Long-Term Player Development

For Golf
The Canadian Experience

Greg Wells, Ph.D.

October 2010
Prepared by: Glenda Last Name
What is Long Term Athlete Development?

•  Optimal training, competition

and recovery programming
with relation to biological
development and maturation

•  Inclusive - equal opportunity

for recreation and competition

•  Athlete centered, coach driven

and administration, sport
science and sponsor supported
Fundamentals
Can’t catch? Won’t play:
Age Relativity

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Age Relativity

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Tiger Woods at 2

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The Outlier: Michelle Wie

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10/7/10
Youth vs. Adult environment
 Active start
FUNdamentals
•  The seven Learning to train
stages of Training to
Long Term train
Athlete Training to
Development compete
Training to win
Active for life
Development Stages

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Peak Height Velocity

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Early vs. Late Specialization

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Windows of Opportunity – Motor Learning
Boys & late developers are offset to the right

Trainability: L = low; M = moderate; H = high

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Windows of Opportunity – Physical Abilities
Boys & late developers are offset to the right

Trainability: L = low; M = moderate; H = high

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 7 Physical Proficiencies for Golf

•  Balance
•  Flexibility
•  Posture
•  Core Strength and Stability
•  Strength and Power
•  Cardiovascular Endurance
•  Performance Skills (nutrition, lifestyle,
environmental factors)

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7 Physical Proficiencies – Development Stages

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SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR RATIO OF GOLF-SPECIFIC
SKILL DEVELOPMENT / PHYSICAL TRAINING
(% = overall bias of training time/resources)
SKILL
80% PHYSICAL

60% 60% 60% 60%

50% 50%

40% 40% 40% 40%

20%

LEARN TRAIN LEARN TO TRAIN TO TRAIN

TO PLAY TO PLAY COMPETE COMPETE TO EXCEL EXCEL

M 9-12 M 12-16 M 16-18 M 18-23+ M 23-29 M 23+

F 8-11 F 11-15 F 15-17 F 17-23+ F 23-28 F 23+
 Resources

•  www.ltad.ca

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 X

•  X

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Golf Canada Long Term Player Development Model

•  www.rcga.org > Industry > Long Term Player Devt

Please click here to download complete LTPD Guide (2.13 MB)

Please click here to download complete LTPD Brochure (1 MB)

Greg Wells, Ph.D.

greg.wells@utoronto.ca
www.drgregwells.com
October 7, 2010