Junior Development
Junior Development Academy
Overview
Phase 1 – Active Start (0-6 yrs)
Phase 2 – Fundamentals (males 6-9, females 6-8 yrs)
Phase 3 – Learning to Play (males 9-12, females 8-11 yrs)
Phase 4 – Training to Play (males 12-16, females 11-15 yrs)
Phase 5 – Learning to Compete (males 16-18, females 15-17 yrs)
Phase 6 – Training to Compete (males 18-23, females 17-23 yrs)
Phase 7 – Train to Excel (males 23-29 +/-, females 23-28 +/- yrs)
Phase 8 – Excel (23+ yrs)
The age groups above are based on calendar year to give you a feel for where your junior fits in. Our goal is to work with juniors based on their “Biological or Developmental Age” and not their “Chronological Age”. Juniors of the same chronological age can be up to 4 years apart developmentally (physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional). This is a fascinating topic in which there have been numerous studies done on the affects of calendar year cut-offs in sports, school, etc.. To summarize, juniors with certain birthdates are given an unfair advantage over others basically eliminating a large percentage of juniors from ever reaching their true potential and elite status. Research has also shown that when we keep this from happening the so called “late bloomers” have a tendency to shine. Our mission allows your juniors to reach their true potential by training them from a Developmental Perspective instead of the traditional Chronological Perspective!
Junior Development Academy (JDA) is a paradigm shift from traditional junior instruction or camps! Golf has transformed over the past several years. Players are bigger, stronger, faster, more powerful and athletic. Golf has become a “cool” sport for kids versus the “un cool” sport of the past. JDA encompasses all aspects of player development: Physical Conditioning, Instruction, Shot Making Skills, Course Management, Mental/Emotional, and Equipment. Our philosophy, based on the opinions of many leading experts worldwide in the field of junior development including Titleist Performance Institute’s Junior Advisory Board, is that children should progress from basic fundamental movement skills to fundamental sport skills. When following this approach the junior is able to naturally progress from simple tasks to more complex movements while building confidence and athleticism. JDA uses phase appropriate screens to monitor progress for each junior. All phases of development are designed to create a positive, fun, energizing, and playful environment that allows your junior to reach their true potential as an athlete and golfer while CREATING A LOVE FOR THE GAME!
During this phase juniors learn fundamental movements while linking them together into play. This phase combines appropriate ratios of organized activity and play with unstructured physical activity and play. The goal at this stage is to encourage and improve basic movement skills through activities that help juniors feel competent and comfortable participating in fun and exciting games, activities, and sports in a non-competitive manner.
Fundamentals (males 6-9, females 6-8 yrs)
During this phase juniors develop Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS). FMS are basic patterns of movement for sport that combine two or more body segments. Key areas include: Locomotive Skills, Stability Skills, Manipulative/Object Control Skills, and Awareness. Juniors are introduced to grip, posture, alignment, ball position, balance, and weight shift. In addition, an introduction to rules, safety issues on the course, and etiquette are established. Mastering FMS and capitalizing on your junior’s first speed window is critical at this stage! Research has shown that most experts agree that this approach will develop golf-skills at a faster rate while peaking at a higher level of expertise.
Learning to Play (males 9-12, females 8-11 yrs)
During this phase juniors develop Fundamental Sport Skills (FSS). Juniors are introduced to all sport skills, beginning golf specific skills, and continue mastery of FMS. Key areas include: Stability, Mobility, ABC’s (Agility, Balance, Coordination, and Speed), Sport Skills, and honing Golf Skills. Player development is expanded to include Shot Making Skills and Course Management while introducing score keeping.
Training to Play (males 12-16, females 11-15 yrs)
During this phase golf skills are ingrained making this the most critical phase. By now juniors should be Physically Literate which encompasses having strong FMS and FSS. All aspects of Physical Conditioning are introduced but a focus on speed, power, and strength is critical as juniors fall into their second Speed Window! Juniors learn and apply different practice methods and ratios of competition to training. Juniors will know the rules of golf and have good control of their game (Shot Making Skills, Course Management, and Equipment).
Learning to Compete (males 16-18, females 15-17 yrs)
During this phase juniors are prepared for college, national play, and physical development. All aspects of Physical Conditioning continue with an emphasis on strength and power development. Full strength development begins. Advanced biomechanics testing and adult club fitting are introduced. Ratios for play, practice methods, and competition to training are monitored and adjusted as needed. Juniors are introduced to pre-round and practice-day routines. Nutrition and recovery techniques are stressed.
Training to Compete (males 18-23, females 17-23 yrs)
During this phase players are prepared for college, national play, and physical development. Strength and power development are maximized. Customized golf-specific health and fitness programs are tailored to the player’s needs. Mental and Course Management aspects of player development are enhanced (i.e. learning to play under pressure and varying conditions). Introduction to the demands of travel and financial needs. Advanced biomechanics testing and adult club fitting continue. Ratios for play, practice methods, and competition to training are monitored and adjusted as needed. Nutrition and recovery techniques continue to be stressed.
Train to Excel (males 23-29 +/-, females 23-28 +/- yrs)
During this phase players finalize their preparation. Players are trained to peak for major competitions and utilize periodization programs as schedule permits. Customized golf-specific health and fitness programs continue to be tailored to the player’s needs. Mental and Course Management aspects of player development continue to be enhanced (i.e. learning to play under pressure and varying conditions). Demands of travel and financial needs continue to be monitored and addressed. Advanced biomechanics testing and adult club fitting continue. Ratios for play, practice methods, and competition to training are monitored and adjusted as needed. Nutrition and recovery techniques continue to be stressed.
This phase begins when players reach some level of success as a professional. Customized golf-specific health and fitness programs continue to be tailored to the player’s needs with an emphasis on maintaining health and physical preparation to handle elite level player demands. The Mental aspect adds the focus of demands of competition and the stresses of stardom. Time management, financial management, and travel planning are critical. Player goal setting and management is a key to thriving at this level. Advanced biomechanics testing and adult club fitting continue.
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