By Taylor Lambertsen
Have you had a coach who made an impact on you while keeping the sport fun and competitive? I remember when I started playing golf, I had a full-swing coach and a short-game coach. My parents made sure I had who I needed to help advance my golf journey. Unfortunately, many children struggle to find the “right coach” for them. After all, golf is a very unique sport. Finding the right swing coach is about weighing who’s affordable, available and the right fit.
Coaches have to be knowledgeable in the game, adaptable in their approach, close to where you live and most importantly, fun. Children should enjoy being with their coaches!
Coaches create relationships with their students. They help make sure kids enjoy playing and practicing the game that we all love while gaining a friend as well. Building a bond with a student to create a comfortable learning environment opens doors for the coach and student to achieve greatness.
There are many ways to make the game of golf engaging for today’s youth. Parents refer to my classes as Coach T’s ParTee because my classes are fun and exciting while introducing new skills and improving each child’s game.
I’m incredibly grateful to be recognized as a Top 50 U.S. Kids Golf Instructor and GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. As I’ve reflected on why I’ve earned these recognitions, it’s because I believe it’s my responsibility to mentor junior players as well as to coach them. I create bonds by dancing to Hannah Montana, coaching birthday parties, attending plays and dance recitals and going on course for play days (cartwheels after good shots are the icing on the cake). These extras keep the kids interested and make them want to come back for more.
Building trust with each and every junior is the first step in my book. I need them to know that they can trust me with anything. We may spend some lessons smashing water balloons or playing golf baseball so that it changes the typical routine, because in life, there are curve balls. Teaching them that there is more to golf than they know and demonstrating the positive impact it can have in the long run is at the top of my list. Showing them how to be positive, grow through the ups and downs of the game and build confidence and perseverance that they can use in all aspects of life is something all coaches should make sure they do.
I asked a few of my students what they love most about working together, and their responses show the true meaning of being their coach and the bond that is much more than only golf.
“I like Coach Taylor being my coach because she cares about me on and off the golf course. If I called her and told her I needed help or just needed her for support, she would be there as soon as possible no questions asked. Taylor had faith in me and my game from the first time we met and invited me to go play on a course to get to know me. She is a safe space to be myself, and sometimes I can be a bit crazy! Some days are not about golf, but just a listening ear and a place for me to come talk and support me whether it is golf or not. Taylor is more than a coach, but a friend, mentor, listening ear and even sometimes a third parent. The amount of time and effort she puts into making each child feel special and heard is what makes Coach Taylor a great coach. P.S. She even goes parasailing to conquer fears!” – Juliana, 11
“I appreciate Coach Taylor’s way of keeping it fun while making me work hard. She also recognizes when I need a break to make sure I can focus on the right things, not just hit the ball to hit the ball. The approach that Coach Taylor has to having fun while learning the game keeps me coming back for more. Coach Taylor learned the Hoedown Throwdown from the Hannah Montana movie with me so that when we need a break, we can just break out in a dance. I am learning so much more about perseverance, patience, being tough and overcoming challenges because of the way Coach Taylor works through the game with me. Coach Taylor is one of the coolest people I know.” – London, 9
“Coach Taylor puts in a lot of time on working with me to learn course management and fundamentals so that when I am on the course, I know how to fix it on my own. I have built up the confidence to know what I am doing wrong and fix it so that it does not ruin my round. I use the tips that Coach Taylor taught me to keep me calm when I have struggles off the golf course, because it is all the same.” – Thomas, 13
“Coach T is changing the game of golf by making it fun and easy for me to learn while also helping me learn about myself and how to apply the skills to other sports and activities. The programs she uses help me master skill sets and motivate me to set more goals. You can count on Coach Taylor to fix your swing, make you laugh and be there for whatever you need.” – Anthony, 12
“Taylor is my best friend and like my older sister. I wish I could see her every day. She makes golf so much fun and I never want our time together to end. She has taught me not to give up or underestimate myself, because I have a lot of talent. She even came to my birthday party and my play to see me as Simba. She is the best.” – Emma, 9
As you can see, the best part of being a coach is the bond that you create with these children. Being able to relate to them by creating a fun and positive environment makes them feel safe and comfortable as they learn a game that has so many highs and lows. The skills they are learning from working together apply on and off the golf course. They are learning how to overcome fears, build confidence, learn patience and apply this to all aspects of their lives.
When you create a program, conduct lessons or spend time with children, remember to make it a ParTee. End with high fives, smiles, laughs and hugs. Those gestures will impact a child’s confidence more than how far they hit their 7-iron. Make every day a golf ParTee!
Taylor Lambertsen is the Director of Instruction for First Tee – Greater Chicago. She is a two-time Top 50 U.S. Kids Golf Instructor and a GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. Taylor played golf at Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee before moving back to Chicago to specialize in golf instruction.
