In recent years the way golf is taught has advanced exponentially. Thanks to technological developments and the arrival of tools such as launch monitors (Trackman 4), sensors and pressure plates, our knowledge of how to improve has rapidly grown. Golf instructors also now understand that this sport requires a good level of coordination, balance and athletic strength that can be developed from physical training. This is important for all golfers, including junior players. Technology and the knowledge of how to apply it is helping golfers to improve their swing and understand it better;
On the other hand, the realisation that this sport requires a level of coordination, balance and athletic strength that can be developed from other sports and from physical training in the gym, is improving the quality of the formative and pedagogical stimuli we offer to our junior golfers and to all youth. This change in approach is seen at the highest levels of the PGA Tour and European Tour, where the average distance has increased considerably in recent years. Players are also experiencing fewer and fewer injuries. We also see it in junior competitions and in our summer camps, where our young players train under a multidimensional program.
At the Black Iron Golf Academy, we combine golf technique and analysis with physical fitness training for our children’s golf classes. It is vital that they see their progress and our responsibility is to direct their efforts towards the objectives set. These objectives must always be clear, achievable and measurable. Our high-performance golf academy is one of the most technical in Spain. We specialize in comprehensive development plans, where technology is combined with a focus on technique, tactics, methodology and physical and mental strength. We take advantage of technology (such as Trackman 4, SAM PuttLab, Hackmotion, The Perfect Putter, FocusBand), and we plan our lessons depending on the player’s personality and stage of development. In our experience, motivation is fuelled by visible progress.
This topic of motivating junior golfers is not something easy to achieve: we live in a digital world where competition between activities is increasing. One hour of sports practice has an increasingly high opportunity cost; All golf teachers must know the challenges involved in taking a child out of their bubble to dedicate a tremendous amount of time to their physical and sports development. Using technology and having knowledge of child neurological development is vital for golf instructors. It is a big challenge, but it is a responsibility that golf schools and golf coaches must overcome.
