How to Grow Your Junior Golf Coaching Business: Expert Tips from Jake Thurm

When it comes to building a successful junior coaching program, Jake Thurm, a V1 Coach, Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, and Midwest Director for the USA Junior National Golf Team, believes it’s all about engagement, personalization, and strong communication. Drawing from years of experience and a background in clinical psychology, Jake has developed a coaching style that’s not just about technique, but about creating the right environment for young athletes to thrive.

 

Make It Fun First

The number one priority in Jake’s approach? Make golf fun. Junior golfers are more likely to stick with the game when they’re having a good time. That means less rigid instruction early on and more energy around games, challenges, and team-based experiences. One standout example is Jake’s “Battle Golf” format – a weekly competition inspired by a Tiger Woods video game that encourages kids to compete in a dynamic, exciting environment.

 

Group by Skill, Not by Age

Jake’s junior program uses a five-tiered skill system: Future Stars, Division 2, Division 1, Pre-Elite, and Elite. This method ensures that each child is placed where they can grow, compete, and be challenged based on ability, not birthdate. It also helps avoid the frustration and disengagement that can come when a younger or less experienced golfer is grouped with more advanced players.

 

Coach the Parents Too

Parents play a pivotal role in their child’s golf journey, but their involvement needs to be managed carefully. Jake uses insights from his psychology background to guide parents on how to support their kids without adding pressure. The result is a healthier learning environment where juniors feel encouraged rather than overwhelmed.

 

Use Technology to Add Value

Ground pressure sensors have become a vital tool in Jake’s instruction. By helping players understand how they interact with the ground during the swing, coaches can improve movement patterns, increase power, and reduce injury risk. This kind of biomechanical feedback adds real, tangible value to each session and sets programs apart from others that rely only on traditional video or verbal feedback.

 

Rethink Traditional Practice Priorities

Instead of the classic focus on six irons and mid-irons, Jake advocates practicing with the clubs that matter most in real competition: the driver, wedges, and putter. This practice structure better prepares juniors for tournament play and helps develop the scoring tools they’ll need to succeed.

 

Fit the Equipment to the Player

Jake is a strong believer that juniors should never be told to “grow into” clubs. Ill-fitting equipment can lead to swing compensations and posture issues that can follow a player for years. Clubs should match a junior’s size, strength, and swing tendencies to foster better habits and avoid injury.

 

Build Trust with the “Three Tens”

To grow and retain students, Jake promotes the “Three Tens” philosophy:

• Trust in the instructor
• Confidence in the facility
• Belief in the product or program

When parents and juniors feel supported across all three areas, they’re more likely to stay committed and refer others.

 

Keep the Communication Going

Using tools like the V1 GOLF app, Jake ensures he’s always connected to students and parents. Regular messages, feedback, and content updates keep the relationship going between lessons and remind students they’re part of something bigger than just their weekly session.

Jake Thurm’s approach to junior coaching is a blueprint for how to build a thriving, modern, and athlete-first program. By blending fun, personalization, psychological insight, and technology like ground pressure sensors, coaches can create an environment that helps juniors fall in love with the game, and stick with it long term.

Looking to take your junior coaching to the next level? Start by embracing these strategies and see how the right mix of structure and play can grow your program.

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