How Golf Coaches Can Use Technology To Maximize Team Performance

By Armando Palomino

Let’s face it – coaching golf is tough. Whether you’re a high school or college coach, you are focused on teaching the game, trying maximizing each player’s potential, and driving to get the best performance out of your team.  I’m always asking myself:  

• How can I maximize my time and track my players’ progress?
• How do I challenge each and every player?
• How can I keep them motivated and always on top of their game?
• What’s the best way to communicate with players & parents both on & off the course?
• How do I select my traveling squad for our next match?

To focus your coaching efforts, technology can be a useful tool to stay on top of your players’ game and provide you with a wealth of information to prioritize your efforts. Since technology is already ingrained into your student’s (and their parent’s) lives, it’s surprisingly easy to implement into your coaching toolbox. As a coach and employee of 18Birdies, I’d love to share some ways a tool like 18Birdies can make your coaching job easier and help you succeed.   

Track your players

Create a private group for your roster of players and track the rounds they play. The 18Birdies app allows you to see each player’s round history and keep track of their progress as the season rolls along.  You can know right away how much work each player is putting into their game by the amount of rounds logged in. And for those players that don’t have access to a handicap, the app will automatically calculate one for them after five rounds. With self-assessments, you can dive deeper to see each player’s statistics and immediately know where they need your help to make the most of practice sessions.

Keep players motivated

During practice rounds, you can raise the stakes and competition with games & leaderboards, so your players always have something to play for. With a team leaderboard, every player knows their ranking in relation to their teammates at all times. During practice matches, a live leaderboard provides a true tournament experience, so they can see their ranking hole by hole to keep players focused. Maximize the entire team’s focus with games like Skins to foster healthy competition throughout the entire round. Not only will this prepare them for match days, but it can also teach them the importance of staying present in the game and not letting one individual hole ruin an entire round.  

Enhance communication

With a private group on 18Birdies, coaches and players can communicate with each other instead of using email or paper.  Parents can also be invited to this group to keep them informed and engaged. By keeping everyone connected, you’ll ultimately create camaraderie and teamwork.

Choose your squad

Lastly, as a coach, one of the hardest decisions we face is who is going to make your traveling squad for the next match. With the use of 18Birdies, a custom leaderboard eliminates the guessing game.  At any point in time, your players will be able to see exactly where they stack up, which motivates those players on the cut line.  When it comes time to decide who’s playing in the next match, simply look on your leaderboard.  

So give it a try, keep everyone in the game and let us know what you think.  We’d love to hear your feedback and continue to make improvements.

Armando has been in love with golf for over 25 years as student, player and coach at both the high school and collegiate level. With 18Birdies, he currently consults courses on how they can reimagine their golfers’ experience to improve profitability.

The 18Birdies app is now available for iPhone and Android devices. Click here for your free download.