Developing Confidence in Beginner Golfers: Thoughts and Recommendations
By Connie Capanegra, Keiser University College of Golf Instructor – LPGA Member
Golf is often cited as the sport with the most similarities to life. At times, it seems easy, and at other times, frustrating or unfair. The qualities necessary to improve an individual’s proficiency as a player often directly parallel with the same improvements in an individual’s self-image, social standing, and quality of life. Among these qualities are good judgment, mental fortitude, perseverance, a willingness to learn, and the ability to deal with setbacks. An asset foundational to developing these qualities is confidence.
The National Golf Foundation estimated that in 2024, 37% of junior golfers were girls, up from 15% in 2000. In addition, more than 25% of juniors are non-Caucasian, four times greater than twenty years ago. As coaches, we should be sensitive to the fact that these groups may face unique challenges in finding their identity and voice in society.
Beginner golfers cover a wide range of new participants. In addition to juniors, many first-time players are adults and seniors who have always wanted to try the game and are just now getting the opportunity. Whether you are coaching juniors, seniors, business executives, or a casual group of friends at the club, here are ten recommendations on how to work with players to develop confidence in themselves and their games.
Know your student and become their ally. At the start, ask players what is important to them. Do they want to play competitively on a team? Do their friends play? Perhaps they want to play in the annual company outing. Their answers will directly influence your approach with regard to goal setting and timelines. Listen and make notes, then assure them there is a path forward, setting a positive tone for sessions to come.
Set realistic expectations. On the range, players often hit a shot and immediately want to know what they did wrong. Explain that learning a motor skill takes thousands of repetitions, and insights gained take time and effort. New golfers are often frustrated when they can’t do something that appears easy to others. Assure them they will succeed but also that the best players in the world still practice daily, because they have not mastered the game.
Explore the score. A common tendency for new players is to associate their progress with their score. Furthermore, they often treat their lowest score as a new benchmark for future rounds. Rather than focusing on their score, ask your student how they felt walking on the first tee. How was their club selection on approach shots to the green? Did they end up short of the pin or long? Having the player identify patterns and tendencies reduces the importance of the number itself. The player will come to learn that many factors contribute to their final score, and each can be practiced and improved.
Start small. Early on, players need assurance they possess the skills necessary to become a proficient player. The putting green is a great place to start because it is easy to demonstrate how and where the ball contacts the clubface. One can also establish that a player’s grip, aim, and ball position influence where the ball goes. Get the player in the habit of focusing on the things they can control, their approach to the ball, their attitude, their setup, and their tempo. When they can make ten short putts in a row and tell you how they made it happen, their confidence will soar.
Move forward. Bad shots happen. Unlucky breaks are a part of the game. Even Tour players only hit a few shots a round exactly as they imagined them. Knowing in advance that their round will be full of challenges makes it easier to accept them when they inevitably happen. Another parallel to life.
Create a reset routine with them similar to a pre-shot routine. First Tee uses the STAR method. Stop, Think, Anticipate, Respond. Your player may choose a mantra or their own sequence of steps. Watch the ball till it stops. Make a mental note. Let it go and focus on the next shot.
Celebrate and inspire. One of the best, but often overlooked ways to your students motivated and on track is to sit down, take a break, and talk about how they’re doing. New golfers are great at focusing on what they can’t do. Your job is to show how far they’ve come. There are thousands of examples you might use to showcase their achievements. Their grip looks great, they have improved distance control when putting, and they hit their first shot 100 yards! Restate your belief in them and their abilities with genuine excitement for their future. Marking and celebrating milestones is a feel-good exercise for both the student and the teacher.
Educate to empower. Things that seem like common knowledge to a coach will likely be new to the player. They won’t want to ask ‘stupid’ questions because you’ll teach them the important stuff anyway. Rather than waiting 6 months for them to ask why there are 18 holes, give your student an assignment. Come to the next lesson with a question. Bonus points for two or more. How many golf courses are there? Is golf the same everywhere? Why are clubs shaped the way they are? Where does the sand in the bunkers come from? Nothing empowers a player like knowledge. The more they learn, the more confident and empowered they’ll become.
Make routine a habit. Habits shape our behaviors and as a result our attitudes and beliefs. Developing new skills and attaining goals requires more than a game plan. Where we are today and a year from now is the result of our daily habits, not our goals or intended routines. This fact is often lost on students who mistakenly believe that their desire to improve correlates with improvement. An approach to drive this home is to establish a simple, non-negotiable they do every day. Putt ten balls to a target ten feet away. Do this every day. If they don’t have access to a green, putt at home or in the office. If they don’t have their putter, go through the routine anyway. It’s important they get accustomed to practicing daily. Consistency is the key to developing habits, and good habits build confidence.
Practice under pressure. On the golf course, every shot matters. A fun way to emulate this on the range is to designate a challenge partner. Each player picks a target and hits a shot at it. Then a new target is chosen. This forces the student to think each shot through and practice their pre-shot routine.
For added pressure, have a random person watch the competition. This can be unnerving for almost any new golfer, but anxiety is unwarranted. Have your student verbalize what they are feeling and help them work through their fears. Learning techniques like visualization, deep breathing, and self-affirmations will give your student the confidence to stay cool and calm when under pressure.
Prioritize self-care. The single most important thing you can do as a coach is to let your student know they matter, they are valued, and they are enough. Golf is a fun and challenging sport, and you are lucky enough to be their mentor. Use your position of influence and trust to see that your player surrounds him or herself with positive influences. Ask about friends. See that they are part of the community. Make self-care, and healthy habits related to sleep, diet, and exercise part of the discussion while training. The better a person feels, the easier it is to maintain a positive attitude.
A lack of confidence can affect mental health, wages, relationships, and the willingness to pursue challenging goals. The effects are compounding and create a mindset of anxiety and self-doubt. For these reasons, it is vital to take the time to demonstrate and validate that confidence can be learned and built up. As coaches, we should strive to be the advocates and mentors we would want for ourselves. Welcome new students with open arms and assure them you have a game plan just for them and they will succeed. The first step to building confidence in others is having your own. Add some of the tips and techniques above to your training sessions. Stay positive. Commit to your plan. Know and trust the process and celebrate your success along the way. You got this!
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Want more tips? If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, we can elevate your game to new heights together. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.
