Birdie Class

Lesson Plan # 3

  • Life Skill: Setting Goals that are Positive and Important to You andTurning Negatives into Positives
  • Golf Fundamental: Distance Response
  • Healthy Habit:
  • Vision – Vision reflects the ability to think about and plan for the future using intelligence and imagination.
  • Mind –Understanding how you think and being aware of your emotional response to different situations.
  • Homework: Birdie Book pages19-37

Warm Up: Golf Fitness Warm-Up Activity (odd numbered workout day – see separate “Golf Circuit Warm-Up” handout located on the private coach website) OR create a ladder or boxes with string and throw different balls to land or roll in the area. Also use a line and have the participants hop from one side to the other for cardio.

Opening Questions: After completing the golf fitness warm up above, coaches and participants will discuss the following questions:

  1. What are some goals you currently have set for yourself?
  2. What kind of attitude would it be important to have when setting your goals? (positive, optimistic, etc.)
  3. Have you ever considered writing your goals down?
  4. How do you decide on what your goals are going to be?
  5. What motivates you to achieve your goals?
  6. How do you know when you achieve a goal?

Discuss the 4 guidelines for setting a reachable goal.

  • The goal is Positive
  • Negative: I don’t want to miss this putt
  • Positive: I want to make a smooth stroke
  • Negative: I don’t want to get yelled at for not doing my homework
  • Positive: I want to remember to do my homework
  • The goal is Important to You
  • You will work harder to reach this goal
  • You will feel proud when you reach the goal
  • Ask yourself, “Am I going for this goal just because someone else wants me to?”
  • The goal is Specific
  • A goal that is specific says exactly what your goal is so you will be able to measure it and know when you have reached it.
  • Not specific: I want to hit the ball farther.
  • Specific: I want to add 10 yards of distance to my driver.
  • The goal is Under Your Control
  • Reaching a goal should depend on what you can and will do – not on luck or what somebody else does.
  • Not under your control: I want to get the best grade in the class on my math test.
  • Under your control: I want to study and be completely prepared when I take my math test.

Have participants use these guidelines to create a goal for today’s class.

Full Swing Activity: Phase Challenge

Objectives of Game: This game reveals strengths and weaknesses by requiring consecutive and repeatable targets with defined outcomes. The process of reaching the five phases becomes an individual and/or a competitive based challenge depending upon the participant’s intent.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: Complete five challenging phases of Target Golf by hitting shots at defined areas of full-swing shot-making.

Supplies: 35 range balls per participant: 5 shots for practice; 30 for the Challenge

Description of Set-Up: Each participant will need 35 range balls (using a set amount each time will allow for measuring progress/success against a standard—Personal Par). Five of the shots will be used for practice and warm-up. Each player will only hit 2 consecutive shots and then wait until it is their turn to hit again. The set-up can be adjusted to match the age and skill level of the participant. The plan is to have them hit various shots with an emphasis on the scoring clubs first and build a bit of nervous energy awaiting their turn.

How to Play: Hit until you get the number of golf balls stated at that target before moving on to the next target. Concentrate on POSITIVE SELF TALK DURING THIS EXERCISE!

Phase I: Hit 3 balls on a green (or designated target area) about 50 yards away.

Phase II: Hit 4 balls in a designated fairway area, about 100 yards away.

Phase III: 2 balls must at some point touch, roll through, or land on the target area about 125 yards away.

Phase IV: 2 balls must travel into or through a designated area or fairway lane about 150 yards away.

Phase V: 1 ball must hit a target approximately 25 yards away (an extra large range bucket works great).

***Coaches can give participants more range balls if necessary to complete their remaining phases. It’s okay if they don’t complete all 5 phases. This is a very difficult challenge!

Coach Notes: Talk with the participants about how the guidelines for setting goals (above) might be helpful in establishing a Pre-shot/Post-shot routine.

Here’s an example: You are on the golf course facing a difficult tee-shot that has trouble (a water hazard) down the left side of the fairway. First, pick a very SPECIFIC target. Instead of just thinking, “I want to hit the fairway,” say to yourself “I want to hit a low draw that starts at the right edge of the fairway and turns into the right center of the fairway (advanced players should be even more specific than this example).” Next, be POSITIVE in your body language and self-talk. Positive self-talk and body language promotes confidence which allows most athletes to perform at higher levels. Lastly, base your post-shot reaction on what was UNDERYOURCONTROL. If you feel as if you completed the previous two steps to the best of your ability and were completely committed to the shot, then you should be able to accept the result, regardless of the outcome. If you feel you could have done something better in the process better, think about it, make a mental note of what to change for next time, take a practice swing if necessary, and then forget about it. ***It’s equally as important to take positives away from good shots as it is from learning from mistakes. Encourage players to fill up their memory banks with great golf shots they have hit in the past.

Putting Activity: “Around the World”

Objectives of game: For PLAYers to learn the break of putts. PLAYers will have one practice round to learn the break. PLAYers will putt from each location around the hole, scoring one point for every putt they make.

Objectives of golf fundamental: To adjust the target line for breaking putts.

Supplies: Putters, golf balls, tees

Description of Set-up: Choose several holes with subtle breaks. Set up eight tees around each hole. Each tee should be approximately 5 feet from the hole. See diagram for visual.

How to Play: From 3-feet out, PLAYers will start at each tee and have one shot to make the putt. PLAYers scores one point if they make the putt. PLAYers will then move counter-clockwise to the next tee and putt from there. This continues until PLAYers have tried all eight locations “around the world.” The PLAYer with the most points wins the game.

Coach Notes: Encourage participants to establish a goal before beginning this activity. Remind participants of the 4 guidelines that were discussed at the beginning of class. While participants are putting, reinforce the importance of a consistent post-shot routine. Post-shot routines are not discussed very often, but they are equally as important as the pre-shot routine.

Bridge to Life: Use the following questions to help participants apply their “on-course” work to their “off-course” activities and experiences.

  1. Did you use any of the goal setting guidelines to help you with the activities today? If so, how were they helpful?
  2. How do you plan on using these techniques in school and at home?
  3. Do you think these techniques will benefit you in the future?

Lesson Plan Progression: Activities will follow this progression.

  • Warm up: Golf fitness
  • Discussion of 4 guidelines and homework
  • Activity: Phase Challenge
  • Activity: Around The World
  • Bridge to Life

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