On this episode of The Golf Parent, I sit down with the original "Golf Sherpa" and one of the most fascinating figures in the world of golf, Kevin Kirk. Kevin isn’t just any coach—he’s a 2019 PGA Coach of the Year, a deep thinker, a culture creator, and an all-around incredible human being whose wisdom has profoundly shaped my approach to coaching and training. We’re even teaming up on some exciting future projects that I can’t wait to share with you.

Kevin’s track record speaks for itself. He’s the driving force behind the success of elite players like Patrick Reed, Lexi Thompson, and many others on tour. But beyond his impressive resume, Kevin is known for his unique perspective on developing talent and the mental game. He believes that success hinges on hyper-intentionality—having a crystal-clear vision of goals and the discipline to achieve them. Kevin explains how he identifies promising junior golfers, what he looks for in an athlete’s mindset, and the traits that make someone truly stand out.

In our conversation, Kevin shares invaluable insights into the mental side of the game. From object meditation and controlled breathing techniques to building resilience and learning from failure, he discusses powerful tools that parents, coaches, and athletes can use to prepare for the national stage and beyond. We dive into navigating difficult personalities, cultivating a winning culture, and understanding the nuances of long-term athlete development. Kevin even shares why he encourages multi-sport engagement to build physical literacy and transferable skills.

Get ready to learn from one of the most interesting men in golf as we explore what it truly means to raise a champion, both on and off the course.

Don’t miss this one—it’s packed with insights that could change the way you think about the journey to greatness.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

01:27 What to Look for in Promising Junior Golfers

02:21 Hyper-intentionality and Clear Goals

03:21 The Role of Exceptional Traits

03:50 The Importance of Adversity and Resilience

07:08 The Significance of Culture in Golf

11:35 Focusing on Specific Outcomes

16:20 Crystallizing Possibilities and Visualization

19:57 Managing Energy and Staying Present

24:32 The Role of Eye Movement and Breathing

27:14 Object Meditation and Stillness

30:12 Coaching Difficult Personalities

32:40 Mindset and Mental Preparation

38:31 Pitfalls in the Transition to Professional

45:34 Developing Physical Literacy

51:36 The Benefits of Running

56:20 Parenting in Sports

Links:

Kevin Kirk

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kirk-ba56b45

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kevinkirkgolf

The Golf Parent

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent

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