Junior Coaching: Distance Control

Junior coaching in golf can raise many questions. What’s the most effective way to get the best out of your kids, and how can we keep them interested in the great game of golf?

Well Andrew Simmonds and Phillip Akers from The Belfry have it all figured out, with their junior coaching programmes.

In this video, Andrew and Phil discuss distance control drills with the Pro down at the Shack.

Distance control game

Stations – This putting game is designed to help your child to develop speed control on the greens whilst having a competitive element to it.

Set up a target area of string and have different distances that they can progress onto if they get a ball in their area. This game will help to improve their lag putting skills which often children lack.

You can make the game easier or harder by giving your child a bigger/smaller area to aim for, equally you can start them closer/further away from the target area.

If your child is struggling to get the correct speed you may wish to question them about what the length of the swing does to how far the ball travells and which part of the club they need to strike.

About… Andrew and Phil

Andrew Simmonds is a PGA Professional with over 10 years of coaching experience. Andrew taught at The Darren Clarke Golf School in Northern Ireland and then went on to complete the Advanced Certificate in Golf Coaching at the University of Birmingham, specialising in research of participation/drop rates in youth sport.

Andrew now consults with other PGA Professionals on how to run effective golf coaching programmes.

Phillip Akers is a Senior PGA National Academy Coach & Director of Junior Golf at The Belfry. Phillip specialises in Junior Development and coaches some of the finest junior golfers in the U.K.