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August 2013 E-Newsletter
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Does Early Specialization Insure Success in Golf?
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By: Dave Phillips, TPI
If you’re a parent like me and your kids have a passion for sports, you will do anything to help them fulfill their passion. This, however, is where the problem can start.
When you were a kid, life was a lot different. I bet your typical day wasn't’ filled with cell phones, video games, on demand TV and website surfing. The electronic age was not what it is today. You probably spent hours running around the neighborhood with your friends climbing, throwing, kicking, jumping and playing every sport that crossed your path. Those natural childhood activities helped your coordination and may have helped you become a multi-sport athlete.
Unfortunately, a disturbing pattern is emerging today and all too often, parents are to blame. Many kids are focused on one sport at a much earlier age and as a result, they may be setting themselves up for failure or putting themselves at greater risk of injury.
Even though some sports like gymnastics and swimming practically require early specialization for elite level success, athletes that play these sports are seldom competitive past their 20’s. Of course there are the outliers that excel beyond their years but golf is a lifetime sport and it requires a different set of rules.
So what are some of the potential consequences of early specialization?
- Participation in a single sport from an early age can restrict skill and speed development.
- Athletes can end up lacking basic motor skills to participate in other sports.
- High intensity training in one sport increases the risk of injury and can actually delay physical development.
- Increased pressure to succeed at a young age can result in psychological distress and make the sport less enjoyable.
- Social isolation due to limited interaction with peers.
As parents, are we making matters worse by buying into early specialization? Indeed we are. But there are a number of factors helping us buy into it.
- The commercialization of sport along with the glorification of athletes and their lifestyle. We all know this is happening but I can't tell you how many parents I speak with who want their child to be the next Tiger, Rory or Yani Seng.
- We as parents want our children to have every opportunity to succeed and we are committed to providing them with the best private coaching, camps and equipment. We often live our dreams of stardom through our children, which simply isn’t fair. Their success is more dependent on their passion for the sport than yours.
- College coaches and recruiters are paid more and more to succeed, as the business of sport is just that, a business. Colleges make millions off our sons and daughters and the lure of a college scholarship is often enough for us to drive our children to succeed.
I have interviewed many PGA Tour players and the overwhelming majority were multi-sport athletes before gravitating toward golf later in life. There is no rush to achieve success in a sport that spans a lifetime. In fact, the average age of the 25 graduates from the Web.com Tour to the PGA Tour in 2012 was 30 years of age!
So stop the madness and create a multi-sport athlete that enjoys sport and life first. If they choose to specialize, you will know when they’re ready and so will a good coach.
“ If you can beat everyone in your town, everyone in your city, everyone in your state, everyone on an a national level, you’re probably good enough to turn pro.”
- Jack Nicklaus
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Golf Lecture :: Pre-Round Preparation
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We invite you to join us for a FREE interactive seminar on Tuesday, August 20th and learn about current concepts in pre-round preparation to get your body ready for the rigors of a 4-5 hour round of golf!
Topics Will Include:
- Exercises for injury prevention
- Exercises to prepare your body for the functional movements needed for golf
- Nutrition to maximize your body’s performance
- Proper hydration
- Proper range warm-up strategies
- Mental preparation for the 1st tee and beyond
Clinic Details:
WHERE: Tetherow Golf Academy [Location]
WHEN: Tuesday, August 20th / 5:30pm - 6:30pm
COST: FREE!
FEATURING: Strategies to maximize golf performance with proper pre-round preparation, raffles prizes, and complimentary beverages.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OUR LECTURE FLYER (PDF)
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!!!
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Chris Cooper PT, DPT, CSCS
A Montana native, Chris received his Master’s of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Montana in 1999. He finished his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana in May 2010. Chris is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as well as a Level 2 Certified Golf Fitness Instructor and Medical Professional through the Titleist Performance Institute. |
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Adam Huycke, TPI
Adam’s passion for golf runs deep. After struggling with team sports, he turned to golf and fell in love with it immediately. Adam is now a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) pro, and he assists players of all levels including the 2011 US Women’s Amateur champion, the men’s and women’s teams at Willamette University and a variety of high school players. |
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Mike Lewis, PGA
Currently Tetherow’s Director of Instruction, Mike previously ran the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf at Pronghorn. Originally from Utah, he also owns the TaylorMade Performance Lab of Utah and Skelet golf, an instructional company providing teaching curriculum and technology packages for golf facilities. Mike was the 2002 Utah Section PGA Teacher of the Year. |
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Luke Brosterhous, PGA
Luke is the Director of Instruction for the Troon Golf Academy at Pronghorn in Bend. In addition to being a Class A PGA Member, Luke holds a Masters Degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Utah, in the area of Sport Psychology. Luke’s unique ability to bring together Modern Golf Instruction and the most effective researched principles in the world of Sport Psychology distinguishes him from other teachers. |
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OUR LECTURE FLYER (PDF)
GAME DAY DYNAMIC WARMUP (CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO)
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