
Process Over Results: Nurturing Junior Golfers with Todd Kolb
12/17/24 • 53 min
In this episode of The Golf Parent, I sit down with golf coach and author Todd Kolb to dive into the art of raising passionate, resilient junior golfers. Todd shares age-specific strategies for guiding young athletes, emphasizing the value of multi-sport participation and a competitive mindset. He explores how parents can create supportive environments that encourage growth and focus on the process of improvement, rather than solely on results.
Todd also breaks down common misconceptions in golf instruction, including simplifying the short game and shifting the focus from distance to control for consistent performance. Beyond technical advice, he offers powerful insights into overcoming bad days—both on the course and in life—and explains how to avoid the pitfalls of toxic sports parenting.
Whether you're a parent looking to inspire your junior golfer or an athlete aiming to sharpen your game, Todd’s expertise will help you foster passion, resilience, and lasting success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Youth Sports Development
02:53 Passion and Environment in Junior Golf
05:59 Nurturing Young Golfers: Parental Influence
08:56 Age-Specific Guidance for Young Golfers
12:08 Building Resilience in Young Athletes
15:09 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation
17:48 Developing Competitive Nature in Golf
21:05 Focusing on Process Over Results in Golf
26:51 Letting Go of Bad Days
29:13 The Bad Lie: Rethinking Golf Instruction
31:08 Misconceptions in Golf Instruction for Older Players
34:26 Injury Prevention and Swing Mechanics
37:34 The Importance of Control Over Distance
39:53 Simplifying the Short Game
46:40 Strategies for Lowering Scores
50:44 Encouraging Greatness in Young Athletes
Links:
Todd Kolb
Twitter: https://x.com/usgolftv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usgolftv/
Book: The Bad Lie https://www.badliegolfbook.com/
Website: https://usgolftv.com/
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
In this episode of The Golf Parent, I sit down with golf coach and author Todd Kolb to dive into the art of raising passionate, resilient junior golfers. Todd shares age-specific strategies for guiding young athletes, emphasizing the value of multi-sport participation and a competitive mindset. He explores how parents can create supportive environments that encourage growth and focus on the process of improvement, rather than solely on results.
Todd also breaks down common misconceptions in golf instruction, including simplifying the short game and shifting the focus from distance to control for consistent performance. Beyond technical advice, he offers powerful insights into overcoming bad days—both on the course and in life—and explains how to avoid the pitfalls of toxic sports parenting.
Whether you're a parent looking to inspire your junior golfer or an athlete aiming to sharpen your game, Todd’s expertise will help you foster passion, resilience, and lasting success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Youth Sports Development
02:53 Passion and Environment in Junior Golf
05:59 Nurturing Young Golfers: Parental Influence
08:56 Age-Specific Guidance for Young Golfers
12:08 Building Resilience in Young Athletes
15:09 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation
17:48 Developing Competitive Nature in Golf
21:05 Focusing on Process Over Results in Golf
26:51 Letting Go of Bad Days
29:13 The Bad Lie: Rethinking Golf Instruction
31:08 Misconceptions in Golf Instruction for Older Players
34:26 Injury Prevention and Swing Mechanics
37:34 The Importance of Control Over Distance
39:53 Simplifying the Short Game
46:40 Strategies for Lowering Scores
50:44 Encouraging Greatness in Young Athletes
Links:
Todd Kolb
Twitter: https://x.com/usgolftv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usgolftv/
Book: The Bad Lie https://www.badliegolfbook.com/
Website: https://usgolftv.com/
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
Previous Episode

The Mind-Body Connection in Junior Golf: Insights from Jim Waldron
In this episode of The Golf Parent, I sit down with renowned golf coach Jim Waldron to uncover the secrets to mastering both the technical and mental sides of the game. Jim shares his holistic approach to golf instruction, emphasizing the vital connection between the mind and body. We explore how cultural conditioning shapes beliefs about performance, self-worth, and resilience—and how to break free from limiting mindsets.
Jim offers invaluable insights for parents, discussing how to support young athletes in building confidence while separating their self-worth from performance outcomes. He shares techniques for taming the mind, enhancing focus, and fostering a positive internal narrative, all of which are essential for success on and off the course.
Whether you're a parent navigating the challenges of junior golf or a player seeking to unlock your full potential, this episode delivers powerful strategies to build resilience, sharpen focus, and elevate performance.
Subscribe now for more expert tips on raising junior golf champions both on and off the course!
Chapters
00:00 The Holistic Approach to Golf Instruction
02:51 Cultural Conditioning and Belief Systems
06:01 Mind-Body Connection vs. Dualism
08:48 Parenting and Mental Resilience in Sports
12:01 Balancing Authority and Nurturing in Parenting
14:50 Separating Self-Worth from Performance
18:06 Unconditional Confidence and Its Importance
21:01 The Power of Positive Storytelling
23:56 Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
26:49 The Nature of Consciousness and Reality
36:09 The Nature of Psychological Reality
39:30 Taming the Mind: Techniques for Focus
43:48 Consciousness vs. Mind: Understanding the Difference
46:24 Focal Points in Golf: The Mental Game
57:51 Creating a Positive Mindset in Golf
01:05:23 Parenting and Supporting Young Golfers
Links:
Jim Waldron
Website - https://www.balancepointgolf.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa3zkcVp_gZ2Eq_-ElaLF8g
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/balancepointgolf/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/balancepointgolf/
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
Next Episode

Unlocking Golf Performance: The Psychology Behind the Game with Dr. Raymond Prior
Book:Golf Beneath the Surface
In this episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, I delve deep into the psychology of performance with Dr. Raymond Prior, a renowned expert in mental performance who has worked with Olympic Gold Medalists, Major Champions, and Grammy Award winners. Dr. Prior brings his expertise to the world of golf, sharing invaluable insights for parents of junior golfers looking to enhance their child's mental game.
We explore the science behind performance psychology, debunking common myths that may hinder a young golfer’s development. Dr. Prior discusses how a growth mindset can unlock a child’s potential, why praising effort over talent is essential, and how parents can support their children during times of poor performance. We also dive into the power of mindfulness, visualization, and the importance of playing freely to reduce anxiety and foster resilience.
This episode is a must-listen for any parent seeking to understand the mental side of golf and how to help their child thrive both on and off the course. Whether your child is struggling with performance anxiety or striving for greatness, Dr. Prior’s expert advice will guide you in nurturing a mindset that sets them up for long-term success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Golf Psychology and Performance
02:51 Debunking Myths in Golf Psychology
06:06 The Importance of a Growth Mindset
08:46 Constructive Praise and Feedback for Young Golfers
11:45 Handling Poor Performance in Young Athletes
14:53 The Role of Self-Talk and Visualization
17:45 Breathwork and Mindfulness in Golf Performance
23:49 Mental Strategies of Elite Golfers
27:09 The Importance of Playing Freely in Golf
30:06 Encouraging Children to Play Freely
32:53 Navigating Anxiety and Performance
37:12 The Role of Parental Support
45:29 Fostering Exploration and Resilience in Children
47:27 The Dangers of Allowing Children to Quit
Links:
Dr. Raymond Prior
Book:Golf Beneath the Surface
Podcast:https://gbtspodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/gbtspodcast?igsh=MWt1dThhbTVlaWk2OA==
Website: https://btsmindset.com/
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
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