Are You Coachable?

Do you find yourself struggling to implement instruction from coaches and mentors? Do you often question advice and strategies? Do you escalate when a coach tries to change your practice routines, tournament preparation or putting stroke? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions you might marinate on why. When you take a moment to really listen to what your coach/mentor/instructor is trying to say and hear their advice, you will then begin to grow on and off the course. There are many aspects of “being coachable.” However, I sincerely believe the strongest skillset of the best future student-athletes is their ability to listen to coaches and mentors so they can grow within their game and as people. Throughout my years of coaching, those student athletes who were the best listeners were usually the most mature and the most successful in all areas of their lives.

How can you become a coachable athlete?

1. Be a great listener - To your coaches, mentors, trainers, teammates, and other important people around you.

2. Be accountable - Take responsibility of your actions and your words.

3. Be in the present - Having self awareness is key. The strength shows maturity and intelligence. Those qualities alone will stand out to prospective coaches.

4. Be a leader on and off the course - Be the example that others inspire to be. Act with integrity with everything you do.

5. Be a great teammate - Put your teammates, coaches and the program ahead of yourself. The best leaders are selfless and prioritize the well-being and success of those around them.

6. Be on time - Your time is not more valuable than anyone else’s.

7. Be yourself - Allow yourself to be the same person you are at home, school and in public to show on the golf course. There is no reason why to change, because you’re playing the game of golf.

8. Be passionate and stay passionate through balance and self care - A good life produces good golf

9. Be grateful - You have an incredible opportunity in front of you as a collegiate athlete. Never take it for granted and make sure you thank those who have loved and supported you through this journey.

10. Be a champion - Stay positive and embrace adversity with an open heart and mind. Always keep your chin up regardless of your score or current situation. Champions believe in themselves on and off the golf course.

Being coachable encompasses all traits above. They are the keys to becoming an exceptional recruit worthy of top colleges and universities. You need to stay true to your morality, values and character base. Can you make the choice to do the right thing in each moment that presents itself to you?

Be passionate. Act, work, play and compete like a champion!

As I reflect upon the amazing student athletes I’ve had the privilege to coach, it’s easy to identify those who might have a better chance at being successful in life. It’s always been the student-athlete that was coachable on all levels.

Think about those teammates, teachers, coaches, parents or people within your world who you respect the most. Do they have coachable traits? My guess would be yes. If you don’t have respect for someone, how can you possibly have an authentic positive relationship with them? So now is the time to master your thoughts, words and actions to be your best. Set the goal to be the respected individual within your team, classroom, and your home.

You get one chance in this life to be our best. Make every effort to do our best and be our best! You’re writing and rewriting your story every day, what will your final chapter reflect?

Today, start being the golfer who walks off the 18th hole that everyone was thankful to have played with. Today, start being the person who leads by example that your teammates want to follow. Together, you can work to cultivate a positive, trusting team culture. Today, start acting like the person who will represent their program with honor and respect. Today, begin embracing the gratitude you have to be able to play the beautiful game of golf. Today, start being coachable to evolving into your best.

As always, Enjoy the walk!