In coaching any sport, in order to do your job effectively, the first priority is to have control of the players/kids, and have their respect. You do not necessarily have to be an expert in golf to get respect from the gold team. Worse case scenario, you can still pull of being more their sports psychologist than a swing doctor. Being there for any athelete sometimes is much more valuable than teaching them something specific in each sport. This may sound like generic useless info, but I have seen many coaches who are so wrapped up in little details about the sport itself, they forget how to really make their players PLAY better and become a better overall athlete. A beautiful swing is no use if they can never use it in a match. I have seen in countless times in countless sports. Players who learn to play their best when it counts is what being a good coach is all about.
First thing is, in a meeting with the team, be mostly honest. Mostly means tell them you know a lot about sports, training, etc., but that you are or not a pro golfer depending on your situation. You dont have to say that you know NOTHING or EVERYTHING about golf, because that type of statement will set you back. Tell them you will help them in their training and mental game in order to player better golf. Golf is more mental than any other sport, so it should be easier to coach than another sport you do not know.
Here I will list for you the basics that are true for almost any golfer who wants to improve. After reading these basics, if you need any more help or need more info, first go read my extensive FAQ collection you just went through. You can learn a lot about common problems and solutions there immediately. Then if you sitll need more details or more training tips, simply click on my name "Dathaeus" on any link you see and ask me a direct question there and i will be glad to help you further.
Here is the list:
- Every golfer wants one thing: Hit the ball solidly more often. So psychologically, find out when a player hits the ball solid, and when not, and figure out why and fix it through mental components and habits you observe.
- We all want to hit it farther. Check out my FAQ's for a few tips on how to do that, and ask me if you need more.
- Better players want to work the ball, ie, fade and draw. Again read my FAQ's (where i explain all type of different ball flight) and then teach them how to do so.
- We all want to putt and chip better. Which corrolates to better scoring. Emphasize short game. Decent players should always get the ball in the hole in 3 shots or less from about 135 yards and in. The better players should always get up and down from around the green unless they have a bad lie (ie, plugged in the sand or in DEEP rough). Up and down means get it in the hole in 2 shots.
- Even while emphasizing short game, the driver is the most important club in the bag. Good driving equals better chances to score low and less trouble. Good drives happen through good rhythm confidence, and technique. Short game can only result in damage control if you drive the ball into the water or out of bounds.
- Physical training is needed to push to the next level. This includes running, weight lifting (max reps, low weight, you do not want to bulk up) and strength/flexiblity conditioning. Ask me and I will be happy to set up a schedule for you.
- Fun. Every golfer wants to have some fun at practice. Golf is probably the easiest sport to have fun because it is more of a game than a sport. I.e., how do you have a "fun" practice in tackle football? There is still always risk of injury, mishap, or care taken not to get injured. Football is far from a game. In golf, you can make up hundreds of games, from target practice, to playing catch, to chipping/putting contests, to spectacular flop shots over a tree, or a long drive contest. Change it up, dont be afraid to set things up that make a loud bang if you hit them, like an oil barrel. Sometimes, giving into our basic and primal urges makes for tons of fun.
- Study time. Read up on some books (again, in my FAQ) and use quotes. Using quotes, WHEN appropriate, can really motivate and help your players visualize. Remember to use the greats, like Hogan, Jones, Woods, Nicklaus, etc... Bring videos, and if yo uhave a camera, take videos of their swings and review.
Much more can be done, but this should get you started. Good luck!
