Mastering the Mental Game: Kevin Kirk’s Blueprint for Junior Golf Success

On this episode of The Golf Parent, I sit down with the original "Golf Sherpa" and one of the most fascinating figures in the world of golf, Kevin Kirk. Kevin isn’t just any coach—he’s a 2019 PGA Coach of the Year, a deep thinker, a culture creator, and an all-around incredible human being whose wisdom has profoundly shaped my approach to coaching and training. We’re even teaming up on some exciting future projects that I can’t wait to share with you. Kevin’s track record speaks for itself. He’s the driving force behind the success of elite players like Patrick Reed, Lexi Thompson , and many others on tour. But beyond his impressive resume, Kevin is known for his unique perspective on developing talent and the mental game. He believes that success hinges on hyper-intentionality—having a crystal-clear vision of goals and the discipline to achieve them. Kevin explains how he identifies promising junior golfers, what he looks for in an athlete’s mindset, and the traits that make someone truly stand out. In our conversation, Kevin shares invaluable insights into the mental side of the game. From object meditation and controlled breathing techniques to building resilience and learning from failure, he discusses powerful tools that parents, coaches, and athletes can use to prepare for the national stage and beyond. We dive into navigating difficult personalities, cultivating a winning culture, and understanding the nuances of long-term athlete development. Kevin even shares why he encourages multi-sport engagement to build physical literacy and transferable skills. Get ready to learn from one of the most interesting men in golf as we explore what it truly means to raise a champion , both on and off the course. Don’t miss this one—it’s packed with insights that could change the way you think about the journey to greatness. Takeaways Success in golf requires hyper-intentionality—a clear picture of goals and intentions. Exceptional traits, in physical skills or character, set standout golfers apart. Facing and overcoming adversity builds resilience and the ability to manage failure. A supportive culture is crucial to achieve desired outcomes in golf. Techniques like object meditation and controlled breathing help golfers stay present and manage energy. Coaching difficult personalities involves being non-reactive, recognizing patterns, and finding teachable moments. Mental prep techniques, including hypnosis, can aid competition readiness. Young athletes should focus on long-term growth, not fast-tracking, to ease transitions from junior to professional levels. Multi-sport engagement builds physical literacy and transferable skills. Running supports physical fitness, tapping into our evolutionary strengths. Parents should support their child’s sports journey, teaching resilience and life skills along the way. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 01:27 What to Look for in Promising Junior Golfers 02:21 Hyper-intentionality and Clear Goals 03:21 The Role of Exceptional Traits 03:50 The Importance of Adversity and Resilience 07:08 The Significance of Culture in Golf 11:35 Focusing on Specific Outcomes 16:20 Crystallizing Possibilities and Visualization 19:57 Managing Energy and Staying Present 24:32 The Role of Eye Movement and Breathing 27:14 Object Meditation and Stillness 30:12 Coaching Difficult Personalities 32:40 Mindset and Mental Preparation 38:31 Pitfalls in the Transition to Professional 45:34 Developing Physical Literacy 51:36 The Benefits of Running 56:20 Parenting in Sports Links: Kevin Kirk Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kirk-ba56b45 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kevinkirkgolf 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