📧 DAY 1 – The Real Job: Be Their Calm, Not Their Coach

RESET #1: What your kid needs most is not swing advice on the course, it’s emotional safety.

Junior golfers are under more pressure than we think: from scoring, other competitors, friends, and simply trying to figure out who they are. When a parent shows up with tension, correction, or emotional reactions, even subtle ones like sighs or body language it adds a new layer of performance pressure.

They stop playing to learn or compete.
They start playing to avoid disappointing you.

And that’s when confidence starts to slip away.

What the research shows:

Sports psychology studies consistently show that parental behavior and emotional tone have a direct impact on young athletes self-confidence, anxiety levels, and long-term motivation. In one study, athletes said they performed better and enjoyed their sport more when parents offered unconditional support, not when they gave feedback on technique or strategy.

So what does that mean for you?

• Your child doesn’t need you to fix their swing mid-round

• They need your calm energy, your presence, and your belief in them

• That belief can’t be tied to scores or outcomes

• They need space to fail, learn, recover, and still feel supported

DO THIS INSTEAD:

• Say less, but say the right things:
  → “Trust your process.”
  → “I’m proud of how hard you’re trying.”

• Stay steady emotionally, no visible frustration

• Avoid giving technical tips or “reminders” during the round

• If they mess up, don’t coach. Let it pass. They probably already know.

Key Insight:

Your job isn’t to be the coach or the critic, it’s to be the calm they can count on, especially when the round isn’t going well.

Reflection:

Think back to the last time your child struggled on the course.
Did your body language or tone help them stay grounded or did it add tension?
What could you try doing differently next time?

Tomorrow on Day 2: When support becomes pressure

Next 7-Day Series: What Tiger Woods Taught Us About Real Swing Change.

Stay tuned.