Junior Golf Program
Theory: It has
always been the objective of the U.S. golf teachers federation to
teach the game of golf from green to tee. Steve Stroup, USGTF Level
III member, Fort Wayne, IN. has taken this concept to a new level with
his junior program. Steve believes the key question is how do you
challenge kids to progress and yet make it fun at the same time. The
answer lies in a new approach he developed and tested in a junior
program of 85 kids during the summer of 2004. Almost universally,
children are taught the game of golf by taking them to a driving
range, handing them a club and starting with the full swing. The short
game is taught almost as an after thought. If you stop and think about
it, this is like giving a novel to a six year old, starting on page
one, and painstakingly trying to teach him or her how to read. No one
would dream of using that approach. Instead, you build step by step,
teaching the alphabet, then phonics, then simple sentences and
paragraphs. This is all to say that perhaps golf instruction
(especially with children) should be approached starting with the
basics in a step by step building process. This new approach uses the
philosophy that starting with a short putt, then moving on to
chipping, pitching, and finally the full swing allows a much easier
progression with immediate success (a one foot putt has a high success
rate).
The concept of the
program is as follows:
* Train the basics: stance, grip, stroke, posture and tempo of the
putting stroke.
* Have the junior golfer pass a test, making three putts from one
foot, three from two feet, three from three feet, all in a row. If any
putts are missed from any distance, they start over again at one foot.
* The training portion is short and simple and the test challenges the
junior to achive a goal.
* Upon passing the test the parent signs a certificate signifying the
achievement.
* The parent is invited to be a part of the process by allowing them
to pass their child on the test portion outside the lesson time, the
parent signs the certificate. This removes the parent's desire to
control the lesson by including them in the process.
* The child works on a fun challenge while building their golf swing
from the smallest possible arc.
* Once the putting test is achieved, the junior moves to chipping. The
same step by step process is employed, utilizing a short iron with a
training grip.
The secret to the method is the junior reviews the putting basics
prior to working on the chipping fundamentals each time he practices.
Once the basics are properly trained, a chipping test is attempted,
passed, and the parent again signs off on the junior's certificate the
process continues with chipping, full swing, and finally an on course
proficiency test. The strengths of the approach are:
* The parents are invited to be involved in the process.
* The junior golfer knows the goal and his progress at all times.
* The junior golfer is constantly reviewing what he has already
learned, thus building on and mastering the fundamentals of a solid
golf swing.
* The junior golfer arrives at the final stage (the tee box) having
already achieved a good stance, grip, posture, and tempo, as well as
the ability to make solid contact with the ball every time.
By following this simple method, the frustration often felt by a child
trying to learn a full golf swing from the very beginning is
eliminated. How much more enjoyable it is to work with a junior on his
full swing when he already understands the basics of a full swing from
the fundamentals learned in putting, chipping and pitching.
This program is easily achieved with the GOLFOTRON'S many features
including a putting program. chipping program, driving range and full
course scenarios.
