📧 DAY 3 – Compete Well, Not Just Score Well

A healthy mindset starts with knowing what’s expected and what isn’t.

One of the biggest gifts you can give your junior golfer is clarity:

“I don’t expect a score. I expect effort.”

When kids aren’t sure what you value when your approval seems to rise and fall with how they play they start chasing outcomes instead of focusing on their process. That’s when fear, anxiety, and frustration take over.

But when they know you expect focus, patience, and resilience no matter what the scorecard says they begin to take real ownership of their game.

What expectations are reasonable?

You absolutely can expect:

• That they show up prepared

• That they follow their plan

• That they treat the game, opponents, and themselves with respect

• That they stay patient, even when things aren’t going their way

You just can’t expect perfection.
Because golf won’t give it to anyone.

What to say before the round:

→ “I’m proud of how hard you work. Just go compete.”
→ “Give your best.”
→ “No matter what happens, we’ll learn from it.”

These types of messages reinforce what you truly value: not the number but who they are becoming through the process.

Key Insight:

When your child knows they’re not being judged by the score, they compete with freedom not fear.

Reflection:

Have you made it clear what you actually expect from your child on the course?
What’s one phrase or message you could try saying before their next round to help them feel supported not evaluated?

Day 4 Tomorrow!