GOLF’S AMERICAN

DEVELOPMENT MODEL
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 3
WHY AN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL?...................................................... 4
ADM STATEMENT................................................................................................................5-6
A PATHWAY FOR OUR SPORT......................................................................................... 7
KEY PRINCIPLES FOR GOLF’S ADM.........................................................................8-9
WHY ADOPT THE 5 KEY PRINCIPLES OF ADM?............................................10-13
GOLF AND ADM.....................................................................................................................14
GOLF’S AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL..........................................................15
ACTIVE START................................................................................................................... 16-17
FUNDAMENTALS..............................................................................................................18-19
LEARN TO PLAY............................................................................................................. 20-21
PLAY TO IMPROVE........................................................................................................22-23
PLAY TO COMPETE.......................................................................................................24-25
PLAY TO WIN....................................................................................................................26-27
PLAY GOLF FOR LIFE.........................................................................................................28
PGA.COACH..............................................................................................................................29
APPENDIX 1............................................................................................................................. 30
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.....................................................................................................31
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................32

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INTRODUCTION
The American Development Model (ADM) is a concerted effort between the United States
Olympic Committee (USOC) and its National Governing Bodies of sport to apply long-term athlete
development principles in a way that resonates with the culture of sport in the United States.

The ultimate goal is to create positive experiences for

American sport participants at every level. The purpose
of this document is to provide key influencers – including
administrators and coaches – a roadmap for building and
delivering programs that focus on the individual at each
stage of development.

Led by the USOC, golf’s ADM has vision, data and

expertise that we can learn from and utilize as an industry.
We have compiled recommendations on how this should
be appropriately applied in our industry to maximize
lifelong participation, reduce golfer burnout and drive
business. The ADM provides age-appropriate guidelines
and curriculum for the American golf industry to help
more people have fun playing golf, develop a lifelong love
of the game, and excel at golf.

There is strong support for an ADM at many levels:

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WHY AN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL?
The United States Olympic Committee and its National Governing Bodies understand the vital role Sport
plays in the lives of Americans. Participating in sports is an excellent form of exercise, a way to build
lifelong relationships and a platform for achieving goals and realizing potential.

Without positive sports and golf

experiences specifically, we risk:
• Fewer opportunities and demand for sport and
golf programming
• Fewer opportunities to teach valuable life lessons
through golf and other sports
• Fewer golfers and participants in the system to
drive business and success for our industry

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 ADM STATEMENT
The United States Olympic Committee and its National Governing Bodies
embrace the athlete development principles that allow Americans to utilize
sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle, creating opportunities for
golfers to maximize their full potential.

These five key principles include:

1. Universal access to create opportunity for all 3. Multi-sport and multi-activity participation

2. Developmentally appropriate activities 4. Fun, engaging and progressively

that emphasize motor and foundational challenging atmosphere
skills. Golfer dropout rate will be reduced
when appropriate activity is introduced. 5. Quality coaching at all levels

70%

MATT KUCHER

MICHAEL PHELPS
OF OLYMPIC TEAM ATHLETES
WERE MULTI-SPORT
INTO HIGH SCHOOL

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By creating early positive experiences for all participants,
the American Development Model will keep more golfers
engaged in our sport longer, with four outcomes:
• Develop fundamental skills that transfer between sports
• Provide an appropriate avenue to fulfill an individual’s athletic and
personal potential
• Create a generation that loves golf and physical activity, and transfers that
passion and healthy lifestyle to the next generation
• Grow both the general athlete population and the pool of elite athletes
from which future LPGA and PGA Tour players, major champions and U.S.
Olympians and Paralympians are selected

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A PATHWAY FOR OUR SPORT
MALES FEMALES

PLAY TO WIN 19+ 18+

PLAY TO COMPETE 16-23+ 15-21+

PLAY TO IMPROVE 12-16 11-15

PLAY GOLF
FOR LIFE
LEARN TO PLAY 9-12 8-11

FUNDAMENTALS 6-9 6-8

ACTIVE START 0-6 0-6

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KEY PRINCIPLES FOR GOLF’S ADM
Golf programs looking to take advantage of the scientific facts of the American
Development Model should adhere to these five principles:

I. DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES THAT EMPHASIZE MOTOR AND

FOUNDATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT
A clear understanding of an athlete’s developmental level (as opposed to his or her age)
will help coaches, parents and administrators appropriately tailor the training, skills and
tactics taught to maximize an individual’s full potential, while helping avoid burnout.
In order to succeed, participants must first learn foundational motor skills
and technique. Coaches, parents and administrators who jump directly
into competition tactics and strategy without emphasizing basic
fundamentals may put their athletes at a disadvantage. To ensure
long-term success, participants must be given adequate time and
knowledge to develop these essential building blocks for success.

II. ENHANCED ENTRY TO CREATE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Enhanced entry is defined as creating opportunities for
everyone to begin and participate in sport. By providing
enhanced entry to all regardless of age, gender, race,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, and economic
status, more Americans could become involved in sport and
be more physically active. Sport must be inclusive so that
everyone has the opportunity to discover the benefit of
physical activity and realize their full athletic potential.
Sport and physical activity are tools for Americans
to express themselves, develop social relationships
and learn valuable life lessons.

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III. ENCOURAGE MULTI-SPORT PARTICIPATION
Multi-sport participation is critical to developing a well-rounded foundation for physical activity that can
transfer between sports. Encouraging children to participate in multiple sport activities at a young age offers
them the opportunity to explore, play and discover sport according to their personal interests and skill level.
Multi-sport play also provides several cross-training benefits for all — such as
strength, endurance, agility, coordination and speed training — that enhances
athleticism and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Athletes also benefit from the
social and psychological impact of multi-sport participation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq_Uoj2wRGA

IV. FUN, ENGAGING AND CHALLENGING ATMOSPHERE

A fun, engaging and challenging environment is essential for any sport
activity. The definition of “fun” may change as participants advance
to more elite levels of competition, but a standard emphasis on
making the process positive and enjoyable is key.
Free and spontaneous play is encouraged to help foster
growth and development. By offering the opportunity for
unstructured play, athletes are more likely to customize
physical activity to meet their needs and keep the fun in
sport intact. Fun, engaging and challenging = long term
golfers and that equals long term customers.

V. QUALITY COACHING AT ALL AGE LEVELS

Quality coaches are critical to athlete development; therefore
quality coaching education is imperative for athlete success
at all levels. Quality coaching not only requires a youth coach
to be qualified and highly knowledgeable about their sport,
but also to understand effective communication, practice
planning and athlete development. The very best coaches
view themselves as life long learners and are always
working toward improving themselves.
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WHY ADOPT THE 5 KEY PRINCIPLES OF ADM?
There are many shortcomings of not following the key principles
of an ADM and also correlating consequences:

Shortcomings
• Developmental golfers over-compete and under-train

• Adult training and competition programs are superimposed on young

developing golfers

• Training programs designed for males are superimposed on females

• Preparation is geared to the short-term outcome – winning – and not to the

process of developing

• Fundamental movement skills and fundamental sports skills are not taught
properly

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Shortcomings (continued)
• The most knowledgeable coaches work at the elite level,
while less knowledgeable volunteers often coach at the
developmental level where quality, trained coaches are
essential for optimum golfer development

• Parents are not educated about physical literacy and ADM

• The developmental training needs of golfers with a disability

are not well understood

• The competition system can interfere with golfer

development

• There is no integration between physical education

programs in the schools, recreational community programs
and elite competitive programs

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Consequences // What are the results of these shortcomings?
• Poor movement abilities and athleticism • Children not having fun as they play adult-
based programs – or golf courses set up for
• Limited skill development due to adults
under-training
• Burnout can occur from overtraining as
• Poor habits developed from over- can future injuries from improper and
competition focused on winning overtraining
• Female golfers may not reach full potential
due to inappropriate programs

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Consequences (continued)
• A lack of systematic development in the next • Golfers failing to reach their personal
generation of high performers potential and optimal performance level

• Fluctuating national performance due to • Lack of proper fitness leading to obesity

poor understanding of talent development,
identification and transfer within a THE RACE WE DON’T WANT TO WIN
developmental pathway PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT/OBESE CHILDEREN IN 16 PEER COUNTRIES

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 GOLF AND ADM
The American Development Model is meant to explain a golfer’s advancement through a pathway.

The pathway should be used to reference what key concepts participants should focus on as they
develop and grow in their golf experience.

Active Start FUNdamentals Learn to Play Play to Improve Play to Compete Play to Win PLAY GOLF FOR LIFE
Boys: 0-6 Boys: 6-9 Boys: 9-12 Boys: 12-16 Boys: 16-23 Boys: 19+
Girls: 0-6 Girls: 6-8 Girls: 8-11 Girls: 11-15 Girls: 15-21 Girls: 18+

GOLF’S ADM is comprised of seven stages designed to create a healthy sport experience and
support advancement based on the participant’s physical, mental and emotional level, and potential
for growth.

Consumers can use pathway models to understand when they should consider focusing on skill
development vs. competition, and at what ages to focus on advanced performance.

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 GOLF’S AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL

GOLF FOR LIFE

Active Start FUNdamentals Learn to Play Play to Improve Play to Compete Play to Win Play Golf for Life
0-6 Girls 6-8 Girls 8-11 Girls 11-15 Girls 15-21 Girls 18+ Girls
0-6 Boys 6-9 Boys 9-12 Boys 12-16 Boys 16-23 Boys 19+ Boys

• Provide organized • Practice becoming • Further develop • Introduce aerobic • Provide year-round, • Train golfers to peak • Have fun
physical activity for at more proficient all fundamental training as the child high intensity and, at major competitions • Inclusive
least 30 minutes a day in fundamental movement skills matures to further individual training. – performance on programming available
for toddlers and at least movement skills before and teach general, develop levels of skill, demand.
• Teach golfers, who for all (age, gender,
60 minutes a day for more sport-specific fundamental golf skills. speed, strength and are now proficient at • Ensure that training is race, socio-economic
preschoolers. skills are introduced Otherwise, a significant flexibility performing basic and characterized by high status)
window of opportunity
• Provide unstructured • Emphasize the • Encourage flexibility sport-specific skills, to intensity and relatively
is lost, compromising • Encouraged to play as
physical activity — overall development training, as the rapid perform those skills high volume all year
the ability of the young often as possible
active play — for at of the child’s physical growth of bones under a variety of round.
golfer to reach their full • Include physical
least 60 minutes a day, capacities, fundamental during this stage leads competitive conditions
potential. • Allow frequent fitness as part of
and up to several hours movement skills to stress on tendons, during training.
and the ABC’S of • Develop strength preventative breaks to programming
per day for toddlers ligaments and muscles
athleticism: agility, using exercises that • Place special prevent physical and
and preschoolers. • Include social aspects
balance, coordination incorporate the child’s • Note that both emphasis on optimum mental burnouts.
Toddlers and as part of programming
and speed own body weight aerobic and strength preparation by
preschoolers should • Change the training-
trainability are modelling competitions • Encourage practice
not be sedentary for • Teach appropriate • Introduce hopping to-competition
dependent on the in training. and the driving
more than 60 minutes and correct running, and bounding exercises ratio 25:75, with the
maturation levels of the range time for game
at a time, except while jumping and throwing or routines to aid in • Individually tailor competition percentage
youth. For this reason, improvement
sleeping. techniques strength and power fitness programs, including competition-
the periods during
development. recovery programs, specific training and • Encourage individual
• Provide infants, • Introduce basic which aerobic and psychological actual competitions. and group lessons and
toddlers and flexibility exercises • Further develop strength training are preparation and events
preschoolers with endurance through emphasized depend
• Develop speed, power technical development.
opportunities to continuous activity on whether an athlete • Move from highly
participate in daily and endurance using is an early, average or competitive golf to
games and relays.
physical activity that games someone who matured lifelong competitive
promotes fitness and late sport through club and
movement skills. local fun golf events

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ACTIVE START
Boys 0-6 // Girls 0-6

OBJECTIVES:
Learn fundamental movements and link them together in play.

ACTIVE START CHECKLIST:

✔✔ Provide organized physical activity for at least ✔✔ Encourage basic movement skills — they do not just happen
30 minutes a day for toddlers and at least as a child grows older, but develop depending on each child’s
60 minutes a day for preschoolers. heredity, activity experiences and environment. For children
✔✔ Provide unstructured physical activity — active play with a disability, access to age and disability-appropriate
— for at least 60 minutes a day, and up to several adapted equipment is an important contributor to success.
hours per day for toddlers and preschoolers. Toddlers ✔✔ Focus on improving basic movement skills such as
and preschoolers should not be sedentary for more running, jumping, twisting, kicking, throwing and
than 60 minutes at a time, except while sleeping. catching. These basic human movements are the
✔✔ Provide infants, toddlers and preschoolers with building blocks for more complex activities.
opportunities to participate in daily physical activity ✔✔ Design activities that help children feel competent,
that promotes fitness and movement skills. successful and comfortable participating in a variety
✔✔ Provide parents with age-appropriate of fun and challenging games and activities.
information related to golf. ✔✔ Ensure that games for young children are non-
✔✔ Introduce healthy nutrition habits (food competitive and focus on participation.
should not be used as a reward) ✔✔ Because girls tend to be less active and more social
than boys and children with a disability less active
✔✔ Ensure that children acquire movement skills that build
than their peers, ensure that activities are gender-
towards more complex movements. These skills help
neutral and physically inclusive so that active living
lay the foundation for lifelong physical activity.
is equally valued and promoted for all children.

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ACTIVE START GOLFER DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETIC SKILLS PRACTICE
Running, jumping, hopping, twisting, turning, No formal guidelines for practice. At this age
stopping, starting, static balance, catching a ball it’s about positive experiences based on a child’s
with two hands. interest level.

TECHNICAL SKILLS COMPETITION

Experimentation with body, club and ball. Important None. Not applicable or appropriate at this stage.
to remember kids don’t learn like adults.
EQUIPMENT
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT Age appropriate equipment.
Trying new challenges, effort, following simple Safety is the first and foremost
instructions. concern at these young ages.

SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT WHERE TO PLAY

Learning to share; learning to say thank you; like Everywhere commensurate
to be with friends; are the center of their worlds; with ability (Golf Course,
parents are central for praise and approval; need Park, gymnasium, mini putt,
balance and variety of new and familiar activities in backyard, school playground,
short doses. living room, etc.)

WHAT A PARENT SHOULD KNOW

Parents play the MOST important role at this stage
by immersing their children in various sports and
activities. They must assume this responsibility and
pave the path toward lifelong activity. Failure to do
so could lead to a sedentary lifestyle for their kids.
Nutrition is also important at this stage and parents
should start healthy eating habits. Golf is also an
excellent opportunity for the family to spend time
together and it’s never too early to start.

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 FUNdamentals
Boys 6-9 // Girls 6-8

OBJECTIVES:
Learn fundamental movement skills and build overall motor skills.

FUNdamentals CHECKLIST:
✔✔ Practice becoming more proficient ✔✔ Develop speed, power and design appropriate and that
in fundamental movement endurance using games communities explore ways to
skills before more sport- ✔✔ Encourage participation in share and provide access to
specific skills are introduced a wide range of sports appropriate equipment.
✔✔ Emphasize the overall development ✔✔ Develop linear, lateral and multi- ✔✔ Introduce very simple mental skills
of the child’s physical capacities, directional speed with short ✔✔ Ensure that activities change during
fundamental movement skills and bursts of activity (less than the school year and are enhanced
the ABC’S of athleticism: agility, five seconds), allowing for full by multi-sport camps during
balance, coordination and speed recovery between repetitions summer and winter holidays
✔✔ Teach appropriate and ✔✔ Include strength training exercises ✔✔ Participate once or twice a week in
correct running, jumping and using the child’s own body weight a preferred sport, so long as there is
throwing techniques participation in many other sports or
✔✔ Ensure that sporting and disability
✔✔ Introduce basic flexibility exercises equipment are size, weight and activities three or four times per week

NOTE: IF DURING THIS STAGE, CHILDREN ARE FAILING TO DEVELOP FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS,
THEN REMEDIATION IS DESIRABLE (RECOMMENDED WITH FURTHER PLAY). IF CHILDREN DO
NOT HAVE THE SAME ACTIVITY SKILLS AS THEIR PEERS, THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO BE INCLUDED IN
PEER-GROUP ACTIVITIES AND WILL HAVE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICE.

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FUNdamentals GOLFER DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETIC SKILLS EQUIPMENT
Agility, balance, coordination, skipping, hopping, Age appropriate clubs should
throwing/tossing and catching away from body with include: putter, lofted iron,
either hand, flexibility, strength. appropriately loft and length
driver (avoid too long and
TECHNICAL (SKILLS) DEVELOPMENT heavy) or hybrid at a minimum.
Continued focus on Fundamental Movement
skills and ABC’s of athleticism. Developing WHERE TO PLAY
Putting, Chipping and Full Swing skills. Everywhere! (Golf course, park,
gymnasium, mini golf, backyard,
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT school playground, living room,
Concentration, teach-ability, learning to etc.). 3, 6 or 9 holes when on
make choices, respect, understanding course (at shortened yardages).
rules, how to cope with success and Par 3 courses. Putting and
failure, learning to solve problems. chipping practice
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT
WHAT A PARENT SHOULD KNOW
Learning to cooperate with and help
other children. Learning to consider Parents must educate
other people. Learning through familiar activities. themselves about local sport
Want to do their best. Can show responsibility programs at this age and
through completing simple tasks and requests. decide which are best for their
children. During this stage it is
PRACTICE vital to participate in multiple
No formal guidelines for practice. At this age, it’s sports. Parents should also
about positive experience and participation based provide time for unstructured
on a child’s interest level. Practice can include on ‘fun’ play with their friends or
course time to ensure fun and games are also siblings and ensure screen time
suggested for engagement. is monitored and healthy foods
COMPETITION are introduced.
Focus at this stage is continuing to have fun and
improving upon skills as a focus and not competition
for score or against one another. Fun activities in a / 19
group environment.
LEARN TO PLAY
Boys 9-12 // Girls 8-11

OBJECTIVES:
Continue to develop fundamental movement skills and start to develop fundamental golf skills.

LEARN TO TRAIN CHECKLIST:

✔✔ Further develop all fundamental ✔✔ Further develop speed by using ✔✔ Apply a ratio of 70 percent
movement skills and teach general, specific activities that focus on agility, training and fun play to 30 percent
fundamental golf skills. Otherwise, quickness and change of direction competition (the 30 percent includes
a significant window of opportunity during the warm-up. competition-specific training and
is lost, compromising the ability of ✔✔ Further develop mental skills actual competitions). Participants
the young golfer to reach their full including focus and visualization. undertaking this type of preparation
potential. are better prepared for competition
✔✔ Provide developmentally appropriate in both the short and long-term than
✔✔ Develop strength using exercises that competitions (as outlined in
incorporate the child’s own body those who focus solely on winning.
Competitions heading below)
weight ✔✔ Encourage unstructured free play.
✔✔ Identify sports the child enjoys and
✔✔ Introduce hopping and bounding may have a successful predisposition
exercises or routines to aid in toward, as enjoyment and success
strength and power development. will increase the possibility of the
✔✔ Further develop endurance through child being active for life. Narrow the
continuous activity games and relays. focus to three sports.
✔✔ Further develop flexibility through
stretching.

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LEARN TO PLAY GOLFER DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT WHERE TO PLAY
Agility, footwork, dynamic balance, complex When ready, 1,000 yard Par 3 courses. 9 holes. Male: 18
coordination, speed of coordination, strength, flexibility. holes up to 5,500 yards. Female: 18 holes up to 4,750
TECHNICAL (SKILLS) DEVELOPMENT yards (note these are maximum recommendations
Continue to progress in proficiency of putting, chipping and suggest erring on the shorter side)
and full swing. Introduce bunker play, green reading
WHAT A PARENT SHOULD KNOW
and pitching. Note that children can be introduced
to bunkers earlier from a play and fun perspective. Parents must educate themselves about local In the
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT development stage, parents should look for progression
Love of the sport, coach-ability, concentration, programming at this point in the development stage
problem solving, becoming confident, making good and specifically look for how their child is progressing
choices, learning fairness, taking responsibility. with their skill development (not competition results).
Introduce local competition if the child chooses. Parents
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT should speak with their children and identify some
Learning to compete against other players. Learning sport preferences. As a child may begin to compete,
the values of golf. Learning independence and parents should support with positivity and focus on their
also how to work together as a team. Developing child’s behavior, experience and process for personal
self-awareness, children start to be aware of what improvement. They should not focus on the result.
they don’t know or what they can’t do. Like to help
others and the coach. Able to listen to the coach.
PRACTICE
Randomized practice for 30 to 60 minute sessions.
Promote practice with other juniors in activities
and fun games. Include on course practice for the
fun aspect. No more than 1 to 5 hours a week.
COMPETITION
Fun competition can start to be introduced
at this stage with junior club events and local
league or interclub events or junior tours. 9 holes
is a great start with a progression to 18.
EQUIPMENT
Equipment continues to be important. At a minimum: / 21
putter, wedge, 7 iron, 9 iron, hybrid, driver.
PLAY TO IMPROVE
Boys 12-16 // Girls 11-15

OBJECTIVES:
Continue to reinforce basic and fundamental golf movement skills
and build those skills into introductory competitive experiences.
TRAIN TO TRAIN CHECKLIST:
✔✔ Introduce aerobic training as the child ✔✔ Appropriate equipment for body size
matures to further develop levels of and skill level continue to be important
skill, speed, strength and flexibility as the child grows and changes

✔✔ Encourage flexibility training, as the ✔✔ Optimize training and competition

rapid growth of bones during this ratios and follow a 60:40 percent
stage leads to stress on tendons, training-to-competition ratio (the 40
ligaments and muscles percent includes competition-specific
training and actual competitions). Too
✔✔ Note that both aerobic and strength much competition wastes valuable
trainability are dependent on the training time
maturation levels of the youth. For
this reason, the periods during which ✔✔ At later stages encourage more
aerobic and strength training are serious golfers to focus on two sports
emphasized depend on whether an based on their desire to participate
athlete is an early, average or someone
who matured late ✔✔ Golfer training should include
competitive situations in the form of
✔✔ Learn to cope with the physical and practice matches, competitive games
mental challenges of competition and and drills
further develop mental skills

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PLAY TO IMPROVE GOLFER DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT EQUIPMENT
Agility, footwork, balance, complex coordination, Kids should have a full set of
strength, core strength and flexibility. equipment at this stage. Note
TECHNICAL (SKILLS) DEVELOPMENT that depending on growth
Consolidating and beginning to master technical spurt the equipment should be
skills. Exploring variations – developing consistency monitored closely, as they can
under pressure. Focusing on putting, chipping, full outgrow it in the midst of the
swing, bunker play, green reading, pitching and club season.
selection. WHERE TO PLAY
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT Course length for males up to
Love of the sport, focus, simple goal setting, self- 6,400 yards. Females up to 5,800
motivation, confidence, learning to make decisions, yards. This is a guideline and
developing self-reliance, understanding winning and appendix 2 should be viewed.
losing. Respect of others.
WHAT A PARENT SHOULD KNOW
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT
Parents must monitor the
More independent, able to share, improved decision
growth spurt at this stage.
making ability. Desire independence and are building
Communication should increase
confidence. Peer group acceptance becomes
between child and parent as
important and physical competency plays a role in
they discuss the child’s sporting
how one is perceived. Girls tend to form close knit
options. Parents can help
friendships, boys have more broad relationships.
with input as the child looks
PRACTICE to specialize in specific sports.
Continuing random practice sessions in different Golf is a late specialization sport
environments. 45-90 minutes per session. 5-7 hours and late developers should be
per week. Include fun, on-course play. encouraged NOT to drop out of
COMPETITION golf. Parents should also facilitate
Competition is good at this stage. However, the the relationship with any coaches
competition should include fun and social activities and put the child and school
as well. Stakes of competition are increased – before sport. Parents should
particularly when travel is involved. Important to ensure rest and nutrition are
note that long distance travel takes away from focuses as well.
practice time which is crucial at this stage. 60% of
time should be spent training and only 40% of time
in competition. 9, 18, 36 and 54 hole events can be
played with an emphasis on 18 hole events. / 23
 PLAY TO COMPETE
Boys 16-23 // Girls 15-21

OBJECTIVES:
Establish and implement programs to ensure the technical, tactical and supporting
ancillary skills of the individual player are improved to meet current and future
competitive expectations.
TRAIN TO COMPETE CHECKLIST:
NOTE: MOST SHOULD TRANSITION INTO A GOLF FOR LIFE STREAM
✔✔ Provide year-round, high intensity and, individual
AT THIS AGE AND STAGE. training.
✔✔ Teach golfers, who are now proficient at
performing basic and sport-specific skills, to
perform those skills under a variety of competitive
conditions during training.
✔✔ Place special emphasis on optimum preparation by
modelling competitions in training.
✔✔ Individually tailor fitness programs, recovery
programs, psychological preparation and technical
development.
✔✔ Emphasize individual preparation that addresses
each golfer’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
✔✔ Select golf or recommended two sports to
specialize with the other being complementary
✔✔ Change the training-to-competition and
competition-specific training ratio to 40:60.
✔✔ Devote 40 percent of available time to the
development of technical and tactical skills and
improving fitness, and 60 percent to competition-
specific training and actual competitions.

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 PLAY TO COMPETE GOLFER DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION
Agility, footwork, dynamic balance, Self-defined enjoyment and Personalized competition plan based
strength, endurance, speed, participation in the sport. on periodization. At least one annual
plyometric/power and flexibility. A Willingness to be flexible and try review of performance with coach, as
well designed and individualized new things, accepting responsibility, well as competition planning session.
annual plan should be developed at respect, making good choices, EQUIPMENT
this stage in conjunction with a fitness leadership skills, communication Custom fit equipment at this stage
expert. As frequency of playing and skills, interpersonal skills and mental becomes the norm
practicing increases, it is important toughness. Long-term goal setting
to monitor for overuse injuries and and incremental steps to get there. WHERE TO PLAY
mental burnout. Males up to 7,200 yards. Females up
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL to 6,400 yards. See appendix 1.
TECHNICAL (SKILLS) DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT Seeking independence without WHAT A PARENT SHOULD KNOW
Repetition of fundamental skills, needing to ask permission all
curbing bad habits, innovating, the time. Developing logical and A competitive athletes schedule
tweaking and fine tuning. Mastering deductive reasoning. Self-image becomes all-consuming and it’s
skills. Performance benchmarks are is stabilizing but peers are very important for the parents to create
set at this stage: influential. Opportunity to explore a family environment for the entire
and experiment within sport activity family (child and siblings). As an
is important. Healthy adult/mentor athlete at this stage becomes more
MALE FEMALE
relationships are beneficial. independent and more capable;
parents can play a more passive
BALL SPEED:150+ BALL SPEED: 130+ PRACTICE role and offer guidance and support
32-42 weeks a year. 30-40 hours per throughout. The parent becomes a
week. Three to four hour practice support vehicle for the coach and to
GIR: 10-12 GIR: 10-12
session with 40% putting, 20% short make sure the athlete is following the
game, 40% long game. Practice proper regimen.
UP AND DOWN % UP AND DOWN %
WITHIN 50 YARDS WITHIN 50 YARDS
schedule should be reviewed and
monitored via coach.
45-60% FROM GRASS 45-60% FROM GRASS
40% FROM SAND 35% FROM SAND

PUTTING PUTTING
95% FROM 3 FEET 95% FROM 3 FEET
75% FROM 4-5 FEET 75% FROM 4-5 FEET
45% FROM 6-10 FEET 45% FROM 6-10 FEET
20% FROM 11-15 FEET 20% FROM 11-15 FEET / 25
 PLAY TO WIN
Boys 19+ // Girls 18+

OBJECTIVES:
Reinforce, refine and optimize technical, tactical and ancillary skills so that competitive
performance of the golfer meets current and future expectations.
TRAIN TO WIN CHECKLIST:
NOTE: GOLFERS AT THIS STAGE ARE ELITE AMATEURS
✔✔ Train golfers to peak at major competitions –
AND PROFESSIONALS. performance on demand.
✔✔ Ensure that training is characterized by high
intensity and relatively high volume all year round.
✔✔ Allow frequent preventative breaks to prevent
physical and mental burnouts.
✔✔ Change the training-to-competition ratio 25:75,
with the competition percentage including
competition-specific training and actual
competitions.

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PLAY TO WIN GOLFER DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
Agility, footwork, dynamic balance, strength, endurance, Completely understands and accepts the need for rules,
speed and flexibility. At this stage the athlete should have a regulation, planning and structure. Also sees long-term
solid foundation in place from years of training and follow a pay off of hard work and goal setting.
yearly plan. SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT
TECHNICAL (SKILLS) DEVELOPMENT Self-actualization and self-expression are important. Major
Full mastery of technical skills; centeredness of ball decisions about life are of significant importance during
contact, controlling golf ball, distance control, ability this time. At this age there is also a high need to be self-
to adapt to variety of conditions, set game plan and directed and independent.
understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses. PRACTICE
Performance Benchmarks: 44-48 weeks per year. 40 hours per week. 4-6 hour
sessions.
MALE FEMALE COMPETITION
Periodized planning based on the personal athlete.
BALL SPEED:160+ BALL SPEED: 140+
Professional – 20-35 multi round events per year
Amateur – 13-20 multi round events per year.
GIR: 12-14 GIR: 11-14
EQUIPMENT
Ongoing review and fitting based on sport science
UP AND DOWN % UP AND DOWN %
WITHIN 50 YARDS WITHIN 50 YARDS
55-65% FROM GRASS 55-65% FROM GRASS
45% FROM SAND 40% FROM SAND

PUTTING PUTTING
96% FROM 3 FEET 96% FROM 3 FEET
80% FROM 4-5 FEET 75% FROM 4-5 FEET
50% FROM 6-10 FEET 50% FROM 6-10 FEET
25% FROM 11-15 FEET 25% FROM 11-15 FEET

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PLAY GOLF FOR LIFE
Golf for life includes everyone.

OBJECTIVES:
Continue to reinforce basic and fundamental golf movement skills
and build those skills into introductory competitive experiences.

GOLF FOR LIFE CHECKLIST:

✔✔ Have fun ✔✔ Encourage practice and the driving
✔✔ Inclusive programming available for range time for game improvement
all (age, gender, race, socio-economic ✔✔ Encourage individual and group
status) lessons and events
✔✔ Encouraged to play as often as ✔✔ Move from highly competitive golf
possible to lifelong competitive sport through
✔✔ Include physical fitness as part of club and local fun golf events
programming
✔✔ Include social aspects as part of
programming

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PGA.COACH
The ultimate goal of ADM is to maximize each athlete’s potential, create well-rounded athletes and
develop principles that create life-long golfers for both current and future generations. To help with
this process, the PGA of America has created www.PGA.Coach, a website that will give the golf
industry access to course content to help them properly coach ADM principles to athletes of all ages.

Once the course content is completed, coaches on the frontlines (specifically PGA and LPGA
members) are then given access to the PGA Coach app which provides tools to help build lesson
plans, promote their business and more. The app is available in both the Apple and Google Play stores.

How Do You Get Started?

PGA and LPGA Professionals can sign up for PGA Coach by visiting www.PGA.Coach.

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APPENDIX 1
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING TEES
This chart is to be used as
DRIVER RECOMMENDED
DISTANCE 18-HOLE YARDAGES a guideline to help golfers
potentially align their average
275 6,700 - 6,900 driving distance with a course
length that is best suited to
250 6,200 - 6,400
ablilities.
225 5,800 - 6,000

200 5,200 - 5,400

175 4,400 - 4,600

150 3,500 - 3,700

125 2,800 - 3,000

100 2,100 - 2,300

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Governing bodies leading golf’s Technical Expert Group:
ADM Development with the USOC:
Dr. Brian Hainline
USA GOLF Chief Medical Officer, NCAA
LPGA Chris Snyder
PGA TOUR Director of Coaching, USOC
PGA OF AMERICA Mary Lee Cobick
THE MASTERS Owner, Golf Professional Services
USGA (LPGA Member)
Dr. Steve Norris
ADM Governing Body Committee: Worldwide Long Term Athlete
Nancy Henderson Development Expert
Chief Teaching Officer, LPGA Ted Logan
Andy Levinson Project Manager
Vice President, PGA Tour and Tom Morton
Executive Director, USA GOLF Director of Golf, Morton Golf (PGA Member)
Ted Logan
Player Development Consultant, Subject Matter Expert Review
PGA of America USA Hockey The First Tee Aspen Institute – Project Play
Beth Major USA Basketball U.S. Kids Golf Golf Channel
Director Community Outreach, USGA
USA Lacrosse PGA of America IAGA – International
Steve Mona Junior Golf Committee Association of Golf
CEO, World Golf Foundation NCAA
Administrators
TGA Premier Junior Golf
Mike O’Donnell SHAPE AMERICA
Senior Director Player Development, Golf 20/20
NGCOA
PGA of America Jack Nicklaus
PGA of Canada
Matt Williams Annika Sorenstam
Golf Canada
Director Golf Development, The Masters
David Leadbetter
AJGA

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REFERENCES
Aspen Institute. Project Play Report. Sport for all play for life: A playbook to get
every kid in the game. 2015. Projectplay.us

Balyi, I., Way, R., Higgs, C. (2013). Long Term Athlete Development. Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics

Canadian Sport for Life. Long Term Athlete Development Stages. Sport for Life
2018. Sportforlife.ca

Golf Canada in partnership with PGA of Canada. Long Term Player Development
Guide. Version 2.0. 2014. Golfcanada.ca

US Lacrosse Athlete Development. Stages of Development Guide. October 2016.

Uslacrosse.org/LADM

USA Hockey: American Development Model. Long Term Athlete Development

Stages. 2018. Admkids.com

USA Basketball. Youth Basketball Guidelines. 2016. Youthguidelines.nba.com

United States Olympic Committee. American Development Model: Rebuilding Ath-

letes in America. TeamUSA.org

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