DoEarlyCommitmentsPromiseLaterSuccess? Popular websites like National Junior Golf Scoreboard (NJGS) and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) list college signees, those who have signed National Letters of Intent for scholarships. While these signees might emit a glamorous aura, scholarship players make up just a portion of all who play college golf. Consequently, the numbers for these players leave a poor an- chor for other players, their families and coaches. Those pondering a child’s early commitment, from junior golfers to parents and coaches, should consider the long-term impact of that decision. According to Dr. Fran Pirozzolo, a PhD and men- tal trainer for Northwestern University and Bishops Gate Golf Academy, the decision one makes about where he or she will go to college is a very complicated and important decision. In that sense, it’s one that most 18-year-old high school athletes are not fully prepared to make. “The phenomenon of even younger student-athletes, some only 11 or 12, participating in recruiting activities, is troubling from several perspectives,” says Pirozzolo. “Even the most mature and intellectually gifted young people cannot possibly be expected to always make good decisions for themselves, with or without the assistance of parents and other advisors.” Pirozzolo’s comments are based on his own research, which demonstrates that the development of exceptionally talented athletes follows no predictable formula. There has been no rec- ognized scientific data to support the myth that young prodigies have an innate gift that carries across many different realms of performance. What research does strongly support is the idea that superior athletic ability is more a product of the family than any other individual factor. Dr. David Grecic, the Chair of Sport at the University of Cen- tral Lancashire in the United Kingdom, agrees with many of Dr. Pirozzolo’s points, suggesting that “the focus on early specializa- tion in golf is a worrying development. Youngsters and parents alike are being given the impression that adult level skills are re- quired at younger and younger ages or they will be excluded from golf’s talent pathway.” Accord- ing to Grecic, this singular focus is rampant throughout high schools, colleges and even management companies that are now putting unwelcome and unmerited pressure on young golfers without understanding the true nature of the potential elite performer’s individual development route. Says Grecic, “Unless we have a crystal ball and can see into the future, many of the decisions made by recruiters to predict success are not helpful in supporting youngsters who love the game.” Brendan Ryan, a former college golf coach who writes extensively on junior and college golf, says, “Players, under the supervision of their parents and coaches, need to own the process and under- stand they are on a unique journey that is not about just checking boxes. It’s more about building their developmental assets, which will prepare them for a realistic, satisfying future.” The issue, according to Ryan, is that players and parents are too worried about aspects of the school that are not important. In- stead, his advice is: “The only thing young people need to consider is how the school can help them transform during their adolescent years into a healthy, happy adult.” The fact is, in the U.S., there are many amazing universities that combine the opportunity to earn a degree while playing compet- itive college golf. With so many exciting options, students should not be in a hurry, but should instead take the time to find a place where they will have the best opportunity to grow athletically, ac- ademically and socially. Steph Acosta is a free-lance writer and a former DI golfer and college golf coach. Brad Dalke,a member of the 2017 NCAA Championship golf team at the University of Oklahoma, committed to the school when he was 12 years old.Since that time, many more young men and women have made early commitments to collegesacross the country. As this has become more common, eminent sports scientists have begun exploring the phenomenon. BY STEPH ACOSTA December 2017 | 25 Subscribe today at juniorgolfmag.net