KEEP HER PLAYING
Golf Done Right Isn’t Just A Game - It’s A Game Changer.
It Matters. Teenage girls are quitting sports - 45% abandon athletics by age 14, crushed by body image doubts, insecurities, and lack of access. Teenage girls need the physical, mental, and social benefits that participation in sports has been shown to give.
Coaches are the heartbeat of keeping girls in the game. It begins with building trusting relationships and coaching with empathy. It takes a whole-person approach where all young people feel safe, seen, heard, and valued.
The moment is now. Girls face relentless stress- social media, self doubt, pressure. Teenage girls need more opportunities to experience golf and have a place where they can heal, grow and thrive from the day to day stressors in life. The introduction of brain based healing experiences can provide a natural healing effect. This means that every high-five, filling emotional tanks, and collaborative conversation matter.
Key coaching strategies- Every interaction counts when building trusting relationships and learning how to support girls.
1) Circle Up - A circle puts everyone on the same level, including the coaches.
• Check in with everyone.
• Go over the plan for the day.
• Include fun ice-breakers.
2) Discover Their "Why?" - Ask girls what matters most to them in sports. Make this interactive by snapping fingers, clapping hands, and stepping forward if you agree. Explore what drives them, including safety, making new friends, trying a new activity, fitness, being outdoors, competition, and golfing with family.
3) Warm-up - Start each practice with patterned, repetitive, rhythmic activities. Set up stations and let girls decide what they need to prepare for practice.
• Warm up the mind using mindfulness, meditation, and breathing.
• Warm up the body using speed ladders, play catch, medicine ball toss, jump ropes, hula hoops, and foam rollers.
4) Use a Thumb Check - Thumbs up, thumbs down, halfway in the middle. This is a good time to ask open-ended questions like: How was your day? How are you feeling? How is your emotional tank?
This is an important time where girls can shake off whatever has been happening during their day and get focused on what's next.
5) Create Space - Set aside a space for girls to move and talk. Give girls the chance to have their voices heard and learn more about each other and their teammates. Story starters include: What is my biggest dream? What do I see myself doing when I grow up?
6) Skill Building - Studies show girls love to compete and learn new skills.
• Introduce a skill - keep it simple and break it into smaller, teachable components. Include putting around the green, approach, and off the tee.
• Fundamentals - starting position, body motion, and club motion.
• Progression - Start with a practice swing, clip a tee, ball on tee, ball on ground, add a target, and routine.
• Variety - make short, medium, and long swings.
• Benchmarks - set individual goals and stretch goals. Can they hit the ball first? Make a finish? Hit an imaginary fairway? Start the ball on line? Land on the green? Putt and chip in a circle?
7)
Team Building - Incorporate task-based training and fun games that reinforce the skill you are working on. Be creative here. This is all about fun, friendships, and personal bests.
8) Winners Circle - At the end of every practice and game, ask girls to recognize anyone being a great teammate, giving 100% effort, brushing off mistakes, having fun, and trying something new for the first time. Celebrate hustle, heart, and kindness.
Girls need golf.
“Keep Her Playing” is a community-based initiative that focuses on giving girls more access and opportunities through golf. Be the coach who stops the pain of quitting and builds a future where girls don’t just play golf, they grow and thrive in it.
Thanks to our partners at Chevron, LPGA Foundation, and STPGA Junior Golf for supporting this initiative.
Susie Redman, PGA, LPGA
Lifetime LPGA Tour member, LPGA Professional, PGA of America Member, and 2023 PGA of America Youth Player Development Award Recipient.
