Sean Casey On Why It Pays Off To Begin Golfing at an Early Age

By Carolyn Arbuckle
carolyn.arbuckle@cjga.com

Sean Casey aligned with the CJGA as its newest regional coach this year, and he brings with him a passion for the game, a desire to learn, and a commitment to helping others.

After becoming a Class ‘A’ member of the Canadian PGA, Sean joined the ClubLink Academy at Glen Abbey in 2001. He has since developed a large clientele of students, most of whom he instructs year round through his schools at PGA Village in Florida, as well as teaching indoors at The ClubLink Academy at Glen Abbey winter school. It was there that Casey worked many years with Sean Foley, the National Coach for the Canadian Junior Golf Association, and the 22nd most influential person in Canadian golf according to the National Post.

With his unique philosophy on golf, Sean Casey has been able to teach golfers of all skill levels, especially juniors who are just beginning. “Golf is not taught, it is learned,” explains Casey. “I look at both golf and life with the same philosophy.  Never stop learning and don't fear failure as it is an opportunity to move on smarter.” By learning to golf at an early age, Sean hopes that his students come out more confident in their decisions and with a sense of independence.

Casey admits that getting involved in anything at a young age can be very beneficial, since it is at this young age that kids develop their habits and tendencies. As a coach, he loves to work with kids to ensure that he is helping them develop good habits that will positively influence the rest of their golf careers.

“The greatest athletes of all time got started and developed their passion at a young age, like Tiger Woods and Wayne Gretzky.  They were fortunate to have parents who created an environment where they could grow and develop while having fun.”

Sean Casey shares his advices on how to get involved in golf at an early age, the benefits it brings, and the steps to take to begin your golf career.

Early Expectations

When entering golf, the first important step is to find good people to help and influence you in your game. “My father taught me the best he could, but he didn’t hesitate to sign me up for lessons with a golf professional,” he says. Having these positive influences will help you to manage you expectations early in the process. “The pros can make the game look easy and many beginners get discouraged when the game doesn’t come to them as easily as other sports.”

Balancing Act

You need to make sure you are learning while you are playing so that you don’t develop bad habits. It is important to balance playing golf with practicing. “But I also don’t like to see kids taking lessons and practicing without going out to play and enjoy the game!” Golf, just like most things in life, is all about balance.

Taking it to the Next Level

Kids should not wait or hesitate to take their game to the competitive level. There are many choices of developmental golf tours where kids can play with other beginner level kids in a safe environment where learning is the goal, including the CJGA Junior Linkster Tour. “On these tours, it is expected that the rules will be broken from time to time and the pace of play will be slower.” These tours are ideal for giving new junior golfers the chance to improve and play in a tournament environment.

CJGA Junior Linkster

The CJGA Junior Linkster Tour is one of the best developmental tours that a new golfer can join. “There are accommodations to assist the kids in their transition to tournament golf. Parents are allowed to caddie for their kids and golf clinics are offered before each event to help the kids learn proper fundamentals.” Also, the Linkster Mascot, Merv the Caddie, shows up to the clinics while help create a fun atmosphere.

Parents Play a Part

The role of parents is to encourage, support, and love their kids regardless of their performance. “I’ve heard stories about parents who were caddying for their kids and got so upset with their child that they quit and left the kid to carry their own clubs.” Parent’s need to remember that they are one of the most influential role models in their child’s life, and it is their responsibility not to set a poor example.

There is no age that is considered too young to begin playing golf. It is a game that can take many years to learn, and even more to master, but everyone has to start somewhere. By following these tips, you can help to minimize the frustration and maximize the results. All aspiring golfers should remember to never stop learning, be patient, and enjoy the process of trying to be a better golfer and a better person. “Never fear failure, as it is an opportunity to move on smarter and more prepared for the future.”