I'm honored and happy to announce that I have won the 2013 Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Leader Award for our chapter. I have a lot of pride in my juniors and my program, and its great to get recognition for what I do. What makes it even better is that I love what I do and I would never change my job for anything, so getting this award for doing what I love is just awesome.
Next step is to win the same award for the entire North Texas section. That decision will be made soon, so hopefully its good news!
I have had several junior golfers make big breakthroughs this summer. Several have won individual tournaments and a few of my older high schoolers are talking with college programs about playing for them. Its a exciting time at the club and I am constantly reminded by member and employees at the club that they have never seen this many junior golfers out during a summer or throughout the year.
One of my personal goals is to be a better motivator for my juniors. Golf is the hardest game in the world and is never mastered. Improving takes time, patience, discipline, endurance, guidance, instruction and a great plan. I want all my juniors to be motivated to be the best they can be, and to do that they need to practice consistently.
A great instructor, buddy and teammate (in college) of mine found that research shows people who can practice consecutive days in a row will improve significantly more than those who practice once is a while or every other day. The basic premise is that 14 days (2 weeks) of consecutive practice will produce better results than 14 days spaced out over a month. Your body and brain have the ability to remember feels and thoughts throughout your practice that helps you maintain and progress in your practice. By taking days off between practice sessions, you body and mind forget what they are working on and the little ideas that help you progress.
Two of my students, Jordan and Kyler are a great example. They had high school tryouts today and have been working with me all summer (in my academy) with little practice in between trainings. Ten days before tryouts, they made a pact with me that they would practice for the next 10 days in a row for 5 hours per day in order to get ready for tryouts. I made them a detailed practice plan to follow to make sure they practiced with a purpose and structure. For the most part, they made it to the course everyday (even in pouring rain and 100+ heat) to practice their 5 hours. I am so impressed with them, and I knew they would perform well in their tryouts.
Last year, Kyler had trouble keeping his scored in the 90's with a good round being high 90's and a bad round having no real ceiling (scary). Jordan has been improving consistently for a while, had a career low of 89 in last years high school season but had an average somewhere in the mid to high 90's. Today, at Oak Hollow Golf Course, Jordan shot a new career low 87 and made her Varsity team. Kyler shot a career low 85 and made his JV team. He is on his way to Varsity next year and Jordan has now expressed some interest in playing golf in some capacity in college.
Its amazing what a little determination and commitment will do for your golf game.
I saw a great quote recently that really sums it all up:
"If it's important enough to you, you will find a way. If it's not, you will find an excuse"
All of my juniors tell me they want to get better at golf. They all do, just by being in my academy and getting time with me. But the ones who really want to be good will go the extra mile and put in the 20-30 hours per week it takes to really be great!
Great job to Jordan and Kyler!
Also, Jordan texted me after her round. After congratulating her, I said "Take a day off tomorrow, you deserve it." She texted me back "hahahaha nope, my chipping needs work." That is dedication and she has the internal motivation needed to be a great player. I'm excited for her this year.
Golf is Fun!
