Ventura County Junior Golf Association 2008

Being a Golf Parent

Parental Do’s and Don’ts

DO:

Stay involved in a positive way

De-emphasize winning

Emphasize emotional development

Be supporting, interested and encouraging

Be sympathetic when your child loses

Forbid cheating and lack of sportsmanship

Discourage temperamental behavior and vulgarity

Make sure your child’s self-esteem is not on the line

Stress the lifetime value of golf as a sport

Look relaxed and comfortable on the course

DON'T:

Ø    Expect financial returns from your child’s interest

Ø    Put pressure on your child to win

Ø    Get too excited if your child does win

Ø    Get too excited if your child loses or plays poorly

Ø    Show negative emotion, fear or nervousness on the course

Ø    Say, “We’re playing today” or “We won.”

Ø    Be a coach

Ø    Take notes at practices or lessons

Ø    Use love to get your child to work harder

Ø    Equate your own self-worth with your child’s performance