AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association

Kids, do you wish your folks would stop shaking their heads when you hit a bad shot in a tournament? Do you want to tell them they make you nervous when you play –“please say out of my line of sight,” or even wish that they would wait for you in the clubhouse till the tournament is over? Do you wish they would applaud your great up and down instead of making a fuss over a couple of three putts? If you do, you are just like most of the kids who play in junior tournaments. All parents need my new book Building Champions: A Guide for Parents of Junior Golfers. It lets them know what kids really think and feel when they compete, and gives parents advice on how to encourage their kids to be their best without pressuring or stressing them.

A golf radio show host recently asked me, “What one thing could parents do today that would be most helpful to their kids?” My answer to him and suggestion to all parents is to go easy on criticism and finding fault—noticing what is wrong and calling attention to it—and pay more attention to what the child is doing right. What one thing could your parents do that would be most helpful to you?

Here are some comments from other experts.

Johnny Miller, who was interviewed for the book, said, “Kids thrive on praise and approval. Instruction should be four parts positive to one part correction. The timing of the correction is crucial—the middle of the round is not the time. You should wait until the child is ready to listen.”

Jim McLean, founder of the FCWT one of the premiere junior tours, said, make sure your junior gets good quality instruction. Talent can be diminished by poor instruction. Paula Creamer’s father said, make sure the lessons are fun. Fortunately there are a number of good instructors for juniors on the Monterey Peninsula. My suggestions is to make sure the pro’s teaching style and player’s learning style mesh.

These are sample of the ideas that will help your parents be champion parents, as you become a champion. My definition of a champion is different from the dictionary definition—a winner. My definition is “a person who fulfills his potential and lives a life of satisfaction and service.” Golf is the sport that personifies champions more than any other as it emphasizes giving, integrity, sportsmanship and other positive character traits.

Phil Mickelson said, “This is more than a great guide for parents of junior golfers, it is a great guide for parents. “

Building Champions is available on my web-site www.DrBee.com. A donation to the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association will be made for every book or other product ordered.

By Dr. Bee

GOLF ETIQUETTE TIPS

PRIORITY ON THE COURSE
In the absence of special rules, two-ball matches should have precedence over and be entitled to pass any three-ball or four-ball match. A single player has no standing and should give way to a match of any kind. Any match playing a whole round is entitled to pass a match playing a shorter round. If a match fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, it should invite the match following to pass.

COURTESY ON THE COURSE
Safety: Prior to playing a stroke or making a practice swing, the player should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like which may be moved by the stroke or swing.

Consideration for Other Players: The player who has the honor should be allowed to play before his or her opponent or fellow-competitor tees his ball. No one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke. In the interest of all, players should play without delay. No player should play until the players in front are out of range. Players searching for a ball should signal the players following behind them to pass as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. They should not continue to play until the players following them have passed and are out of range. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

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