Junior Golf Psychology

It’s easy to think that the anxiety, frustration and all the other emotions that golf raises in us are not relevant to the junior golfer. ” They are too young to worry about that” I often hear. Not true.

Junior golfers can experience all of the emotions that are associated with golf. Both good and bad. Just because they are young that doesn’t mean that Junior golf psychology is not useful to the young golfer.

Over the years I have helped lot’s of Junior Golfers improve their mental strength and attitude using similar techniques that are I use when coaching adult golfers.

From young Junior Golfers who are getting angry and over reacting, to older Junior Golfers who are feeling the pressure of trying to gain a Golf Scholarship, Junior Golf Psychology is now becoming a very relevant topic.

Let’s take a look at some Junior Golf Psychology Tips.

Golf Mental Tips For Juniors.

1. Remember before you tee it up on the first hole to set an intention for your round that is not related to the score. This will keep your focus away from the outcome. Over emphasis on the outcome leads to poor performance.

2. Before you start your round, decide that you will accept whatever happens out on the golf course. Acceptance of poor shots and good shots with the same equanimity leads to a calm, balanced mind, which in turn leads to better performance. If you are getting angry over every mistake and super pumped over every good shot, then you are encouraging your mind to develop a roller coaster response to the game of golf and this is a card wrecker.

3. Play with trust in your golf swing. Don’t allow your mind to take control of your swing. There is lots of evidence from Neuroscientists now that points to the fact that if we try to tell our bodies how to swing the golf club then the wrong parts of the brain fire up and this actually hinders motor control and performance. Trust your body’s ability to swing the club. Remember over control leads to loss of control.

4. Stop comparing yourself with others. We all learn and develop at different speeds. Trying to keep up with your friend can be fun if it brings out the best in you but if this friendly competition leads to self doubt and anxiety then take a step back and realise that learning is not a linear process. We all have peaks and troughs. Go easy on yourself. Take the longer view about improving your golf game. Develop your mental ability.

5. Develop skills not technique. The way golf is being taught is changing. My friends at The English Golf Union are now advocating that coaching technique doesn’t necessarily transfer to playing better golf. Coaching skills does. When practicing, focus more on hitting different types of golf shots. High, low, fades, straight, draws, hooks and slices. Change the lie and the club after each shot. This will develop skill. Don’t allow yourself or your child to get bogged down in technique. This can be fine tuned of course, but the emphasis should be on developing golf skills first.

If you would like a free no obligation chat about what Performance Coaching can do for your son or daughter then please drop me a line jon@golfisamindgame.com or call me on

Junior Golf Psychology

Golf Mental Tips For Juniors.

07850 229722

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