Junior Golf: Enjoy Family And Friends

In today’s Monday Mulligan we will be brief and encourage you to enjoy the day with family and friends. Retailers are mostly open today, but financial institutions and federal offices are closed.

There are some very good sales at some of the golf websites. If shopping is not your thing, final round coverage from TPC Boston begins at 10:30am on The Golf Channel and switches to NBC at 12:30pm, all times central. Set your TiVo or watch it live. There are 10 guys within 3 shots of the leaders, Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey. Winds are supposed to pick up later in the day so it could be a wild finish!

Take a breath, relax and enjoy the day! See you on #1 tee, looking relaxed… Sam

Junior Golf: Life Lessons From Rio

It’s always a little sad in our house when the Olympics end and we realize we have to wait 2 years for the Winter Olympics and 4 long years for the next Summer Olympics. Enjoying these amazing athletes always exposes us to major life lessons, so let’s look at what Rio 2016 offered. (Dufner photo golfdigest.com)

In no particular order and certainly not an all-inclusive list: 1st, virtually every athlete interviewed for more than 5 seconds mentioned that being an Olympian was a dream come true/living out their lifelong dream. As a dear friend of ours stated, “If you don’t have any dreams, why do you bother to get out of bed?” What a true statement! Please encourage your junior golfer to dream and dream big!

2nd, no athlete, well hopefully no one, was just given a spot on any country’s team. These places are earned through competition in most cases as tough as, or even tougher than the Olympic events. Competition is the fire that tempers the steel of an athlete and the tougher the competitors the better. Dad and Mom enter your young golfer in as many tournaments as budget and schedule will afford. Feel free to enter him/her up 1 level of competition. For example, enter your beginner in an intermediate level and see what happens. And put your intermediate golfer in an advanced event, perhaps not in every tournament, but once in a while to understand the higher level of competition. It’s important to get used to playing with the best! (photo Rio2016.com)

Pressure is a fact of life. Nearly every pro golfer will tell you they sense some extra pressure on #1 tee at the start of every event and feel even more pressure at the majors. Well, by their own admission, every golfer at The Olympics felt pressure on #1 tee every round. I mean they were the 1st Olympic golfers in over 100 years and they were vying for the rarest trophy in golf! They were in the most special place they could possibly be and worst case scenario they would always be Olympians! Put together a plan to begin teaching your young one how to handle pressure. Depending on the personality, there are different approaches for each kiddo.

Parents, if your junior golfer is going to be competitive and have a passion for our wonderful game, it’s important that dreams, a serious work ethic and learning how to properly handle pressure become integral parts of daily life.

See you on #1 tee looking ahead to the next Olympics… Sam

Junior Golf: Teamwork

In this Friday Flop Shot we will take look at an aspect of all golf, certainly including junior golf that is often downplayed, overlooked or just not given enough attention. We’re talking about teamwork. (photo offcoursegolf.com)t

There are teams everywhere in our lives. From family dynamics, the workplace, relationships and extra-curricular activities, teamwork is in action. Sometimes it’s more obvious as in the team sports like football, soccer and the rest. Individual sports have teams as well, it’s just that those teams are mostly behind the scenes. Golf is the 1 individual sport where an aspect of the team is displayed when the event allows caddies. Caddies, good caddies, are absolutely invaluable to the player. In a tournament, the caddy is the only 1 who can give advice to the player and the best caddies give good advice. The player doesn’t have to heed the recommendation, but at least it was offered.

Jordan Spieth uses the term we more than any other PGA or LPGA player. When asked about the use of the term, Jordan says it refers to him, his caddy and his family and friends who have supported him in so many ways during his whole career from junior golf to today. Jordan does certainly understand that he, the player, is the 1 who must actually swing the club and bear the responsibility that goes with it, good shots or poor shots. (photo pgatour.com)

Mom and Dad, please recognize that you are a junior golf team with your daughter. There is no way any professional athlete can operate without a team, often much larger than you would expect, supporting them. Your junior golfer is every bit as dependent on you for everything except for taking the shot! It is your help with finding the tournaments, getting her entries in, paying for the events and getting her prepared to play in them and then getting her to and from them. And hopefully being on the course with her as encouraging spectators or her caddy, when allowed.

Please allow me to once again briefly visit my Longhorn Legends On The Couch as they discussed their thoughts during the 2006 Rose Bowl National Championship win over USC. This is just fun for me, pardon my indulgence. Teamwork, teamwork and more teamwork was constantly referred to during the analysis of the game. Michael Huff and Aaron Ross, the 2 defensive players on the Legends Couch mentioned the confidence that the defensive squad had in each other. A player could count on his teammates to be in the correct position on every down. And the mentality of the defense was to swarm to the ball. If you get a chance to see this game, please notice how many white longhorn jerseys are involved in every tackle, they were swarming!

Kasey Studdard, Longhorn Legend offensive lineman, said the USC was running the same couple of blitzes, different defenses, when the Longhorns lined up in a certain formation. Well, the offensive line, who had played together for years and may be the best offensive line in UT history, took about 10 seconds to discuss it and figured out how to defeat it and they did so the rest of the game. Superior example of great teamwork!

Yes, team sport teamwork is similar to, but different from, individual sport teamwork. It is however, everyone being on the same page and fulfilling their duties. Parents, please get on board today with your girl’s junior golf efforts. If she’s willing to put in the effort to practice and play then you need to support her, period. If you are unsure of the best ways to support her contact us at icare4parents@gmail.com

See you on #1 tee with support… Sam

Junior Golf: A Tougher Answer

In this Friday Flop Shot we are going to discuss the tougher answer, the answer at the other end of the spectrum from our previous post. A response that will certainly surprise, if not stun and shock, because no parent seriously considers this as the answer they will get from their son when they ask, “Why do you play golf?” (photo offcoursegolf.com)

“I play because you/Dad/Mom want me to.” After you swallow hard and catch your breath, what do you say to this? There are at least 100 parental responses and you can get great information from psychologists, sports psychologists and a myriad of books on this and related subjects. Linda and I are passing along our experiences with S3 and some of his golf teammates during his junior golf and college golf careers.

Dad and Mom, what is really important here? You and your son must be clear as to why he plays junior golf. If he has a passion for the game and is serious about pursuing it, his and your path takes a specific course. If he is a casual player and likes playing with family and friends now and then, his and your path is totally different from the path of the passionate pursuer of junior golf.

Age plays a role here too, as very young, say under 10 year-old players, may not really know why they play the game except that it’s fun. They may develop a serious passion for the game at some point. If however, your son is in junior high or high school and is a casual player, he may likely remain a casual player.

Parents, your role for the passionate junior golfer has major responsibilities which include commitments of time and money. Your role with the casual junior golfer is less structured and mostly catch-as-catch-can going to the range or playing a round or 2.

The key today Mom and Dad is ask the question! Until you know why your son plays golf you don’t know how to support him.

See you on #1 tee…looking like you’re enjoying yourself… Sam

Junior Golf: Clubs are Everywhere!

Golf clubs are everywhere! This is the perfect time to take your Junior golfer out for a fitting with any of these reputable brands: Mizuno, Titleist, Taylor Made, Cleveland, Callaway, Nike Golf, or Adam’s Golf.

The correct club makes all the difference in the hands of your junior golfer.

See you on #1 Tee… Sam

After Christmas Junior Golf Bargains!

Take advantage of all the bargains these locations have to offer!

Our family is taking some time off to relax and enjoy each other. We hope you get to do the same.

See you on #1 tee… Sam

Junior Golf: The Gift of Giving

In this Wednesday Waggle we will talk about the other side of the Christmas gift equation, giving rather than receiving. While I think most parents would expect their children to enjoy giving to those less fortunate, sometimes it is not until we see our youngster’s faces after they see the faces of the recipients of their gifts, that we genuinely understand the feelings involved.

1 of S3’s first experiences with giving was when he was 5 or 6 years old. There was a lady who each Thursday night needed volunteers to put together sack lunches to be given to the homeless in downtown San Antonio. So I, Linda and S3 headed over to help. S3, while not overjoyed at this, was at least curious and eager to see what was involved. Reality hit when the lady in charge explained the importance of what we were about to do, which was make 500 sack lunches which would probably be the only food the recipients would get for a whole day or longer. Now when a kid of any age sees 2 pieces of white bread with 1 slice of bologna, a tiny bag of chips and a can of soda go into a paper bag and that’s all someone may get to eat for 24 hours or more, they are certainly taken aback. The positive feelings of doing something truly worthwhile were evident with all who helped and it hit S3 pretty hard.

Some members of our Parenting Awesome Kids Sunday School Class have strong ties to the Salvation Army. There were openings to be red kettle bell ringers at a local retail store and we asked if any families wanted to work 3-hour shifts. Folks volunteered and made some lifetime family memories and saved the Salvation Army from having to pay folks for those shifts.

Yes, it’s easier to just write a check and that’s a good thing. But if you really want to impact your kids and yourself and spouse as well, get face-to-face with a real-life giving experience. Ask around, call the Salvation Army or some local churches. You will be amazed at how many viable options there are. And don’t be shocked when your junior golfer gives you a strange look when you tell them what your family has signed up for. It’s the look after you are finished that will melt your heart. And this may very well be the start of a new dimension of thinking for you child.

Linda and I have watched S3 and a number of his friends grow into their own spirit of giving. Many come home from college to participate in the Feed My Starving Children Campaign which is held here every September. Once you expose your kids to these wonderful opportunities to give you will see them have an eagerness to participate in future events. They get it.

A word on charities. Not all are what they appear to be. 2 that we are very comfortable with are the Salvation Army and Feed My Starving Children. Both have extremely low administrative expenses, meaning that a huge percentage of revenue goes directly toward helping those in need. A story: we met a young lady that mentioned she had spent time in Haiti working with a Christian charity. When I said that we had worked with Feed My Starving Children, she said they had received and given out 1,000’s of FMSC packets in Haiti. Folks it is reassuring to have someone verify that they have actually given out the fruits of your and your child’s charitable efforts in a far away land.

See you on #1 tee looking charitable… Sam

Junior Golf: Clubs, Clubs, Clubs

In today’s Wednesday Waggle we are looking at clubs, clubs and more golf clubs. This is an amazing time of year and the sheer number of different makes and models of golf clubs that are available can be overwhelming.

Dad and Mom there are a few new golf clubs that trickle onto the scene throughout the year, but now is when the old clubs, new clubs and used clubs are all for sale. And the good news is that you and your daughter can get a great education. Learn the terminology of golf clubs. There are club heads called cavity backs, muscle backs, blades and more. Shaft stiffness from less stiff to more stiff are: ladies, senior, men’s regular, men’s stiff, men’s extra stiff and more. Golf club grips come in undersize, standard, midsize and oversize. An putter grips are another world all unto themselves. (photo golfdigest.com)

So what is a parent to do? If you already have a go-to PGA Professional, go see her and ask her to explain some of these parts of a golf club and the different designs and terminologies and how your daughter can try different clubs to see which ones are best for her skill level, which ones she likes and which ones she hits the best. In other words, there is a style of club that looks good in theory, but hitting balls with different clubs is the only real way to home in on what club design is the best fit for her.

Soon you daughter will have some time off for Christmas break. If geography is an issue and you are in an area with a limited selection of golf clubs, this is the time to plan a day or overnight trip to a city that has at least 1 or more of the big golf retailers. We’re talking about Edwin Watts Golf, Golf Galaxy, Golfsmith, and Dick’s Sporting Goods to name a few. While these stores will not have any used clubs they may very well have some of last year’s discontinued models on sale and the brand new latest and greatest clubs likely not on sale, but looking very tempting.

Finding used clubs so that your daughter can hit them can be a challenge. When you know which city you will be visiting, do a search for used golf clubs for sale. There are usually several stores which specialize in selling used golf clubs. Have an idea of what you are looking for before you go and know that they may or may not have a hitting area or driving range. Once you have some clubs in mind, check prices online before going to the used club store. (photo 2ndswing.com)

Couple of tips: never buy golf clubs until your daughter has hit that specific make and model. Buying used anything is risky and golf clubs are not different. Only buy used from a trusted friend or a source that can be vetted. 3 Balls Golf is a great online source that always has thousands of used golf clubs for sale.

See you on #1 tee with some nice looking golf clubs that you can hit… Sam

Junior Golf: Cool Weather Tips

In this Monday Mulligan we will look at some cool weather tips that will help your daughter when temperatures start dropping. The pros deal with this throughout the year and it is critical to understand how the game is different when the weather changes. (photo jennleforge.com)

1st I will encourage you to be prepared. Put these items on your pre-practice/pre-tournament checklist. Gloves are #1. If she can’t hold the club, she can’t play well. Have 2 extras of her regular glove in her golf bag at all times. And buy 1 pair of the “wetter is better” gloves and keep them in the bag as well. These are the black gloves, a pair, 1 for each hand, that work super good in damp/wet weather. Phil Mickelson wears these more than nearly anyone else on tour. He doesn’t wait to put them on if there is moisture in the air. Footjoy and TaylorMade are 2 brands that we have here. Note for gloves: open every package and try on every glove before you buy it. It seems gloves are notorious for having the wrong size in the packaging.

Buy some of the hand warmer hot packs and keep a couple in her bag as soon as the weather cools off. Cold hands mean no grip, no feel, no good shots. These are an inexpensive item that is worth a million bucks if your daughter gets caught in a really chilly situation. There are at least 2 major brands and they are sold in most big box stores, sporting goods stores and golf stores. Buy a few of each brand and see which 1 works best. You’ll likely see that there is a difference. And buy the bigger size. The little ones don’t get as hot or last as long as the big ones.

Remember, most heat loss occurs through the top of the head. Find a mid weight beanie/pullover/stocking cap in a neutral color that your daughter likes and put it in her bag now. For golfers, it really works in chilly weather to have a couple of lightweight upper layers and put a beanie on. The beanie comes down over the ears and keeps them warm while decreasing the heat loss through the top of the head. A couple of weeks ago at a college tournament in Dallas we had a 55-degree, sunny, beautiful morning with light winds and about1/3 of the college golfers had something covering their ears. This enables them to wear less on their upper body so they weren’t encumbered by so much extra clothing. S3 has a gray UnderArmour beanie that is his absolute favorite! Also try these on before your buy because there are youth and adult sizes and some beanies do not have the stretch that regular stocking caps have. A beanie that is too tight is unwearable.

Mom and Dad, we’re not talking much money here and all these items add very little weight to her golf bag and they don’t cost very much at all. Make it a point to buy these essentials this week and get them in the bag.

See you on #1 tee, looking warm… Sam

Junior Golf: No Pass No Play The End Game

In this Friday Flop Shot we will look at the ultimate goal of no pass no play. This is where npnp ends up when it is maintained and pursued through junior high, high school and college. (photo offcoursegolf.com)

So Dad and Mom here S3’s story of how npnp impacted his college selection and ended up showing him the big picture as far as why npnp had been so important in his school life and would of course continue to be very important until after graduation. What S3 and we, too, had never realized is how npnp would come into play after graduating from college.

S3 pretty much liked TAMIU from his very 1st visit as did I. Mom also became a TAMIU fan during her 1st visit, my and S3’s 2nd visit. Everyone on the school staff was on the same page, putting students and a quality education 1st. This positive attitude permeated the campus and folks I can assure you that we did not get this feeling at very many college campuses. The business saying, “It all starts at the top”, is something I have certainly found to be true during my career and I told S3 and Linda that I believed this wonderful attitude had to start with the President of TAMIU, Dr. Ray Keck III. While we did not initially meet Dr. Keck, it was obvious he was tremendously admired and respected by faculty and students alike. I mean TAMIU is a great campus!

So S3 and Linda and I are at his freshman year athletic banquet in April of 2013 and the 1st speaker to be introduced is Dr. Keck. All he had to do was say “Hello” and you could feel what a really super guy he is. So here is a paraphrase of the 1st part of Dr. Keck’s speech: “Thank you very much. I promise to only speak for 3 minutes because tonight is about you ladies and men, our TAMIU athletes and your achievements during this past year. Do you know why I am so passionate about TAMIU athletics, why I love being here with you and why I want us to have winning teams? Every time I am interviewing new students and student-athletes and their families, somewhere in 1st 3 questions is “How are your sports teams doing?” And I want to be able to tell them we are doing great! The majority of you will go to work in the business world and will not be playing professional sports. So here’s something that likely will happen for you. When a prospective employer looks at your resume and sees that you were an NCAA Division II scholarship athlete with a college degree, your resume gets put in the short list at the top of the stack. They understand, at least many of them will, what it took for you to play college sports and get a degree!”

There was more to Dr. Keck’s speech that night, but this is the relevant part of how grades and sports can work together for a goal. It confirmed why TAMIU is what it is, a great school with athletic programs that are loved and respected by the powers that be. It was also a good night for S3 as he was awarded “Men’s Golf Team Highest GPA and Men’s Golf Team Co-MVP” tied for lowest scoring average in tournament play during the year. (Dr. Keck photo TAMIU.edu)

Mom and Dad, job interviews, being on the short list of applicants, this is where npnp ends up. Your junior golfer can certainly do this all the way through college, but the time to develop the thought process is now.

See you on #1 tee looking very good for your job interview… Sam