Focus: Helping Your Junior Golfer Stay in the Present

Written By Alesha Nicole Corey

One shot at a time. One breath at a time. One moment at a time.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A missed putt is still on their mind. Another player just hit a beautiful drive. Someone mentions the score, and suddenly your junior golfer is thinking about what they need to shoot instead of the shot they are about to hit.

Their feet are standing over the ball, but their thoughts are somewhere else.

Golf gives our kids plenty of opportunities to lose focus—and just as many opportunities to practice finding it again.

Focus is the ability to quiet distractions and give your full attention to the shot in front of you. That doesn’t mean every distracting thought disappears. It means learning how to come back when attention wanders.

The Only Shot They Can Play Is This One

Golfers cannot change the last shot or control what will happen three holes from now. They can choose how they approach the moment directly in front of them.

That sounds simple from the sidelines. It feels different when a child is disappointed, nervous, or eager to do well.

They may be thinking:

I can’t believe I missed that.

What if I hit it in the water?

Am I falling behind?

Is Mom disappointed?

Before we remind our kids to focus, it helps to remember how much may be competing for their attention.

“Focus!” gives them a direction. A familiar routine gives them something to do.

Give Their Attention Somewhere to Go

A simple pre-shot routine can offer a familiar starting point, especially when a round feels unpredictable.

Work with your golfer and their coach to find a routine that fits their age and game. It might include:

  • Standing behind the ball and choosing a target.

  • Taking one slow breath.

  • Choosing a short cue, such as “smooth swing.”

  • Stepping up and committing to the shot.

With a few repeatable steps, they have something to return to when their thoughts get busy.

Instead of trying to solve their entire round, they have one small task: prepare for this shot.

You can also practice that routine during a relaxed session at home. Pick a target, go through the same steps, and give each practice ball a purpose.

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Take Care of the Little Distractions

An uncomfortable outfit. A forgotten water bottle. A glove that no longer fits comfortably.

These little things can compete for a young golfer’s attention, too.

Before heading to the course, give your child a simple checklist: water, snacks, sun protection, and the equipment they need. Let them take part in getting ready so preparation becomes part of their routine.

If a glove is on your equipment checklist, you can explore BRUCE BOLT Golf Gloves and use code GMM15.

The goal is to arrive feeling prepared, with fewer things to sort out once the round begins.

Help Them Separate Preparation From Results

A golfer can make a thoughtful decision, follow their routine, and still hit a disappointing shot.

That can be difficult for kids to understand. If the ball didn’t go where they wanted, they may assume they did everything wrong.

We can help them notice the parts they handled well:

“You took your time choosing your target.”

“You came back to your routine after a tough hole.”

“You committed to the shot even though you felt nervous.”

Those observations give them something useful to repeat. They also remind our kids that their effort and attention matter beyond the number on the scorecard.

Make Room for a Reset

Sometimes the distraction is outside them: a noise, movement nearby, or another player’s conversation.

Sometimes it is inside: frustration, comparison, or the pressure to play perfectly.

A reset can be small. Step back when it is safe and appropriate. Take a breath. Find the target again.

A short phrase may help:

“Back to this shot.”

“Breathe. Pick a target. Commit.”

“Right here, right now.”

Let your golfer help choose the words. A reminder they like and understand is easier to return to than a speech delivered in a stressful moment.

Our Focus Matters, Too

As golf parents, we can get pulled into the future just as quickly as our kids.

We start calculating scores, thinking about standings, or wondering what a difficult hole means for the rest of the tournament.

Our child may notice the tension before we say a word.

Before offering a reminder, take your own breath. Ask yourself: Does my golfer need input right now, or a little space?

Agreeing before the round on whether they want reminders—and what kind—can help keep support from becoming another distraction. Always follow the event’s rules about advice and communication.

For tournament travel, it can also help to handle practical arrangements ahead of time so you aren’t sorting through logistics on the way to the first tee. If shipping your clubs fits your family’s plans, explore [Ship Sticks — insert affiliate link] as you prepare for your next golf trip.

Notice the Return

Your junior golfer’s attention will wander. They will remember a bad shot, worry about a difficult hole, or check what another player is doing.

The skill worth practicing is the return.

Coming back to the routine. Coming back to the target. Coming back to a decision they can make right now.

And between shots, give them room to enjoy being out there: a conversation, a beautiful view, a laugh with a playing partner. They can reconnect with their routine when it is time to play.

One shot at a time. One breath at a time. One moment at a time. 🎯⛳️

What helps your golfer come back to the present during a round? Share your favorite reminder in the comments.

Follow @golfmommindset for more conversations about supporting the child behind the golfer, and share this post with a golf family who could use it. 💚

Follow @golfmommindset for more conversations about supporting the child behind the golfer, and share this post with a golf family who could use it. 💚

Written by Alesha Nicole - Golf Mom Mindset

Golf Mom Recommendations

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→ Dominate The Greens Like Never Before with PUTTAIM

→ Shop BRUCE BOLT Junior Golf Gloves‍ ‍Use code GMM15 for 15% off eligible purchases.

→ Explore Ship Sticks for Golf Travel‍ ‍Use GMM20 for 20% off your next golf club shipment.

Find junior-golf practice tools, tournament-day necessities, travel products and golf-family favorites in one place.

→ Shop My Complete Junior Golf Amazon Storefront‍ ‍

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→ One Stop Shop for ALL your golf needs at PGA Store

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, Golf Mom Mindset may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I genuinely believe may be helpful to golf families. ‍ ‍

Stay Connected

For more honest conversations and practical resources about raising a junior golfer:

Alesha Nicole Corey https://aleshanicolecollection.com/
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Raising a Junior Golfer Without Asking Them to Stop Being a Kid