×

Rating Guide Image

Preparation

Why Practice?

Why Practice? 

 …or HOW to Prepare for Competition?

How many times are you great at practice and poor in competition?  Probably more than you would like.  It is time to stop “practicing” and start having proper preparation for competition.

Let’s think of it in terms of your classroom studies.  Would you study your history notes in preparation for your calculus exam?  Would you casually look over your Physics notes in preparation for an AP Physics exam.  I think not.
Yet, I constantly witness young golfers preparing for the test in golf (competition days) randomly and haphazardly… no pressure, no commitment, happy-go-lucky, I got this sort of focus.

 

Practice Hard, Play Easy

(Secret of My Success)

 

“I believe the purpose of practice is to prepare for competition by challenging yourself .”

~Maggie

 

Apply pressure in practice to learn YOUR tendencies and teach YOURSELF ways to overcome them.  Every elite business or athletic professional has learned to limit their tendencies under pressure using their OWN little aids and tricks. (Keep a little notebook in your golf bag.) YOUR tendencies will never go away under pressure.  Stop thinking they will.  (Just ask Sergio Garcia, 2017 Masters Champion).  However, YOU can learn to contain and limit YOUR tendencies. (Like plugging up holes in a sinking boat.)

Teach yourself to have fun building the “house of pain” in practice so that you can learn how to limit your “crumble” in competition. The crumble happens to everyone… even on their best days.  Teach yourself to manage it. Guess what? You will learn the ability to smile at adversity in competition and excel under pressure.

I hope you saw Jordan Spieth play some this week.  He did not have his “A” game, but he fought through his adversity and holed a bunker shot to win the play-off!  I know for a fact that he challenges himself in his practice to prepare for just that very moment!  Are you pushing yourself in your practice to be ready for your moment?

Find out How to Prepare for Competition in Maggie Notes

Recruiting Reminders for Parents

During my time at junior golf tournaments, a few recurring themes emerged at these events that merit some emphasis with the summer recruiting season fast approaching. First,  juniors and their parents should know that there are many opportunities to play at the college level.  There are over 2000 college golf programs—many...

This content is for Student Athlete and Trial - Student Athlete members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Recruiting is a Two-Way Street

Member News Recruiting is a two-way street …Call it crazy, but call them!   I’m sure every junior golfer thinks it is a bit crazy that a college coach would actually want to have a conversation with you on the phone.  Don’t they know SnapChat is much easier?  How about...

This content is for Student Athlete and Trial - Student Athlete members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

When should we start visiting colleges?

Gary, from Illinois asks:

When should we start visiting colleges?

Start anytime. I would recommend driving through a campus or two when your teen is approaching 9th grade. Or, plan to stop for lunch and walk around. Many college cafeterias allow guests to pay and dine. Between 9th and 10th grade, check with college admissions, take a tour, observe a class in session, and explore a dormitory. It is acceptable to ask the coach for 10-20 minutes with advance notice during your freshman and sophomore year (provided it is allowed by the recruiting rules). Do not be disappointed if the coach is unavailable. You will appreciate the coach’s schedule when your child is on a roster.

Please be respectful of time when you ask. The coach will have paperwork to do if you speak and have an unofficial visit.

It may be helpful to visit a campus with just 2-3k students and compare to larger schools of 15-20k students. Observe classes in both environments.

Consider the practicality of playing golf in different climates. Perhaps limit your school visits to either southern or southwestern schools if you want to play outdoors year-round. If this is not a concern, expand your choices to include Ivy League schools, (strong academics), or northern division III schools which may include more time away from golf during the academic year. However, some northern programs have impressive facilities for indoor putting and practicing during inclement winter weather.

Also think about visiting schools of different division levels. Wonderful programs exist in all divisions. Always ask yourself, “Will I be happy here if something unforeseen happens and I am unable to play golf?”

How to prepare to speak with a college coach

As you learned in Recruiting is a Two-Way Street, here is the rest of the story: How to prepare for a phone or in person interview 1. Know the Schools.  Start a notebook of colleges.  Make 3 pages for each school:   Academics,  Athletics,  Student life.  At the bare minimum,...

This content is for Student Athlete and Trial - Student Athlete members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Ooooh….Scary!!!

It is okay to be a little bit scared. It heightens your awareness. The best in the world are a little bit scared. However, being a lot scared is not a good thing. When you feel a lot scared, you are usually not prepared. Start practicing with a purpose, apply pressure in your practice and develop a library of confidence and to draw upon when you feel uneasy.

Remember the next time you feel a little bit scared, it is a okay.  Smile at the opportunity to get in the zone and perform your best. You can do it!

 

 

Helpful Reminders for Parents of Junior Golfers

Preparation is the key to solid tournament play.   As a follow up to Recruiting Reminders for Parents, here are some helpful reminders for parents of juniors at all levels: DO 1. Help your junior golfer learn (for themselves) how to pack their golf bag before playing in a tournament.  They can carry...

This content is for Student Athlete and Trial - Student Athlete members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here
Recent Posts
Categories
© 2017 Will2Golf. All Right Reserved.
Facebook Twitter Instagram