M 9-11 / F 8-11

Learn to Golf is the beginning of a critical window to develop fine motor skills. During this phase, players have the best opportunity to learn and master fine motor skills that can be used in combination with other skills (i.e. balance and swinging the club at the same time). In most cases, what is learned and not learned during this stage could have a very significant effect on the level of play that is achieved in the later stages of a player’s development.

For more information please see Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development guide.

M 11-14 / F 11-13

The Introduction to Competition stage is a very significant period of development. Physiologically this is a stage when children go through significant rapid growth periods which will affect their coordination. The focus of this stage is to provide appropriate competitive experiences where winning and results are not the top priority. In this stage, individuals interested in the sport of golf should consider making it one of their top two sports with their other favorite sport(s) in opposite seasons (ie. golf in the spring and summer and another sport such as hockey, basketball, etc. in the late fall and winter). Establishing appropriate competitive environments where the competition is positioned as a learning experience and designed to encourage and nurture interested players is paramount.

For more information please see Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development guide.

M 14-17 / F 13-16

At the Learn to Compete stage of development, participants begin to be referred to as athletes. This is an important period for establishing a determined and resilient mindset able to withstand the successes and failures associated with competitive golf. This is also the period in which the junior athlete can begin to more accurately measure their skills against peers and adapt accordingly thorough more detailed annual planning provided by a qualified coach. The focus of this stage should be to assess the strengths and weaknesses of all the individual’s golf skills and establish a structured plan for continual improvement.

For more information please see Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development guide.

M 17-22 / F 16-19

The Train to Compete stage focuses on optimizing golf skills in relation to competitive expectations and benchmarks. Athletes should receive tailored annual plans that address their shortcomings as well as future expectations. A one-sport focus towards golf is recommended to achieve maximum results.

For more information please see Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development guide.

M 22+ / F 19+

The Compete to Win stage should focus on the athlete carrying out the finite details identified in the annual training/competition plan. The athlete should be competing in world class events and measuring their performance accordingly through the World Amateur Golf Rankings and or World Golf Rankings/Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Achieving competitive excellence at the highest level requires the full dedication of the athlete towards mastering every skill set of golf.

For more information please see Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development guide.