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Parent’s Guide: Understanding the Process of Working with a PGA Coach

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

Finding the right PGA Coach is critical for the development of your young golfer. 
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Parent’s Guide: Start with a Realistic Assessment of Your Child’s Game
In the early stages of Active Start and FUNdamentals levels of ADM especially, you should look for more group programming. This programming should focus on Fun at the core but also, age-appropriate physical development.
You may find that in programming like this, a golf club or golf ball may not even be seen for a while…perhaps running, jumping or kicking would be activities you see. Do not worry, this is by design and in fact, if coaches running the program are doing things like this, you are likely in good hands. 
These coaches understand the proper process. Golf fundamentals are introduced in due time, when it makes sense based on ADM research.
The Five Key Principles of the American Development Model
  1. Universal access to create opportunity for all
  2. Developmentally appropriate activities that emphasize motor and foundational skills. Golfer dropout rate will be reduced when appropriate activity is introduced.
  3. Multi-sport and multi-activity participation
  4. Fun, engaging and progressively challenging atmosphere
  5. Quality coaching at all levels
With the framework of the above in mind, I wanted to focus on the fifth principal of ADM, Quality coaching at all levels.
“Quality coaches are critical to athlete development; therefore quality coaching education is imperative for athlete success at all levels. Quality coaching not only requires a youth coach to be qualified and highly knowledgeable about their sport, but also to understand effective communication, practice planning and athlete development. The very best coaches view themselves as lifelong learners and are always working toward improving themselves.” — Per Golf’s American Development Model playbook
The large majority of my private coaching students are 12 and older and fall in the Play to Improve level. Beyond that, I rely heavily on a process that I go through with my students. I have a very important initial screening process where I not only test skills to use as a baseline, but I also screen other areas including mental and emotional aspects as well as having real conversations on what the end goals of the students are. Both short and long term.
While I never want to create anything that remotely looks like pressure to them, I do try to keep them accountable for their own success. Not only will that help them long term, but it also helps them learn to be responsible for the outcomes they have as they work with me through the process of becoming better with their game.
At times, it may not look like your stereotypical picture of a coach with a student, beating golf balls until golf blisters form on the student’s hands and pushing the concept of winning all the time. I am in fact, as is the American Development Model, looking to move past that and look at a holistic approach to the student’s long-term development and success…as both a golfer and person.

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Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

After 16 remarkable years of nurturing young talent and fostering a love for golf through The Little Linksters Golf Academy, Brendon Elliott is excited to announce the transition of leadership to esteemed Coach Ricky Collado in 2025. As the baton is passed, Coach Ricky will take charge of all operations and become the primary point of contact for any Linksters-related inquiries. As Brendon steps into a new chapter, the focus will shift to launching and growing BE A GOLFER, a new academy dedicated to competitive teenage golfers. This initiative will continue both in-person and remote coaching, harnessing years of expertise to nurture the next generation of golfing talent. Further expanding horizons, Brendon will also dedicate time to One More Roll Golf Media. This venture aims to collaborate with various golf media outlets and businesses, delivering high-quality written, video, and voice content. Despite these new ventures, Brendon will remain closely connected with Little Linksters. A commitment to collaboration with Coach Ricky will continue, particularly with projects like the PGA Junior League, ensuring a lasting impact and smooth transition. “I am thrilled about the future of Little Linksters under Coach Ricky Collado’s leadership. This transition marks a change and an exciting new direction for me and the academy. I look forward to contributing my efforts towards developing competitive young golfers and advancing in the golf media landscape.” ~ Brendon R. Elliott, PGA More About Coach Brendon... Brendon Elliott is a distinguished PGA Professional who has received over 25 prestigious industry awards recognizing his contributions and influence in youth golf, most notably, the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. With numerous appearances on the Golf Channel and local news outlets in Florida, Brendon has established himself as a respected educator and influencer in the golf industry. Renowned for his expertise in all aspects of golf, he is a sought-after speaker at golfing events and panels. In the past three years, Brendon has expanded into media, writing for esteemed outlets such as PGA.com, PGA Magazine, Golf.com, GolfWRX.com, RG.org, and many others. Elliott is also part of the “Quiet Please Golf Podcast” crew and hosts a livestream show on the Golf Live App called “Monday Evening Tee Time.” Brendon’s dedication to advancing the sport has made a significant impact on the golf community.

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