Michelle Wie - How NOT To Develop a Junior Golfer

Michelle Wie appeared on the golf scene 6 or 7 years ago as a teenage, can't miss phenom who could hit with the big boys on the PGA Tour. Because of her prodigious length off the tee and beautiful golf swing, her father consistently entered her in men's amateur events, and she even played in a couple of the PGA Tour events in Hawaii. Unfortunately, she never learned how to win, and since joining the LPGA Tour officially a couple years ago, she has only one victory.

This week at the U.S. Women's Open at Oakmont, Wie missed the cut with rounds of 82 and 76. Meanwhile, 15 year old prodigy, Alexis Thompson, who has dominated junior girls and women's amateur golf, stands in a tie for 6th, after firing the low round of the 3rd round yesterday.

Wie, who is now a student at Stanford, has clearly regressed as a golfer. She once fired a 68 in a PGA event in Hawaii, and now clearly has lost all confidence. While she has one of the beautiful swings in the women's game, she is inconsistent and wild. Her putting is mediocre.

The development of Tiger Woods as a golfer is the blueprint many will try to follow. Obviously, that has worked out, although his development as a person has not. Woods competed at all levels of the game until he dominated. While still a junior golfer, he did compete in a PGA event or two, because he qualified. But, he still played junior golf, then men's amateur golf and college golf, before taking his talents to the professional level. He dominated every level and learned how to win, and win often. He came to the PGA Tour with no fear.

Michelle Wie never even won the USGA Girls Junior Championship. One of her rivals, In-Bee Park won it once, was runner-up once and medalist twice. She has had far more success on the LPGA Tour than Wie. Alexis Thompson won the event in 2008. However, I believe Thompson is jumping the gun as well at 15. She, like Wie, is a great player at this age, but needs to win more. She never won the U.S. Women's Amateur, so why turn pro now?

It seems that women's golf is becoming more like women's tennis. They turn pro at a very young age and this can lead to early burn out. Let the kids grow up a bit and enjoy their youth a bit. What's the rush?

Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com

PA Junior Golf Championship

Congratulations to Jonathan Heydt of Moselem Springs, who withstood the 100 degree heat for two days and fired rounds of 69 and 70 on the vaunted Hershey East Course to win the PA Junior Golf Championship by 5 strokes.

I wanted to take the time to comment on this tournament because I noticed some very strong play, particularly on the first day. There were five scores of par or better in round one, and several one over par scores as well. Heydt was the only player to maintain form for in second round among the leaders.

What I did notice in this tournament is that most of the kids finishing in the top 20 play out of some of the best clubs in the state. In fact, four of the kids in the top five play at clubs that have held State Amateur and State Opens. Two of these kids play out of Merion and Oakmont. You just can't give a kid a better opportunity to develop his game.

However, I see a need for kids such as several of my students to have the opportunity to play at some of these facilities. In the current economic environment, many kids just don't have the opporunity to play or practice every day, much less play or practice at a U.S. Open caliber golf course. As a result, they find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.

I think it is time for a program to be developed to allow these kids more opportunity, so they are not at such a disadvantage when it comes to competing in these events. This is something I intend to work on over time, and if anyone else out there has some ideas, I welcome them.

Scott Cole

Harrisburg PA Junior Golf Programs

I am now taking new students for my competitive junior development program in Harrisburg and Southcentral PA. Instruction will be conducted at Liberty Forge Golf Club, Rich Valley Golf Club and my indoor studio in Mechanicsburg.

For junior golfers seeking to take their game to the next level, this program is essential! It starts with a full evaluation of the student's game, including iron play, tee shots, short game, bunker play and putting. Next, video analysis of the student's full swing will be conducted. An overall improvement plan will be developed for the student.

Contact Scott Cole for details!

www.scottcolegolf.com