Junior Golf Development Model

Your junior’s golf development is no longer a mystery. A clear model, and guidelines to ensure your golfer has the best environment possible.

The Purpose

Parents and coaches should have a clear golf development model to know exactly where the junior is in their golf skill development and how to play a positive role every step of the way.

The challenge is, Junior golf development has always been a bit of a mystery. There are two goals of the Operation 36 Junior Golf Development Model:

First, we want juniors to play golf and sports for life which is why we support the Long-Term Athlete Development Guidelines. (See below)

Second, we want juniors to be in positive golf environments that can give them the programming necessary to help them achieve their golfing goals.

It is important that we do the RIGHT THINGS at the RIGHT TIME for juniors at every phase of their development.

How it Works

Golf Professionals are equipped with the Junior Golf Development Reporting features in their Op 36 Web Platform. They have the tools to guide your junior.

1. When juniors are ready, they can select a Track Goal.

Every new golfer starts in the Golf Exploratory Track. After some time in the sport, and only if they wish to, they can choose the track that they want to be on based on interest level.

2. Based on their skill and age, coaches can see actual Track.

First, by understanding the player’s age, we can recommend Athlete Development training guidelines. Second, the Skill Level of the player at their age will determine the actual golf development track they are on.

3. Coaches can recommend specific programs and training plans

Based on your juniors’ goals, your coach can see if they are on track. If a player is ahead of pace or on pace it will motivate the juniors to continue to do what they are doing, it is working. If they are behind pace, coaches can help guide programming plans to help.

Junior Golf Development Pathway

The Operation 36 JGDM categorizes juniors into different tracks based on their age, golf skill development, and engagement levels overtime.

Exploratory Track

Projected 30 + Handicap at Age 18

This track is designed to introduce the golfer and:

– Allow them to explore their interest in golf
– Develop a passion of participating with peers at the golf course
– Play their first 9 holes using Operation 36 Format (we recommend to consider keeping individual score starting at approximately age 7)

Social Track

Projected 20-29 Handicap at Age 18

This track identifies golfers who are on pace or prepared to:
– Play in Scramble Team Events and meet new friends in the game
– Continue to play in Operation 36 Events

Recreational Track

Projected 10-20 Handicap at Age 18

This track identifies golfers who are on pace or prepared to:
– Play 9 holes individually in Op 36 & normal formats
– Play in Scramble Team Events
– Participate in events like Drive, Chip and Putt

Competitor Track

Projected 1-10 Handicap at Age 18

This track identifies golfers who are on pace or prepared to:
– Play for Middle School and High School Teams
– Play in Local Junior Golf Tournaments
– Continue in Op 36 Events & PGA Junior League Teams
– Play at most Community Colleges and Colleges/Universities that are not DI-DIII

Collegiate Track

Projected 0 Handicap or better at Age 18

This track identifies golfers who are on pace or prepared to:
– Be recruited to play at a DI- DIII College Golf Programs
– Play in Regional and National Junior Golf Tournaments

Wouldn't it be nice to have an idea of where your junior golfer's skill level will be by the time they graduate high-school?

Principles of the Junior Golf Development Model

Player First Model

We put the athlete first. Our role as coaches and parents is to paint a vision of where golfers can go with the sport, but it is up to the junior to choose the track they want to take.

On-Course Golf Skill Benchmarking

The core of the model is calculated based on scores that are shot in formal 9 hole rounds using the Operation 36 Model. This standard allows us to accurately track skill development from day 1 of their journey!

Built on a LTAD Foundation

Our goal is that the juniors play sports for life. We support the Long-Term Athlete Development Guidelines and organizations that are advancing these efforts. This allows parents and coaches to be educated on doing the right thing at the right time for their junior golfer based on their age.

Data Driven Model

The benchmarks and golf model are not subjective. They are driven from data collected in a controlled environment to govern our model and algorithms. The data is fluid and adjusted based upon additional data received from players so that the model is as accurate as possible.