Zack Niceley, a Cathedral High School golfer, was one of the players in our junior golf program for high school golfers. Earlier this Spring Zack got his first hole-in-one. This happened at South Grove Golf Course during his team qualifying round for this season. The shot came on hole #3, a 140yd par 3, with his nine iron.
Way to go Zack!
Zack Niceley Hole In One
In June we’ll be starting the next round of junior golf classes. These two classes are our versions of TPI’s FUNdamental Cyclone and SMASH Zone developmental programs. The Cyclone is for kids ages 6-9 and SMASH Zone for ages 10-12. (We have a separate high school golf fitness program for ages 13 and up.)
Here’s a review of the Cyclone from last summer.
We started with a 6 week program for Fundamental Phase Juniors ages 6 – 9 years old. This phase is all about learning and mastering the fundamental movement skills before learning sports specific skills, including golf.
Fundamental movement skills addressed:
1. Locomotion skills – running, jumping, dodging, skipping, hopping, bounding, sprinting
2. Stability skills – (ABC’s of athleticism) agility, balance, coordination, speed, change of direction, disassociation
3. Manipulative/Object Control skills – ABC’s of athletics) throw, kick, strike, catch, dribble, dodge
4. Awareness – spatial awareness, kinesthetic awareness, body awareness, rules
Program Objectives
1. Make sure FMS are mastered, skill acquisition makes up 90% of the program.
2. Perform fundamental pre and post screen to monitor progress in FMS development.
3. Utilize games to capitalize on the first speed window by encouraging agility, quickness, and change in direction activities.
4. Physical fitness should be 10% of the program and focus on body weight exercises for stability and overall mobility.
5. Two 60 minute sessions going through the FUNdamental Cyclone per week.
6. One to nine holes a week of on course activities that simulate golf, keep it FUN.
7. Appropriate weight and length of golf clubs is paramount in this phase. Only need 4 clubs.
8. Concepts of grip, posture, alignment, ball position, balance and weight shift may be introduced.
9. Intro to rules of the game, safety issues on the course and golf etiquette.
Pre-Test/ Screen Results: (Taken on July 7, 2009)
Fundamental Movements Screens:
1. Locomotion – (Some kids clearly have not developed these skills.)
2. Object Control -
Fundamental Movements & Power Screens:
Post-Test/ Screen Results & Summary:
We worked through the list 2 times a week. Our Junior Cyclone consisted of a dynamic warm-up and 8 stations. We cycled the juniors through each station, lasting 5 minutes. We added a new skills to stations for progression. The last 10 minutes were left for games or contests at the end. Overall, each junior improved their physical capabilities and movement skills. In just 6 weeks, we we very pleased with the results. Most importantly, the juniors had a blast while building a stronger foundation for any sport, not just golf.
The LTAD helps to develop golfers from pre-puberty to retirement. I share the opinions of most experts sources are saying that a child who develops a better base of FMS will develop golf skills at a faster rate and will peak at a higher level of expertise. I look forward to improving our Long Term Athlete Development program and know it will deliver superior results.
CONTACT US to get your child signed-up for one of these classes or to get more information.
Most parents are focused on finding a junior golf coach to help their son or daughter develop their golf game. While no one would argue that learning or improving golf specific skills and game play is a necessity, there seems to be an unfortunate lack of knowledge with regards to the importance of basic athletic development.
Golfers get teased, though not as much these days, about not being athletes. The truth is that the golf swing is a very athletic movement requiring strength, flexibility, and balance. Our junior golf program emphasizes fitness and overall athletic development. There is a corresponding phase of development for each age group.
Long term athletic development is a relatively new concept for golf coaching. The phrase was originally coined by sports scientist, Istvan Balyi. Part of the National Coaching Institute in British Columbia, Mr. Balyi is acknowledged as the worldwide expert in LTAD. I came to understand his approach through my training with TPI. His model of LTAD is useful for developing golfers from the junior golf age range to that of seniors.
Parents can best help their young golfers by helping them build a fundamental foundation of fitness. This could change their life forever, regardless of whether or not they end up playing in college or the professional ranks. There’s plenty of time to work on their golf game. Mom and dad, your kids will thank you one day for getting the priority right. Take advantage of the golf off-season to get them started.
