Serious Coaching for Serious Golfers!

Competitive Junior Golf Programs 

The Golf Performance Center is pleased to announce the most innovative junior golf developmental program in the world.  TGPC programs introduce the integration of golf, physical and mental training.  Our programs introduce concepts and strategies suited to novice golfers to the elite competitive golfers, preparing the golfer for the joys and the struggles that are inherent to competitive golf and life.  Emphasis of our programs is to help the junior athlete understand how to train properly and effectively, for the competitive season and long term development. 

New to our programs is the Junior Classification System, this system allows us to monitor and rank each athlete according to their skill and developmental level not just biological age.  As the athlete passes proficiency evaluations they are eligible to move to the next phase of development.  There are 5 basic levels with corridors to 5 additional levels for advancement within each level, when a junior completes the certification system they will have earned 10 hats or levels and will be considered a very skilled player and one to be feared on the course.  For example; every junior will start out with a RED Hat as Level 1, if they can pass evaluation testing they will be eligible for a RED Hat with Silver Stripe, they have now advanced to next training level.  This is not a new concept, it is the same concept used in the martial arts world.  Leading experts see this as a proven model system to motivate the athletes to success as well as evaluate golf specific skill and fundamental movement skill proficiency.   

For simplicity we have categorized our programs into three parts, Active Start, Complete Golfer and Elite Golfer. 

-The Active Start Levels (AS) are designed to build quality Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) while introducing basic sport specific skills (SSS).   

-The Complete Golfer (CG) will build upon the FMS and SSS adding the concepts of swing analysis, rules of the game, mental game strategies, practice drills, fitness and nutritional strategies and competition preparation. 

-Elite Golfer (EG) program is designed for the golfer who aspires to play competitive golf in high school, regional, national and collegiate golf or beyond.  Emphasis is placed on all phases of development building the corner stones for success.     

First Step:  Evaluation                                                      Ages 6-21 

-Before getting started in any of our programs, it is mandatory every athlete take part in our proprietary physical and mental evaluation process.  The evaluation process is a critical tool for us and the athlete, it allows us to understand the athletes’ current golf skill, physical and mental/cognitive skill levels, making it possible for us to create realistic goals and quantify progress.   

-In many cases the athlete is the last to know that he/she has any problem performing their respective sport or function, but many do not know they compensate dramatically for a flawed movement pattern, being able to assess the movement patterns reveals the weakest link in detail and allows us to correct the problem and help the athlete move more efficiently, feel better, perform better and reduce their chances of injury! 

Active Start- Novice/Beginner                  Levels I-III             Ages 2-11        

-AS is designed to learn proper and improve fundamental movement skills (FMS) while introducing basic golf specific skills (GSS).    Science and Research has proven that ages 2-11 are the most critical years in a child’s life when it comes to developing motor skill patterns and self esteem.   By coaching them on proper movement skills such as running, jumping, skipping, hopping, kicking, throwing and catching we are building the foundation of their athletic development.  Movement literacy is the foundation of all sports.

-AS athletes will focus on establishing the basics of the game, Swing, Skill and Playing.  To advance with in the AS levels we will test skills based on outcome based demonstrations of swing fundamentals, required passing grade will be 25% success of any particular skill tested. 

Complete Golfer/ Intermediate- Learn to Train       Levels  IV-VI     Ages 12-18                                      

-This program is designed for the young athlete to learn and develop overall physical and mental skills for sports and active lifestyle.  At this stage of development the athlete should have mastered the fundamental movement skills and basic golf skills. 

- Juniors will be taught more golf specific skills (GSS) and each will be graded, progressively introducing more skills, requiring testing that they must have 50% success rating prior to advancing to next level.

-In addition the CG program marks the beginning of the juniors being required to prove they can achieve set standards for GSS such as Scoring, Greens in Regulation (GIR), Putts per Round (PRR), and Scrambling (S), such marks are based on modified course set up.  (US Kids Standard Set up)

 -This program will place an emphasis on learning how to train overall physical, mental, cognitive and emotional development and should be mastered prior to advancing to the Elite Golfer Programs.  Moving into Training to Train (Level V) phase, a major skill and fitness development stage, endurance, speed and strength and power. 

-Complete Golfer programs have been developed with the most advanced techniques to produce maximal results for the athlete’s performance.  Experts of youth athletic development has suggested, during the early adolescent years are prime to develop speed, strength and power that will carry into the rest of an athlete’s lifetime.

Elite Golfer- Train to Compete & Train to Win                           Ages 14-21

-This program is designed for the golfer desiring to play at the highest levels competitively, high school, college and beyond.  The program requires highly developed GSS and playing standards in order to pass testing.  In order for a player to participate in the EG program the athlete must pass set proficiency standards in shot making skills, course management,  playing skills, performance statistics and physical proficiency. 

-Typically the athlete is selected to participate by their coach based on their initial physical and mental evaluation as well as golf skill competency.  The selection process is based on physical attributes such as speed, strength, sport skills and character.  This is an intense focus on the individual’s needs for maximal physical and mental preparation. 

-During the EG Phases the athlete’s training program will become more specific to training for competitions, overall skill development, physical and mental conditioning for success.  Science and the experts on long term athletic development suggest during these stages that the athlete train minimum 20-40 hours per week on  physical, tactical (sport specific) and advanced mental preparation.  At this level the golfer is on their way to becoming a feared competitor!

Active Start Levels 

Level I            - Getting Started        Males / Females 2-6                                                                

Getting started! This phase is all about kids having fun, learning fundamental movement skills

and learning the game golf.   

• Encourage basic movement skills, they do not just happen as a child grows older, but develop depending on each child’s heredity, activity experience and environment. 
• Focus on improving basic movement literacy such as running, jumping, skipping, hopping, kicking, throwing, and catching.  These skills are the building blocks for such complex movements like golf.
• Design activities that help children to feel competent and comfortable participating in a variety of fun and challenging sports and activities.
• Ensure that games for young children are non-competitive and focus on participation
• Because girls tend to be less active than boys, ensure that activities are gender neutral and inclusive so that active living is equally valued and promoted for all children.

Level II- FUNdamentals       Males / Females 6-9          

FUNdamental phase is designed to learn and become proficient at fundamental movement skills, focus on developing speed, golf drills and skills.  Athletes will begin to learn how to train, practice and begin understanding healthy nutritional habits

• All Fundamentals movement skills are mastered, Locomotion, Stability, Object Control, Awareness Skills,  (approx. 90% of program is development of these skill sets)
• Utilize games to enhance the learning aspect of speed, by using drills that encourage agility, quickness and change direction activities.
• Making sure equipment is appropriate for the athlete, often they are too big or heavy
• Physical training will make up approximately 20% of time, focusing on body weight exercises for stability and overall mobility.
• Focus on golf concepts such as grip, posture, aiming, balance and weight shift.
• 1 to 9 holes played per week during this phase, either simulated or outside
• 1 to 2 90 minute sessions focusing on the Fundamental Cyclone
• Competition will be kept at minimum usually around 10% of time
• Introduction to basic rules and etiquette of game

• Fundamental Movement Screen performed on periodic basis

Level III- Learn to Play        Males / Females 8-12

Going beyond the ordinary!  This phase is designed to introduce all sport skills and continue with mastery of movement skills while also introducing golf specific skills.  Learning advanced fundamental movement skills.  80% of program should be dedicated to skill acquisition. 

• Continue to develop and master fundamental movement skills.
• Utilize fast moving games to develop endurance and speed.
• Continue making physical performance training a minimum of 20% of program.
• 9-18 holes of golf per week and practicing 1-2 times per week with coaching, introducing all types of shots.
• Focus on green reading, face alignment, course management and score keeping
• Minimum of 2 -90 minute Smash Zones per week.
• We will encourage competition at this phase but limit it to approximately 30% versus 70% training.
• Coach kids and parents to begin limited sports participation to 2-3 other sports.

Complete Player Levels

Level IV- Train to Play         Males / Females 11-15    

This is a critical level because this is where golf skills are really ingrained for life.

• 5 Elements of Success Evaluation, monitor physical literacy monthly with physical screens, very big at this phase due to growth spurts that occur, we want to make sure there is no regression of skills learned due to neural or physiological changes.

• This phase is usually another opportunity to build on speed, strength and power.
• Performance training will be a minimum of 40% of this program.  It will cover all phases of training to be an athlete.
• Introduction on how to practice effectively.  70-80% will be block practice (specific to task such as hitting one club multiple times in a row).  20-30% will be random practice (hit multiple types of shots or using different skilled shots).  Hit approximately 1000 balls a week (including putting and chipping).
• Encouraged to spend up to 20-40 hours per week playing and practicing all golf skills.
• During this program we encourage competitive training up to 40% of time. 
• Help establish a handicap
• Rules and etiquette quizzes
• Encourage to narrow focus down to 1 or 2 sports

Level V- Learn to Compete   Males / Females 15-18  

This level involves college preparation, national tournament play, and physical development. 

• Begin introducing bio-mechanical testing.
• Performance training will be a minimum of 40% of program, major focus on strength and power during this phase.
• Encouraged to play 36 to 72 holes and practice 3-4 times per week  with coaching.
• 20-40 hours of practice.
• Designed practice program that consist of 30% block and 70% random practice time.
• Assist in setting up playing schedule of at least 15-20 competitions per year.
• Competition will be encouraged to be a minimum of 40% during this phase while 60% will be devoted to skill and motor pattern training.
• Encouraged to make golf #1 sport.

Elite Level

Level VI-Train to Compete/Excel    Males / Females 13-23    

This level involves college preparation, national tournament play, and physical development.  This level leads to the final phase of preparation and training focuses on optimization and customization.

• Learning how to play under pressure conditions.
• Advanced bio-mechanical testing is introduced in this program.
• Coach, Player, Parent formulates a plan and discuss course of action for player development.
• Encouraged to spend 60% of time to competitive rounds and practice.
• Minimum of 40% of time devoted to performance training.
• Minimum of 3-4 rounds and 4-5 practice days per week, (20-40 hours), encouraged to utilize coach for quality feedback.
• Learn how to set up video and practice stations for self reliance.
• Maximize strength and power.