The Missing Piece: Course Management
Why Course Management Coaching Can’t Be Overlooked
Coaching course management thought processes and strategies is tricky. It’s a vast intangible concept. It can be difficult to track how course management helps or hinders a round of golf and often gets overlooked because it’s simply easier to focus on skill development or the elements of the game where we can keep concrete statistics. So how do we focus in on this extremely important factor in the game of golf?
We want our athletes to feel as comfortable as possible physically, but also mentally. By preparing athletes for the concentration level needed under pressure or stressful conditions, we can help enhance their performance. Teaching through narrative learning, by telling stories of good and poor decisions you might have made as a golfer, can be helpful in the athletes’ learning process. This gives them permission to make mistakes, but also helps them to make adjustments because they have examples to pull from of what to do or what not to do.
Golfers have very little time between the moment they arrive at and hit their golf ball. They have to make quick decisions and sift through the numerous options and opportunities to put together the puzzle pieces of their individual thoughts and overall scores. Helping our athletes understand their golfer profile, how to use the elements of a golf course to their benefit, and learn how segmentation of a hole works, we can help them make strategic decisions (Serrano-Gómez et al., 2020).
Practice rounds, practice sessions, and utilization of yardage books are where a lot of this is learned and it’s important for coaches to bring athletes into the learning process of course management because by implementing this more athlete-centered approach, athletes are empowered, and this enables them to be effective decision makers during competition (Kidman, 2010).
Similarly, dyad learning where athletes practice, observe and talk out shots and strategies in an interactive way will assist in effective and efficient learning protocol and could lead to improved performance (Shea et al., 1999). When practicing, have a goal and focus in mind because when the athletes are just focusing on course management in general, it might be too much for them to comprehend, especially at a lower level. Focus solely on course management for tee shots, shots into the green, or Par 5 strategy, have fun with it, integrate competition, and put up a reward when possible.
How do you coach course management strategies? Comment below!
References
Kenow, L., & Williams, J. M. (1999). Coach-athlete compatibility and athlete's perception of coaching behaviors. Journal of Sport Behaviour, 22, 251-259.
Kidman, L. (2010). Athlete-centred coaching: Developing decision makers. IPC Print Resources.
Nideffer, R. M. (1987). Psychological preparation of the highly competitive athlete. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 15(10), 85-92.
Serrano-Gómez, V., García-García, Ó., Gambau i Pinasa, V., & Rial-Boubeta, A. (2020). Characterization of profiles as management strategies based on the importance and valuation that users give to the elements of the golf courses. Sustainability, 12(11), 4781.
Shea, C. H., Wulf, G., & Whltacre, C. (1999). Enhancing training efficiency and effectiveness through the use of dyad training. Journal of motor behavior, 31(2), 119-125.