Junior Golf Is Becoming More Competitive?Why?
How do you get the edge when you're playing junior golf? To keep up with the top junior
golfer's means getting stronger both physically and mentally; and almost perfecting your golf
swing. That's how competitive it's become.
There are big bucks at stake. Full
scholarships are now worth up to a hundred thousand dollars, and for some of these to junior
golfers, becoming a professional golfer can mean millions...
We have started to see a
dramatic change in the caliber of junior golfers. They are getting fitter, stronger and are
hitting it as long as the PGA and LPGA players. This is a combination of personal coaching on
swing mechanics and getting stronger.
Junior golfers like Ty Tryon, Michelle Wie and the
Song sisters are a perfect example of what junior golfers are capable of, given the right
approach. Parents are now realizing the investment in their kid's golf pays off big when they
receive partial or full scholarships for college. The difference between junior golfers and
adults is typically strength - not flexibility. I've worked with hundreds of junior golfers
and within a very short period of time, doing strength training, their drives increased as
much as 50 yards.
Participating in a strength training program doing the wrong exercises
can hurt junior golfers not help them. The exercises have to compliment the golf swing from a
dynamic standpoint and a stability standpoint. If this is not taken into consideration,
improvement will not happen.
The age to begin a strength training workout for juniors is
between 12-13 on up. Having a professional oversee the program at the earlier ages is crucial.
The upside is a rapidly improving game and who knows...a scholarship for college.
Too
many parents and juniors are going it alone and aren't seeing the results they hoped for.
This can be a long and frustrating road to take. Why not save years of searching and hundreds
if not thousands of dollars, by doing a little research? Do some talking around your town to
see if anyone knows of a fitness trainer who understands golf.
They are a rare breed,
but if you look hard enough you can find someone somewhat qualified. Even talk to some of the
teaching pros. They might know of some golf trainers who are acceptable. If not, hit the
book store. There are several golf fitness books out there, but be on the
"lookout".
From what I've seen, most of them are NOT golf fitness books, but
only "general" fitness books in disguise. If you see any pictures of a golfer
sitting in or on a machine, don't by the book. That is a telltale sign of a general fitness
book. Remember, golf is played on your feet, not sitting down.
