The Competitive Edge - Building Resilient Golfers: Andrew Rice

11/16/24 • 42 min

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

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

Previous Episode

Technology and Junior Golf - Insights From Global Expert: James Leitz

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

Next Episode

Making Junior Golf Champions: Tony Ruggiero Reveals the Secrets to Turning Pro

Unlock the secrets to raising junior golf champions in this exclusive episode with Tony Ruggiero, one of the most trusted and respected voices in golf instruction. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or coach guiding a young golfer—or a parent of a multi-sport athlete with dreams of going pro—this video is packed with invaluable advice to help your child thrive on and off the course.

Tony dives deep into the challenges and rewards of junior golf development.

Key Takeaways:

How to nurture young talent while safeguarding their well-being.
Managing tournament pressure and fostering a winning mindset.
Finding the right golf coach and building a strong support system.
Why golf teaches essential life skills like responsibility, resilience, and self-discipline.

This conversation goes beyond swing mechanics and tournament prep—it’s about helping your child grow into a confident, self-aware individual. Tony offers actionable strategies for parents to support their child’s journey while empowering them to take ownership of their progress.

Whether your child is aiming for a college golf scholarship, junior tournament success, or simply to become their best self, this episode is your roadmap to success.

Subscribe now for more expert tips on raising junior golf champions, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Junior Golf

03:03 Offering Comprehensive Coaching for Junior Golfers

05:00 Managing Expectations and Providing Realistic Feedback

08:55 The Role of Parents in Junior Golf

15:19 The Importance of Overall Athletic Development

20:03 Avoiding Undue Pressure on Young Players

27:43 Choosing the Right Coach for Junior Golfers

30:28 The Impact of the Coach-Player Relationship

31:39 Life Skills and Mental Development

33:29 Qualities of Great Players