About this episode
In this inspiring episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, I chat with renowned PGA Master Golf Pro John Dunigan—a Golf Digest Top 30, Golf Magazine Top 100 teacher, and U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Master Kids Teacher—about what truly separates elite junior golfers from their peers. John emphasizes that becoming a successful golfer is about far more than talent—it's about developing resilient, courageous individuals who also excel on the course. John dives deep into the mental game, offering practical advice on how young golfers can face fears, manage pressure, and embrace nervousness as a positive sign of growth. He urges parents and coaches to shift their focus from achieving results to mastering the process, helping juniors build courage and resilience rather than fear of judgment or failure. We also discuss the dangers of over-professionalizing youth sports and how it can dampen the joy of playing golf. John encourages parents to create fun, pressure-free environments and highlights the importance of finding coaches who prioritize the whole player—mental, emotional, and physical development. John also shares exciting details about his upcoming Practice Coach app, aimed at making practice sessions more efficient, enjoyable, and effective for junior golfers. Key Takeaways: Elite junior golf is built on courage, work ethic, and resilience, not just talent. Nervousness is an ally, not an enemy; embrace it as part of growth. Focusing on the process, not goals, leads to sustained improvement. Parents and coaches should foster a fun, low-pressure environment. Effective coaching prioritizes holistic development. Innovative practice tools, like the Practice Coach app, enhance training. Sound Bites: "I'm trying to create a legion of golfers that goes out to play a tournament with a big fat smile on their face going, like, let's go get on the roller coaster." "It's not whether or not you have butterflies or not. It's whether or not you can get them flying in formation, harnessing the nerves." "Success is not an outcome. It's the way you approach playing, the process that you go through playing." "Everybody's putting the cart before the horse." "Goal setting is important, right? Well, I say burn your goals." "What can we do as parents to combat the professionalization of sports to help keep it fun?" Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and John Dunigan's Approach to Junior Golf 03:24 Teaching Courage and Overcoming Fear in Golf 05:26 Staying Focused and Putting in Your Best Effort in Golf 08:11 Dealing with Mental Farts and Bringing Focus Back to the Present 11:58 The Importance of a Fun and Non-Pressure Environment in Youth Golf 19:46 The Fear of Judgment and Pressure in Youth Sports 22:47 Balancing Fun and Competition in Junior Golf Tournaments 25:13 Life Lessons Learned from Golf 27:10 Combatting the Professionalization of Youth Sports 32:08 Finding a Coach Who Prioritizes Holistic Development 41:40 Improving Practice Sessions with the Practice Coach App John Dunigan Links: Website - https://www.johndunigangolf.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@JohnDunigan X - https://x.com/JohnDuniganGolf Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/john.dunigan/ The Golf Parent Links: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent X - https://x.com/thegolfparent Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent