It happens in a split second.
Your child misses a short putt—or hits a rough tee shot—and your shoulders tense. You let out a quiet sigh or glance away in frustration. Maybe you say nothing, thinking you're keeping calm.
But here’s the thing: They feel it.
At Operation 36, we work with thousands of junior golfers—and one truth we’ve seen time and again is this: Kids are incredibly attuned to their parents’ energy, especially during moments of pressure or failure. When you get nervous, they get nervous. When you’re frustrated, they start doubting themselves. When you focus on results, they feel like that’s all that matters.
You may not say a word—but your body language speaks volumes.
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. Because just like a good caddy can calm a player down with presence alone, a parent’s calm, confident energy can make all the difference in a junior golfer’s experience.
Here are a few things to remember next time you’re watching their next nine-hole event:
A relaxed smile. A thumbs up. Cheering effort over outcome. These small signals tell your child, I’m proud of you, no matter what.
You might want them to succeed so badly it hurts. But this is their story. Let them write it with joy, struggle, and pride—not pressure.
Whether they beat 36 or not, honor their bravery for showing up and trying. That’s where confidence is built.
You’re raising a resilient, self-aware human. Golf is just the training ground.
Operation 36 isn’t your traditional golf program. We flip the learning model upside down. Kids start on the course, learning to shoot 36 from shorter distances and progressing as they improve.
But beyond the curriculum, we care deeply about the environment we create—because that’s what keeps kids coming back. And parents are a huge part of that environment.
If we want kids to love the game, they need to feel supported, not stressed. Encouraged, not evaluated. That’s why we want to equip parents with tools to be a positive force in their child’s golf journey—on and off the course.
So the next time you’re at a match or walking the course, take a deep breath. Watch your body language. Be the calm in their storm. Because when they feel safe, seen, and supported—they don’t just play better…
They thrive.
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