as though you are in a very
athletic position, which will allow good things
to happen with your pivot.
Spine
Tilt
From an athletic spine angle, tilt your spine
away from the target, countering by pushing your
hips slightly toward the target. This is a counterbalance
and will position your head behind the ball. Proper
spine tilt is a bit unnatural and represents one
of the most overlooked fundamentals in the game
of golf.
By applying these methods and finding good instruction
for young players, you can help ensure that golf
continues to grow among future generations.
