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Parent’s Guide: Without Trust, All Else Fails

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

For as long as the game has been around, there has been an understanding that in order to get better at golf, one needs to spend time sharpening skills; both technical and mental. Because the game is so diverse, with so many moving parts and areas of focus to try and become proficient in, golfers learn pretty quickly that there must be a process in order to manage all that needs to be worked on.
Parents will often choose to bring on a PGA Coach for their junior golfer to help navigate the process of learning and improvement. Once this decision is made, a bond of Trust must be formed in order for the coach-student, student-coach and parent and coach relationships to work.
When a PGA Coach is brought into the picture, a parent and student will see this person as “one in which confidence is placed” which is part of the expanded definition of Trust. In addition, “An assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something” will be necessary for a coach to be effective in this newly formed relationship.
Parents should do their research on coaches before a decision is made on retaining their services. It is critical to find a coach that you can fully Trust. At the same time, it is critical for a coach to be able to Trust that their student will follow their lead and put in the required work necessary for good outcomes to be the result of them working together.
Finally, something often overlooked in terms of Trust, is this further expansion by Merriam-Webster on the word…“Dependence on something future or contingent : HOPE.” Because golf is so complex, and a process must be put in place to tackle that complexity, students and parents MUST learn to Trust the Process. 
Competent coaches lay things out in a way that helps ensure future successes and makes sure that success is sustainable over time. A student and parents’ patience and Trust are essential with this.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.

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