Golf Psychology for Kids: Mental Game Secrets Every Junior Golfer Needs with Lanny Bassham
02/24/25 • 65 min
In this episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, I sit down with Lanny Bassham, an Olympic Gold Medalist and mental performance coach, to explore how junior golfers can develop a champion’s mindset. Lanny shares the mental training system that helped him go from choking under pressure at the Olympics to dominating his sport with 22 world titles.
We dive into golf psychology, mental toughness, and confidence-building techniques that can help young golfers improve their golf swing, golf practice, and tournament performance. Lanny reveals why the top 5% of athletes prioritize mental training and how parents can support their child's junior golf development without adding pressure.
If your junior golfer struggles with performance anxiety, self-doubt, or inconsistency, this episode is packed with practical golf tips, visualization techniques, and mental exercises to help them play with confidence and focus.
Whether your child is just starting with golf lessons for kids or competing in junior golf tournaments, this episode will give you the tools to help them succeed.
🎧 Listen now and give your child the mental edge on the course!
Takeaways:
The mental game is crucial for excelling in sports, but it is often undervalued and neglected in training.
The top performers prioritize the mental game, while many others focus solely on skill development.
Parents play a significant role in shaping their children's self-image and should focus on building a positive self-image through constructive feedback and solution-oriented discussions.
Imprints, both positive and negative, influence self-image and performance.
Starting mental training at a young age can have long-term benefits for athletes. Passion is a crucial factor in sports, and parents should support and nurture their children's passion.
There are three levels of participation: interested, training to compete, and training to win. Parents should match their level of participation with their child's.
The mental game is essential in sports, and athletes and parents should prioritize mental skills training.
Overcoming fear and negative self-talk is crucial for success in sports. Developing a mental management system can help athletes stay focused and consistent.
Parents play a significant role in the mental coaching of their children and should seek resources and support to improve their understanding of the mental game.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Importance of the Mind in Sports
02:51 The Undervalued Mental Game
07:53 The Difference Between Top Performers and the Rest
10:50 The Role of Parents in Shaping Self-Image
17:56 Constructive Feedback and Solution-Oriented Discussions
21:17 The Power of Positive Imprints
29:37 Starting Mental Training at a Young Age
32:02 The Importance of Passion and Competition in Sports
36:27 The Role of Parents in Supporting Children's Passion
39:26 Understanding the Mental Game in Sports
41:45 Overcoming Fear and Negative Self-Talk
47:02 Prioritizing Mental Skills Training
01:00:47 The Role of Parents as Mental Coaches
Links:
Website - https://withwinninginmind.com
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
In this episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, I sit down with Lanny Bassham, an Olympic Gold Medalist and mental performance coach, to explore how junior golfers can develop a champion’s mindset. Lanny shares the mental training system that helped him go from choking under pressure at the Olympics to dominating his sport with 22 world titles.
We dive into golf psychology, mental toughness, and confidence-building techniques that can help young golfers improve their golf swing, golf practice, and tournament performance. Lanny reveals why the top 5% of athletes prioritize mental training and how parents can support their child's junior golf development without adding pressure.
If your junior golfer struggles with performance anxiety, self-doubt, or inconsistency, this episode is packed with practical golf tips, visualization techniques, and mental exercises to help them play with confidence and focus.
Whether your child is just starting with golf lessons for kids or competing in junior golf tournaments, this episode will give you the tools to help them succeed.
🎧 Listen now and give your child the mental edge on the course!
Takeaways:
The mental game is crucial for excelling in sports, but it is often undervalued and neglected in training.
The top performers prioritize the mental game, while many others focus solely on skill development.
Parents play a significant role in shaping their children's self-image and should focus on building a positive self-image through constructive feedback and solution-oriented discussions.
Imprints, both positive and negative, influence self-image and performance.
Starting mental training at a young age can have long-term benefits for athletes. Passion is a crucial factor in sports, and parents should support and nurture their children's passion.
There are three levels of participation: interested, training to compete, and training to win. Parents should match their level of participation with their child's.
The mental game is essential in sports, and athletes and parents should prioritize mental skills training.
Overcoming fear and negative self-talk is crucial for success in sports. Developing a mental management system can help athletes stay focused and consistent.
Parents play a significant role in the mental coaching of their children and should seek resources and support to improve their understanding of the mental game.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Importance of the Mind in Sports
02:51 The Undervalued Mental Game
07:53 The Difference Between Top Performers and the Rest
10:50 The Role of Parents in Shaping Self-Image
17:56 Constructive Feedback and Solution-Oriented Discussions
21:17 The Power of Positive Imprints
29:37 Starting Mental Training at a Young Age
32:02 The Importance of Passion and Competition in Sports
36:27 The Role of Parents in Supporting Children's Passion
39:26 Understanding the Mental Game in Sports
41:45 Overcoming Fear and Negative Self-Talk
47:02 Prioritizing Mental Skills Training
01:00:47 The Role of Parents as Mental Coaches
Links:
Website - https://withwinninginmind.com
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
Previous Episode
Activating 'Flow State' in Golf - PsychoNeuromuscular Training with Bo Watson & Shannon Shuskey
In this episode, Bo Watson and Shannon Shuskey break down the critical role of mental training in golf, revealing why success on the course is more mental than physical. They introduce PsychoNeuromuscular Training, a proven method that helps golfers access the "zone" or flow state on command, leading to more consistent and peak performances.
Bo and Shannon dive deep into visualization techniques, explaining how using all seven senses can enhance performance and referencing legendary golfers who have successfully incorporated mental imagery into their training. They also discuss CPR (Consistent Passionate Reaction)—a concept that highlights how emotional responses impact focus and performance under pressure.
For parents of junior golfers, this episode provides invaluable insights into creating a supportive environment, avoiding the pitfalls of performance-related pressure, and fostering mental resilience. Bo and Shannon also share practical mental training resources, ensuring both parents and athletes have the tools to develop a strong, focused, and confident mindset on the course.
If you want to unlock the true mental potential of your young golfer, this episode is a must-listen!
Chapters
00:00 The Mental Game of Golf
07:58 Unlocking the Zone: Psycho Neuromuscular Training
15:56 Visualizing Success: The Seven Senses Approach
21:04 Historical Insights: Golf Legends and Mental Imagery
23:58 The Power of Visualization in Golf
26:21 Creating Effective Triggers for Performance
29:15 Understanding CPR: Consistent Passionate Reaction
34:54 Emotional Responses and Focus in Golf
39:21 Guiding Junior Golfers: Parental Influence
45:31 Accessing Resources for Mental Training
Links:
Book - In The Zone Secrets: How To Get In The Zone At The Flip Of A Switch
Website - www.InTheZoneMentalTraining.com
The Golf Parent
Next Episode
How to Develop Junior Golfers | Golf Coaching & Practice Rounds with VJ Trolio
What’s the difference between a golf teacher and a golf coach, and why does it matter for junior golf development? In this episode of The Golf Parent, we sit down with VJ Trolio, one of the top golf instructors in the country, to explore the keys to developing junior golfers into champions. Trolio, author of Only One Shot: Creating a Discipline Defined and Love-Driven Environment for Junior Golfers, breaks down the essential elements of planning effective practice rounds, supporting junior golfers as parents, and fostering a mindset for success.
We discuss how playing the game—not just working on technique—builds better players, the role of honesty and emotional control in parenting junior golfers, and how immersion and playfulness are crucial for long-term development. Trolio also shares how his son earned a golf scholarship to Ole Miss and what traits he looks for in young players with potential. Whether you're a golf parent or coach, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help your junior golfer thrive on and off the course.
Takeaways:
The distinction between a golf teacher and a golf coach lies in the approach: a teacher focuses on technique, while a coach takes a holistic approach and guides the player through the process of playing the game.
Playing the game and gaining experience before receiving extensive instruction can be beneficial for junior golfers.
Access to the golf course and proximity to playing the game are crucial for junior golf development.
Parents should provide honest feedback and support their child's golf journey, focusing on the process rather than solely on outcomes.
Planning practice rounds with a focus on strategy and creating usable plans can enhance a junior golfer's performance.
Developing a well-rounded athlete through participation in multiple sports and focusing on athleticism is important for junior golfers. Stay honest and avoid emotional outbursts when parenting junior golfers.
Give feedback to junior golfers after their limbic system has calmed down.
Look for junior golfers who are inspired by great shots, have gratitude for the game, and possess physical coordination.
Encourage a playful mindset and immersion in the process of improvement.
Create an environment that fosters focus and proximity to golf courses.
Chapters:
00:00 The Difference Between a Golf Teacher and a Golf Coach
02:29 The Importance of Playing the Game in Junior Golf Development
07:25 Creating a Discipline Defined and Love-Driven Environment for Junior Golfers
16:12 Planning Effective Practice Rounds
22:16 The Role of Parents in Supporting Junior Golfers
24:32 Parenting Junior Golfers: Honesty and Emotional Control
26:27 Identifying Potential: Inspiration, Gratitude, and Physical Coordination
31:28 The Power of Immersion and Playfulness
39:43 Creating an Environment for Success
Links:
Website - https://troliogolf.com/about-vj-trolio/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vjtroliogolf/
X - https://x.com/VTROLIO
Books - https://www.amazon.com/V-J-Trolio-Books/s?k=V.+J.+Trolio&rh=n%3A283155
Instruction - https://www.oldwaverly.com/coachesandsessions
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
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