Burnout is more than just a buzzword, a complaint uttered among adults or a phrase thrown around to excuse poor performance. Burnout is a phenomenon that has been recognized by the World Health Organization for decades as both an occupational and athletic challenge faced by athletes and professionals at all ages and levels of experience.
Initially defined in 1986 as a response to the stress experienced by athletes, burnout has been further dissected by researchers into three primary components: emotional or physical exhaustion, a reduced sense of accomplishment and a devaluation of the sport they once loved.
As we use May to focus on Mental Health Month, it’s only prudent that we examine the phenomenon of burnout among golfers, as well. While once thought to primarily affect elite athletes, burnout is increasingly recognized across all athletic levels, making diversification of training programs essential for maintaining enthusiasm and success in sports. Youth sports can be particularly susceptible to burnout, a condition not limited to those competing at the highest levels.
By now, most PGA of America Professionals are familiar with the basic principles of the American Development Model (ADM) for Golf, which encourages environments to engage as many as possible, for as long as possible, with the best experience possible. The five principles of ADM encourage a framework to promote athletic development while protecting athletes’ mental and emotional health. Through developmentally appropriate activities, enhanced entry to opportunities, encouragement of multi-sport participation, fun, engaging and challenging atmospheres and quality coaching, all coupled with the “easy button” of Player Engagement programs, you have access to one of the most effective strategies to combat burnout in your athletes.
Although most research has focused on adults, studies show early sport specialization increases the likelihood of burnout among young athletes, with studies showing that players who specialized too early were more likely to cease participation altogether due to burnout. While this research and the ADM principles tell us that the most effective strategy in combating burnout is multi-sport participation, that’s not always something we can control for our athletes.
So, what do you do when your research-driven advice and utilization of ADM for Parents educational pieces are not yielding results? How do you protect your students’ developmental, mental and emotional health, while also preventing burnout?
As a PGA Coach, you are the expert in your field, and you play a pivotal role in athletes’ experiences. By fostering a fun, engaging and developmentally suitable environment, you can cultivate a positive atmosphere that enhances athletes’ resilience and enthusiasm. Multi-sport participation affords players the experience of diverse training stimuli that reduces emotional fatigue – focusing less on technical prowess and more on holistic development. By tapping into the resources available to you through PGA Player Engagement programming and PGA Coach tools, you have the power to diversify your programming, ensuring your players stay engaged for the long run.
The influence of quality coaching extends beyond technical instruction. High-quality coaches focus on maximizing athletes’ potential while ensuring they maintain a love for the sport. Programs like PGA Jr. League illustrate the benefits of incorporating a diverse range of experiences into an athlete’s development. Many PGA Jr. League coaches participate in the 17u division as a way to nurture competitiveness, while keeping the game exciting and enjoyable for older participants.
Now 16 years old, competitive junior golfer David Pyle has participated in PGA Jr. League from the age of 6. He now plays a full schedule of individual competitive events, but names PGA Jr. League as his favorite events of the year.
“It’s really fun to be able to play on a team because golf is mostly an individual sport,” Pyle says. “I like being able to play with my friends and still be competing.”
At the Golf Club of Texas in San Antonio, PGA of America Member Jamie Smith is a coach for both PGA Jr. League and PGA HOPE (pictured). When he noticed his PGA Jr. League players were starting to get bored with the same practice structure, he invited his HOPE participants to join them. This has evolved to a PGA HOPE/PGA Jr. League play day collaboration that everyone enjoys.
Elsewhere, Director of Player Development Cliff Mishler, PGA, and his team at Stonebridge Ranch in McKinney, Texas, incorporate Drive, Chip and Putt skills challenges into their PGA Jr. League programming, something their players look forward to each season.
Diverse programming ensures athletes remain engaged and passionate about the game. Utilizing the Player Engagement programs available, the activity plans available through PGA Coach resources, and brainstorming with your Player Engagement Consultant and PGA Members, you have everything you need to create unique and fun experiences that emphasize camaraderie, skill cultivation and exciting play – the perfect antidote for burnout.