Welcome to The Opening Tee Shot

Hello my friends and thanks for joining me here. Last week I spent several days out West visiting with family, so it's good to be back home now and in a somewhat normal routine.

As a family we have quite a bit to look forward to with our son's upcoming golf commitments. Not only is he playing in an amateur event in early November, but on November 12th on National Signing Day, he will officially sign his commitment to play golf at the University of Georgia for next year. It's hard to believe we're prepping for this moment after all these years!

If your junior golfer is signing their commitment letter on Nov. 12th then don't forget to tag @juniorgolfplaybook and we will share it with our audience. 

-Sara and Chili

✔️ Fall checklist for junior golfers

With temps dropping and shorter daylight hours, getting in efficient, helpful practice sessions may feel more challenging versus our long summer days. However, keeping with a solid routine during these months can separate you as a committed junior golfer from the ones who can only hope to do well in their tournaments next year. 

When I thought about what all a junior golfer can do even when they're not able to get 18 holes in, it became apparent there's so much you can work on to keep your physical and mental game sharp.

• Indoor putting drills: You can find plenty of indoor putting drill examples, such as a simple game using a long ruler. You can "putt down the ruler" to make sure you stay on line, even if you're on the carpet. Of course a putting mat is also helpful if you have one. 
• Chip where you can: Use the carpet, a chipping mat, or outdoors if possible, and practice chipping to the edge of a wall or on the green. You can work on your 10 to 15 ft chips this way.
• Full swing: There are a couple of new places in town where you can practice full swings with a launch monitor, so finding a business like this where you live may be helpful. You can also use your own launch monitors and set up in your garage or other space (with enough ceiling height).
• Driving range: Keep your driving range sessions as efficient as possible with dedicated drills. For example, use the 9-box drill where you imagine 9 boxes and go low, mid, or high, depending on where you imagined the box. 
• Get on the golf course when possible: If the course is still open, go and chip around on a hole whenever you can. You can also play from the forward tees or change up 
• Speed training: Speed alignment sticks come in all shapes, sizes, and budgets and make a great training aid for in the garage or driveway.
• Working out: If age appropriate and with guidance, develop a workout routine you can do from home or a gym. You can focus on lower body and core one day, upper body, and balance and stability on other days.
• Stretching: Appropriate stretching is another vital part of building strength and mobility. Don't overlook this one, your golf game will thank you! 
• Keep in touch with your coach: Even if you're not able to go to golf lessons right now, you can still keep in touch with your golf coach or high school coach for help with drills or identifying goals you can work towards.
• Journaling: We love journals over here at Junior Golf Playbook. Use a journal to write down goals and help you stay focused. It's great for writing down frustrations, achievements, small wins, and looking ahead.
• Read books for motivation: You can find plenty of books for motivation, both golf-centric and for other sports. You never know when you might read something that "clicks" in an instant.
• Email college coaches: For high schoolers, this is a great time to send out emails to coaches to introduce yourself. Update them on your schedule, tell them about yourself, and invite them to follow you on your golf social media account. If you don't have a golf social media account, this is also a perfect time to set one up! 

🗞️ Junior golf in the news

• Meredith and Scottie Scheffler created a new junior golf tour and program in North Texas, in hopes of limiting financial barriers into junior golf. 
• What's going on in Wisconsin? These girls from Class of 2027 are making news for their commitments.
• If you play in a Future Champions Golf event, then you'll continue seeing Callaway Golf as the title sponsor, which renewed their sponsorship through 2026.
• Every junior golfer has their favorite golf YouTuber. Here's a fun look at how much Rick Shiels may be making just from his YouTube channel. What do you think?

Thank you to UP Consulting for your continued support as a sponsor and drop us a line if you're interested in affordable sponsorship opportunities with Junior Golf Playbook.

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