As a PGA of America Professional dedicated to junior player development, you already do a remarkable job of nurturing young people and motivating them to play the game for years to come by making the coaching environment warm and friendly, sometimes competitive, and always fun.
Eventually will come the time to step beyond your facility’s boundaries and introduce your juniors to tournament golf. Unless the venue for a junior event is well-known to all, some planning is essential to help juniors prepare to do their best. Do some research if necessary to help your players. I suggest three things:
1. The Committee for the upcoming event may have standards that are new to your player. What are the caddie rules? What are the restrictions on spectators/parents? Is everything clearly communicated so you, the coach, can do your thing? What kind of assistance with Rules issues may a player gain from spectators/parents? Is the scoring area for players only?
2. How is the golf course marked? Is it more or less defined than at your home course? If you schedule practice rounds, make a note of whether the course marking process is complete. Are there course conditions causing concern that may be addressed? Will there be drop zones that have yet to be identified?
3. Every round of golf has multiple encounters with the Rules of Golf. Make sure your junior player has a solid understanding of penalty area and unplayable ball relief procedures. How are course boundaries defined? Emphasize the value of correctly playing a provisional ball when doubts arise after a wayward shot. Make sure your player is comfortable with the basics for a ball in a bunker, a ball on the putting green, and a ball in a penalty area.
Depending on the age and experience of your juniors, the social challenges of competitive rounds of golf cannot be underestimated. Parents and coaches raise their juniors to be courteous and polite. Playing with strangers may be stressful at first – probably everyone is nervous, and each player has to learn how to operate in a pressurized environment. Showing your support will go a long way, so have a conversation about what he/she will encounter.
Perhaps the most important realization for juniors is that they understand how they are personally accountable in tournament golf. Make sure they understand how time interacts with the Rules and their responsibilities as a marker in these key ways:
1. Don’t be late. Being on time on the starting hole is a Rule. The third player to play at the 9:00 starting time still must be ready to play at 9:00. Plan your pre-round routine to include a generous amount of drive time. (Rule 5.3a)
2. A player has three minutes to search for a ball before it “becomes lost.” The timer starts only when the player, his/her partner, or one of their caddies begin searching. Make sure your player “owns” those three minutes by starting the timer on their phone or other device when they begin searching. (Rules 18.2 and 7.2)
3. Playing within the established Pace of Play guidelines is a Rule. If a player is “ready to play” when it is his or her turn, they will seldom go wrong. You’ve coached an effective pre-shot routine that your player enjoys. Can they employ any of its elements while it is not their turn to play? The Rules of Golf suggest 40 seconds as a reasonable amount of time to play a shot when it is your turn to play. Start this good habit now. Prompt Pace of Play will always be a factor in competitive golf. (Rule 5.6b)
4. Make sure your player is clear on his/her responsibil-ities as a marker for another player. (Rule 3.3b)
Lastly and perhaps most importantly: Rules questions will arise during the course of a round. Players in a group may disagree on proper procedure or whether a player has incurred a penalty. If there is any doubt or uncertainty, make sure your junior player raises the issue with the Committee before returning his/her scorecard. (Rule 3.3b(3) and Rule 20.1c)
As a wise man once said: “The secret to being independent is to ask for help when you need it.” Every competitive golfer, no matter the age or ability, needs to be an expert at administering Rule 20.1c(3), commonly referred to as “playing two balls.” Exercising that Rule is a direct appeal for help when the Committee’s not immediately available.
Tournament golf is a rich and rewarding experience. Knowing what to expect, avoiding needless time pressure, and understanding where to go for help with Rules questions are three important pillars of proper preparation.