Technology and Junior Golf - Insights From Global Expert: James Leitz
11/16/24 • 73 min
James Leitz, a renowned golf instructor and club fitter, shares his journey and insights into the impact of technology on the game of golf. He discusses how he discovered golf by accident and became passionate about improving his skills. Leitz emphasizes the importance of measuring and analyzing the golf swing to understand the impact on ball flight. He explains the four laws of golf: speed, path, face, and impact points, and how they determine the outcome of a shot. Leitz also highlights the challenges of changing mechanics and the need for conscious and competent practice to achieve unconscious competence. In this conversation, James Leitz shares his insights on golf and player development.
He emphasizes the importance of having a consistent impact point on the clubface for ball control and playing at a high level. Leitz believes that talent plays a significant role in achieving this consistency, but it can also be developed through practice and hand-eye coordination. He discusses the various talents and skills required to be a competitive golfer, including physical fitness, mental toughness, and strategic thinking. Leitz also offers advice to parents of junior golfers, emphasizing the importance of fun, support, and finding the right balance in their child's development.
Takeaways
Technology has revolutionized the game of golf, allowing for more precise measurement and analysis of the golf swing.
The four laws of golf - speed, path, face, and impact points - determine the outcome of a shot.
Changing mechanics requires conscious and competent practice to achieve unconscious competence.
Precision, lack of variance, and mental state are essential for success in golf. Having a consistent impact point on the clubface is crucial for ball control and playing at a high level in golf.
Talent plays a significant role in achieving a consistent impact point, but it can also be developed through practice and hand-eye coordination.
Being a competitive golfer requires a range of talents and skills, including physical fitness, mental toughness, and strategic thinking.
Parents of junior golfers should prioritize fun, support, and finding the right balance in their child's development.
Finding a good instructor who cares about the whole student is important for a golfer's development.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:42 The Impact of Technology on Golf
09:54 The Importance of Measurement and Analysis
17:01 The Four Laws of Golf
23:21 Changing Mechanics and Achieving Unconscious Competence
26:44 The Keys to Success in Golf
37:12 The Importance of a Consistent Impact Point
46:58 The Evolution of Golf with Equipment and Instruction
52:26 The Role of Talent in Golf
55:56 The Pitfalls of Being Too Careful
01:01:34 Advice for Parents of Junior Golfers
01:04:03 The Complexities of Golfer Development
01:09:10 The Importance of Finding a Good Instructor
Links
James Leitz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesleitz
Website: https://www.leitzgolf.com/
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
For more information check out www.thegolfparent.com
James Leitz, a renowned golf instructor and club fitter, shares his journey and insights into the impact of technology on the game of golf. He discusses how he discovered golf by accident and became passionate about improving his skills. Leitz emphasizes the importance of measuring and analyzing the golf swing to understand the impact on ball flight. He explains the four laws of golf: speed, path, face, and impact points, and how they determine the outcome of a shot. Leitz also highlights the challenges of changing mechanics and the need for conscious and competent practice to achieve unconscious competence. In this conversation, James Leitz shares his insights on golf and player development.
He emphasizes the importance of having a consistent impact point on the clubface for ball control and playing at a high level. Leitz believes that talent plays a significant role in achieving this consistency, but it can also be developed through practice and hand-eye coordination. He discusses the various talents and skills required to be a competitive golfer, including physical fitness, mental toughness, and strategic thinking. Leitz also offers advice to parents of junior golfers, emphasizing the importance of fun, support, and finding the right balance in their child's development.
Takeaways
Technology has revolutionized the game of golf, allowing for more precise measurement and analysis of the golf swing.
The four laws of golf - speed, path, face, and impact points - determine the outcome of a shot.
Changing mechanics requires conscious and competent practice to achieve unconscious competence.
Precision, lack of variance, and mental state are essential for success in golf. Having a consistent impact point on the clubface is crucial for ball control and playing at a high level in golf.
Talent plays a significant role in achieving a consistent impact point, but it can also be developed through practice and hand-eye coordination.
Being a competitive golfer requires a range of talents and skills, including physical fitness, mental toughness, and strategic thinking.
Parents of junior golfers should prioritize fun, support, and finding the right balance in their child's development.
Finding a good instructor who cares about the whole student is important for a golfer's development.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:42 The Impact of Technology on Golf
09:54 The Importance of Measurement and Analysis
17:01 The Four Laws of Golf
23:21 Changing Mechanics and Achieving Unconscious Competence
26:44 The Keys to Success in Golf
37:12 The Importance of a Consistent Impact Point
46:58 The Evolution of Golf with Equipment and Instruction
52:26 The Role of Talent in Golf
55:56 The Pitfalls of Being Too Careful
01:01:34 Advice for Parents of Junior Golfers
01:04:03 The Complexities of Golfer Development
01:09:10 The Importance of Finding a Good Instructor
Links
James Leitz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesleitz
Website: https://www.leitzgolf.com/
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
For more information check out www.thegolfparent.com
Previous Episode
Speed, Putting Drills and All Things Junior Golf: Joe Hallet and Maureen ‘Coach Mo’ Farrell
In this powerhouse episode of The Golf Parent, I welcome two of golf’s elite coaches: Joe Hallett, 2024 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year, and Maureen “Coach Mo” Farrell, acclaimed Director of Instruction at Oakwood Country Club. Joe, a PGA Master Professional, is a fixture on Golf Digest’s Top 50 and has coached legends like Inbee Park and Stacy Lewis, while Coach Mo has spent over 15 years molding talent and is named one of Golf Digest’s "Best Teachers in State" (2022-25), and "Best Young Teachers" (2021-25).
Together, Joe and Coach Mo dive into the game’s secrets, from maximizing distance and speed with the driver to mastering grip pressure and tempo. They break down the body-swing connection using the TPI model, giving parents and juniors practical tools to elevate their game. Their insights into the mental game emphasize the power of curiosity and creativity, with Joe sharing drills for putting mastery and Coach Mo showing how to balance tech with real-world play.
The episode wraps up with advice every parent needs: fostering resilience, encouraging multi-sport play, and building a positive attitude on and off the course. With wisdom from two of golf’s best, this episode is a must-listen for anyone supporting young golfers in their journey to greatness!
Takeaways Swing speed is a crucial factor in golf, and players with higher swing speeds have a competitive advantage. Equipment, technique, and physical training play significant roles in developing speed and distance. The TPI model provides valuable resources for parents and coaches to understand the body-swing connection and train juniors effectively. Firm grip pressure and a three-to-one tempo ratio are recommended for optimal performance. Having a growth mindset and focusing on the process rather than the outcome can lead to improvement in golf. Focus on speed control and aim to improve putting performance. Use drills like the four-foot box and leapfrog to work on speed control. Read greens by rolling balls towards the hole and observing the break. Find a balance between technology and on-course performance in golf instruction. Encourage juniors to play multiple sports to develop overall athleticism. Physical fitness is crucial for junior golfers. On-course play is essential for understanding lies, conditions, and strategy Simulators are useful for technique training during inclement weather Foster a positive attitude and focus on enjoyment in the game
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Evolution of Golf 01:08 The Importance of Swing Speed and Distance 03:02 The Role of Instructors and Technology in Golf 06:12 Developing Speed and Distance: Techniques and Training 08:59 Optimizing Performance: Grip Pressure and Tempo 12:29 The TPI Model: Understanding the Body-Swing Connection 19:14 The Role of Mindset and Process-Oriented Approach in Golf 22:26 Embracing a Growth Mindset and Exploration in Golf 24:03 Mastering Speed Control and Aim in Putting 28:27 Drills for Improving Speed Control 29:28 Reading Greens and Understanding Break 43:08 Balancing Technology and On-Course Performance in Golf Instruction 49:45 Introduction 50:17 Developing Well-Rounded Athletes: The Importance of Multiple Sports 53:11 The Role of Physical Fitness in Junior Golf 56:38 The Significance of On-Course Play and Understanding Lies 01:00:28 The Benefits and Limitations of Simulators 01:06:38 Supporting Junior Golfers: Advice for Parents 01:13:37 Fostering a Positive Attitude in Junior Golf 01:14:53 Conclusion Links:
Joe Hallet Website - https://www.joehallettgolf.com/ Maureen Farrell Website - https://www.coachmogolf.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachmogolf X - https://x.com/coachmogolf The Golf Parent Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent For more information check out www.thegolfparent.com
Next Episode
The Competitive Edge - Building Resilient Golfers: Andrew Rice
In today’s episode, I sit down with Andrew Rice, the ‘Every Day Golfer’s Coach,’ to discuss the secret sauce behind junior golf development. As the Director of Instruction at The Club at Savannah Harbor, a GolfPass instructor and one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Teachers in America, Andrew brings nearly 25 years of experience to the table. He’s coached golfers of all levels, and in this conversation, we explore what it takes to foster a winning mindset in young athletes.
We dive deep into the competitive side of golf—Andrew explains why competition is key to developing skills and how frequent tournaments help junior players elevate their game. He shares the unique aspects of South African golf culture and how role models can inspire young players to push harder and dream bigger. Andrew emphasizes the importance of falling in love with the game before anything else and gives us an inside look at how a well-rounded junior program focuses more on playing the game than chasing rankings.
This episode is packed with valuable insights on cultivating a competitive mindset, the role of the driver in modern golf, and how to develop young golfers into champions, both on and off the course. Don't miss this powerful conversation with one of the top golf instructors in the world!
Takeaways
South Africa produces great golfers due to a love for sport and the presence of role models like Gary Player and Ernie Els.
Role models inspire young players and create a desire to emulate their success.
An effective junior golf program should prioritize frequent tournaments, minimal parental involvement, and a focus on playing the game rather than rankings.
Cultivating a love for the game is crucial for long-term success in golf.
The driver is a crucial club in the modern game, and hitting the ball well and far is more important than putting and short game skills.
Competition and a competitive mindset are essential for success in golf.
Parents should focus on creating great human beings rather than solely focusing on golf success.
Chapters
00:00 The Success of South African Golfers
04:18 The Impact of Role Models
10:33 The Elements of an Effective Junior Golf Program
16:03 Cultivating a Love for the Game
21:45 The Importance of the Driver
28:00 Competition and a Competitive Mindset
37:34 Creating Great Human Beings
Links:
Andrew Rice
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrewricegolf
Website - https://www.andrewricegolf.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/andrewricegolf/
The Golf Parent
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent
For more information check out www.thegolfparent.com
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