Stop Wasting Talent: Mental Game Secrets for Junior Golfers (w/ Ben Esposito)

💥 Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is sponsored by Puttview Books — trusted by the game’s best, including world #1 putting coach Phil Kenyon. With over 30,000 courses fully mapped, Putview’s yardage and green-reading books give your junior golfer a Tour-level edge. 📘 Sign up for their newsletter at www.puttviewbooks.com and get 20% off your first purchase. Junior golf success isn’t just about perfecting a swing—it’s about mastering the mental game. In this episode of The Golf Parent, Ryan sits down with mental performance coach Ben Esposito to talk through the hidden side of junior development. Ben shares how his own journey from high-level golfer to mindset coach led him to work with competitive juniors on breathing techniques, emotional regulation, and performance strategies. He explains how tracking stats, setting personal standards, and preparing mentally before every round can separate good players from great ones. Parents will hear how to better support their young athletes without adding pressure, why silence on the course is often a sign of growth, and how the short game acts as a critical confidence booster. This episode is full of actionable advice to help you understand what’s really happening between your child’s ears during competition. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Start working on your mental game earlier Set personal standards instead of comparing to others Tracking stats can show improvement and help with recruiting Make practice harder to simulate tournament pressure Breathing techniques help manage nerves during play Understand course strategy based on personal strengths Yardage books provide valuable information for decision making Self-awareness is key to long-term success A strong short game builds confidence Mental coaching significantly impacts performance ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Ben's Journey in Golf and Mental Coaching 02:57 – Advice for Young Golfers and Parents 05:59 – Tracking Progress and Stats for Improvement 08:42 – Managing Nerves and Mental Techniques 11:55 – Breathing Techniques and Mental Checklists 14:57 – Understanding Course Strategy and Decision Making 27:40 – Using Yardage and Green Books Effectively 38:45 – Final Thoughts on Mental Game and Short Game Safety Nets 🔗 Connect with Ben Esposito: 🌐 Website: https://inthegolfzone.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_inthegolfzone 🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/_InTheGolfZone 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegolfzone 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-esposito-a0706a20b/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheGolfZone 🔗 Connect with The Golf Parent: 🌐 Website: https://www.thegolfparent.com/ 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent⁠⁠ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent 🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/thegolfparent ⁠⁠🎧 All Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube