Each week during my Homeschool Group Golf Classes I focus on one or more of the First Tee 9 Core Values.  I firmly believe that junior golfers become people of character as they learn them and actually apply them in their everyday lives.  That belief allows me to look forward to the future with hope. 

While some junior golfers take the initiative to learn and apply, most need a helping hand or a gentle push from a parent, mentor or even an older sibling.  It is my hope that the discussion questions that follow will be used as conversation starters in the car, during dinner or casual walk.  Try one soon and let me know how it goes.  Remember, these are not one-time conversations.  

In golf and in life we have to make choices.  When evaluating your choices, it is important to consider all of the possible outcomes of those choices.  This is where judgment enters the picture.   On the golf course, you have to make the call about club selection, target selection and tempo to name a few . 

The more you play the more you develop information about your abilities and how to approach the shot or putt at hand.  While the goal is simple, get the ball in hole in the least amount of strokes, the strategy to accomplish that goal requires you to be clear of mind so you can apply judgment before making a decision.  

When I teach beginner golf students, the most common feedback I hear is "this is harder than it looks."  While this may be true, by the end of the first lesson, they leave with more confidence in their ability to learn and eventually play the game.  I fully believe when you have experienced some level of success you will be motivated to get to the next level.  It is my goal to help all of my students get to the next level and become more confident in their abilities. 

The core value of courtesy is a building block for sportsmanship.  In other words, you are incapable of displaying sportsmanship without courtesy which is defined as 'the showing of politeness in one's attitude and behavior toward others'.  This is especially important in life which is why I am very supportive of parents who cancel lessons when their junior golfer has not been courteous to them.  I will also do what I can in the following lesson to encourage better choices at home. 

When I posted the first core value of honesty, I explained that it is part of my coaching strategy for juniors but I believe adult golfers could benefit from a refresher on all of the core values as well.  I have seen many adult or veteran golfers completely show disregard for the course they are privileged to play by not filling their divots, ignoring the "cart path only signs," and not returning golf carts to the proper place.    This is NOT respect!   

Now that the courses are open again, it is more important than ever to follow the rules of play.  Let's remember to show respect to each other during this unprecedented time.