Confidence Building For Junior Golfers

One of the challenges about being a young person is dealing with what feels like is a constant comparison to other people. This is true at school, in one's social circles, at home, and in the golf arena.

What many young people inevitably do during this time of analysis is begin to feel somewhat insecure about certain aspects of who they are. "I'm shorter than everyone." "I'm taller than everyone." "I'm skinnier than everyone". "I'm heavier than everyone."

This type of thinking leaks into golf, creating insecurities about the game. "I can't hit it as far as most kids." "I don't putt as well as he does." "We don't have as much money so I don't get the instruction that she does."

When this is going on inside one's head, it is very difficult to "play your own game". Instead, junior players often try to be someone they are not, try to keep up with what others are doing, or try to do things that are not in their capacity.

Not only does this emphasis on what others are doing frequently hurt a player's confidence, it also regularly impacts course management decisions. Among the common mistakes:

?Unconsciously pulling the driver out of their bag in order to hit it as far off the tee as possible.

?Automatically pulling 3-wood for the second shot into a Par 5.

?Consistently "under clubbing" by falsely believing certain clubs are hit further than actual results indicate.

?Making high risk/low reward shot selection decisions.

?Swinging the club harder to try to hit it further.

The solution to this is to be honest and objective about what strengths and capabilities you bring to the course as a player. This is what is referred to as "playing within yourself". Once you recognize and acknowledge what works for you, you will begin to play the game in the way that is best for you, rather than playing the game in order to try to do what others are doing or the way you think it should be done.

The truth is, whether judging against others in life or in golf, we will always find someone who is better at something than we are. It is hard to get our ego out of the way and lay up when our competitor can get there in two. It is difficult emotionally to hit 5-iron to a Par-3 hole when our competitor hits a 9-iron. It is a challenge to continue doing what you're doing if you see a competitor who is successful doing something different.

In life, those that are constantly following others lose a sense of who they really are. In golf, those that are distracted by others often get lost in constantly changing their game. Be like the best players in the world. The most successful golfers of any age figure out what they're good at, understand what works for them, and then make a commitment to stick to it.

Be the best player with what you have, rather than trying to be something that you're not.

Jeff served as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetters Golf Academies, where he was instrumental in assisting in the development of the training programs and methodology that continues to produce golf champions around the world. Jeff works with several touring professionals and amateur players - assisting them in the creation of optimal training plans and developmental strategies. For more inforamtion on mental and physical training for golf, go to http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.

---

The Cost/Benefit Analysis

There is a very useful method that many accountants use... Read More

What are You Doing to Improve Your Golf Swing?

Improve your golf swing. You have probably tried everything, from... Read More

Mental Concentration, Golf, and You

All players, when they are concentrating on a stroke, are... Read More

How A Simple Golf Stretch Can Add 20 Yards To Your Drives

To quickly improve your golf, stretch your golf muscles regularly!What's... Read More

Left Handed Golf Tips

Where do you find left handed golf tips? You find... Read More

Are You Fully Benefiting From Your Golf Swing Training Videos

The golf swing is so central and so important to... Read More

Advice On Golf Training Aid Products

There are many different types of golf swing faults and... Read More

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential - Part 2

In (Part 1) of this article I discussed how muscle... Read More

How to Cure a Golf Hook

If you've been battling a hook for a while you... Read More

Tiger Woods Wins Again

Tiger Woods today strolled to his second British Open Golf... Read More

Public Golf Courses ? Making The Right Choice

Chances are, if you're just starting out, you haven't decided... Read More

Have A Golf Fitness Expert In Your Home

The term golf fitness expert has grown in popularity for... Read More

Facts and Fallacies of Strength Training for Golf

Various aspects of golf training have expanded rapidly, but one... Read More

5 Important Things to Consider When Choosing Golf Clubs

Every golfer knows that having proper equipment is essential. Choosing... Read More

The Proper Golf Swing Technique

There is no doubt that the proper golf swing technique... Read More

Women?s Golf And Exercise

While golf is long overdue to benefit from the application... Read More

What Causes Golf Back Pain?

Why it that back pain is such a common complaint... Read More

Baggin It Right...Raises Your Game

Even the most casual of golfers needs a golf bag.... Read More

Functional Exercise For Golf WarrantsThe Quickest Results

Functional exercise for golf can mean different things to different... Read More

The Worlds Elite Golf Courses

We all here different opinions of great challenging golf courses... Read More

Super Golf Wheel Chair that Enables Disabled Golfers to Play Normally

Last week when I was at the driving range I... Read More

Golf Strength Training Slows The Aging Process

Golf strength training is critical in slowing down the effects... Read More

Hit Longer Drives - Heres How

To hit longer drives is the dream of every golfer... Read More

Secret Sneaky Tactic To Get A Complete Used Golf Club Sets On A Discount With Auction Sites

Have you experienced this when you're bidding on ebay or... Read More

Back Exercise And Golf Are Synonymous

Back exercise and golf. Doesn't that sound like a common... Read More

Golf Strength Training Exercise Is Not Body Building

Despite many reassurances, some amateur golfers still dread golf strength... Read More

Improve Your Golf Game With Perfect Golf Swing Drills

Perfect golf swing drills will help your golf game improve... Read More

3 Ways To Maximize On The Effectiveness Of A Golf Instruction Video

Golf instruction videos featuring techniques and tips from leading world... Read More

Perform Better Golf By Training Your Body

What will it take to get you to perform better... Read More

Improving Your Golf Balance

The need for balance for golf just sounds so simple... Read More

Guide To Buy Used Golf Clubs For Beginner Golfer

If you are just starting out to play golf, you... Read More

Golf Shots Versus Golf Swings - You Need Shots On The Course!

Why do so many golfers hit a shot and immediately... Read More

What No Golf Bag Should Be Without

Whether you are a golf pro or a rookie trying... Read More