Autism and Golf Adventure. My Son's Taking a Break

[BeerPerHole]

I know there's a young lady here with autism who competes. She's very inspirational and probably has the coolest WITB photos I've ever seen. I'm interested in hearing from any other parents who are dealing with this disorder. My son competed last night and shot a huge score. He has decided to take a break, was reading my mind. It's been tough to watch. This kid has a swing that has become well-known around here. Something to see. But, he can't do the processing required to make his way through a round on a tough course. Won't listen to me about obvious setup errors. A break may do him well. Also, I need to get a pro who can communicate with him on a few things. Kid can't hit a fairway to save his life anymore. It's a humbling game that tests all of us. I've seen normal grown men melt down while playing this game - something I can laugh at now. Am curious if any parents or grandparents here have operated in this realm. He's 14 now and autism mixed with puberty is a hot mess.

 

[heavy_hitter]

> @BeerPerHole said:

> I know there's a young lady here with autism who competes. She's very inspirational and probably has the coolest WITB photos I've ever seen. I'm interested in hearing from any other parents who are dealing with this disorder. My son competed last night and shot a huge score. He has decided to take a break, was reading my mind. It's been tough to watch. This kid has a swing that has become well-known around here. Something to see. But, he can't do the processing required to make his way through a round on a tough course. Won't listen to me about obvious setup errors. A break may do him well. Also, I need to get a pro who can communicate with him on a few things. Kid can't hit a fairway to save his life anymore. It's a humbling game that tests all of us. I've seen normal grown men melt down while playing this game - something I can laugh at now. Am curious if any parents or grandparents here have operated in this realm. He's 14 now and autism mixed with puberty is a hot mess.

>

 

Hang in there. I think it is more puberty than anything else. My kid, while not autistic, is facing the same thing right now. Coming off an injury, coaching change, putting change, now starting a swing change, and it is a dumpster fire right now. Then the uncertainty of high school along with the hormones of adolescence make it a hot mess. He is playing in a tournament this weekend and if he breaks 85 I will be shocked.

 

Parents here really don't understand that golf pre-puberty and post puberty are two different games.

[BertGA]

> @heavy_hitter said:

>

> Parents here really don't understand that golf pre-puberty and post puberty are two different games.

 

I don’t agree with every assertion posted around here. Some of it is applicable only to certain athletes, situations, or regions of the country. I’ve made choices based on advice that I have regretted.

 

But this statement right here is one of the most important and true statements in this forum. I remind myself of this nearly every time I consider my daughter’s foray into golf. It has changed how I act around her, as well as my immediate expectations. We are both happier for that.

 

[heavy_hitter]

> @BertGA said:

> > @heavy_hitter said:

> >

> > Parents here really don't understand that golf pre-puberty and post puberty are two different games.

>

> I don’t agree with every assertion posted around here. Some of it is applicable only to certain athletes, situations, or regions of the country. I’ve made choices based on advice that I have regretted.

>

> But this statement right here is one of the most important and true statements in this forum. I remind myself of this nearly every time I consider my daughter’s foray into golf. It has changed how I act around her, as well as my immediate expectations. We are both happier for that.

>

 

It is a tough pill to swallow, but it is reality. Hormones don't only effect the body, they effect the mind as well. I have said, and get heat about it, that what a kid does at 7 or 8 makes no difference. It is what they do after they go through puberty.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

> @heavy_hitter said:

> > @BertGA said:

> > > @heavy_hitter said:

> > >

> > > Parents here really don't understand that golf pre-puberty and post puberty are two different games.

> >

> > I don’t agree with every assertion posted around here. Some of it is applicable only to certain athletes, situations, or regions of the country. I’ve made choices based on advice that I have regretted.

> >

> > But this statement right here is one of the most important and true statements in this forum. I remind myself of this nearly every time I consider my daughter’s foray into golf. It has changed how I act around her, as well as my immediate expectations. We are both happier for that.

> >

>

> It is a tough pill to swallow, but it is reality. Hormones don't only effect the body, they effect the mind as well. I have said, and get heat about it, that what a kid does at 7 or 8 makes no difference. It is what they do after they go through puberty.

 

Can I get an Amen!

 

I was going to ask about this in the "worlds forum". Do you see kids that are world beaters at 10 yo just flame out after puberty and high school.

Coming from the baseball world a few years back. Kids that were the next Mike Trout on the 11U travel team couldn't even make the JV team in high school now.

[heavy_hitter]

> @TripleBogeysrbetter said:

> > @heavy_hitter said:

> > > @BertGA said:

> > > > @heavy_hitter said:

> > > >

> > > > Parents here really don't understand that golf pre-puberty and post puberty are two different games.

> > >

> > > I don’t agree with every assertion posted around here. Some of it is applicable only to certain athletes, situations, or regions of the country. I’ve made choices based on advice that I have regretted.

> > >

> > > But this statement right here is one of the most important and true statements in this forum. I remind myself of this nearly every time I consider my daughter’s foray into golf. It has changed how I act around her, as well as my immediate expectations. We are both happier for that.

> > >

> >

> > It is a tough pill to swallow, but it is reality. Hormones don't only effect the body, they effect the mind as well. I have said, and get heat about it, that what a kid does at 7 or 8 makes no difference. It is what they do after they go through puberty.

>

> Can I get an Amen!

>

> I was going to ask about this in the "worlds forum". Do you see kids that are world beaters at 10 yo just flame out after puberty and high school.

> Coming from the baseball world a few years back. Kids that were the next Mike Trout on the 11U travel team couldn't even make the JV team in high school now.

 

Yes and No. I did some research that is posted in one of the threads. If I remember correctly, something like 70%??? of the kids that played in 12 year old world's go on to play some type of golf collegiality. The funny thing is, again if I remember correctly, the percentage was lower at the top than the middle and bottom of the kids that went on to play at the college level.

 

Leezer would be better to remember that thread and to pull it up. I know he is reading this right now. He is quite a guy.

[leezer99]

> @heavy_hitter said:

> > @TripleBogeysrbetter said:

> > > @heavy_hitter said:

> > > > @BertGA said:

> > > > > @heavy_hitter said:

> > > > >

> > > > > Parents here really don't understand that golf pre-puberty and post puberty are two different games.

> > > >

> > > > I don’t agree with every assertion posted around here. Some of it is applicable only to certain athletes, situations, or regions of the country. I’ve made choices based on advice that I have regretted.

> > > >

> > > > But this statement right here is one of the most important and true statements in this forum. I remind myself of this nearly every time I consider my daughter’s foray into golf. It has changed how I act around her, as well as my immediate expectations. We are both happier for that.

> > > >

> > >

> > > It is a tough pill to swallow, but it is reality. Hormones don't only effect the body, they effect the mind as well. I have said, and get heat about it, that what a kid does at 7 or 8 makes no difference. It is what they do after they go through puberty.

> >

> > Can I get an Amen!

> >

> > I was going to ask about this in the "worlds forum". Do you see kids that are world beaters at 10 yo just flame out after puberty and high school.

> > Coming from the baseball world a few years back. Kids that were the next Mike Trout on the 11U travel team couldn't even make the JV team in high school now.

>

> Yes and No. I did some research that is posted in one of the threads. If I remember correctly, something like 70%??? of the kids that played in 12 year old world's go on to play some type of golf collegiality. The funny thing is, again if I remember correctly, the percentage was lower at the top than the middle and bottom of the kids that went on to play at the college level.

>

> Leezer would be better to remember that thread and to pull it up. I know he is reading this right now. He is quite a guy.

 

Sorry, I was out with the kid today. I remember the thread and something about Justin Thomas coming in top 10 and Daniel Berger being much lower. There was a surprising amount of top players from the boys 12 that never did anything other than play some college golf but more kids came from the middle of the pack to play higher D1 golf. The only semblance of future success comes from the 15-18 groups of large multi day events like IMG, AJGA and some FCG (in my limited experience). Even then the winners aren't always the household names we have today on the PGA Tour. In 2008 Justin Thomas played the 15-18 IMG Worlds and missed the cut. In 2009 the leaderboard was stacked with Emiliano Grillo (winner), Grayson Murray and Bryson.

 

 

 

[CTgolf]

I don’t disagree that puberty can really change a kid physically (obviously) as well as mentally.

 

I just don’t think the change is always dramatic for every kid. Some don’t have huge growth spurts in short periods or big swings in attitude, temperament and outlook.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

> @CTgolf said:

> I don’t disagree that puberty can really change a kid physically (obviously) as well as mentally.

>

> I just don’t think the change is always dramatic for every kid. Some don’t have huge growth spurts in short periods or big swings in attitude, temperament and outlook.

 

Two things I would worry about the most post puberty. "attitude and temperament"

[tiger1873]

> @CTgolf said:

> I don’t disagree that puberty can really change a kid physically (obviously) as well as mentally.

>

> I just don’t think the change is always dramatic for every kid. Some don’t have huge growth spurts in short periods or big swings in attitude, temperament and outlook.

 

Puberty really messes with a kids golf game . I think boys have it worse but it also bad for girls as well. All the hormones and the fact that strength changes a lot it is a huge factor.

 

If a kid doesn't have a growth spurt he is not going win in sports that is especially true for a boy.

[kekoa]

Not to threadjack, but we had a kid with tourettes on our PGA Junior league team. Really neat kid and can flat out pound the ball. He is 12 yrs old right now and not sure if he went through puberty yet or not. Anyhow, a few of the kids on our team didn't want to be his partner for some of the obvious reasons. My son was paired up with him for 3 days of sectionals and they had a great time together. One thing I really noticed the kid would get very easily set off by his parents. If they left him alone he did great.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

One thing I really noticed the kid would get very easily set off by his parents. If they left him alone he did great.

 

I understand what you mean. Some parents with their kids create a toxic environment. No matter the situation.

We've had anything from club to food throwers.

 

 

[BeerPerHole]

We're dealing with some substantial health issues with the boy now. Golf has taken a lower spot on the priority list. I think we'll get through it, though.

[heavy_hitter]

> @BeerPerHole said:

> We're dealing with some substantial health issues with the boy now. Golf has taken a lower spot on the priority list. I think we'll get through it, though.

 

Good luck. Will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[Petethreeput]

@BeerPerHole

I msg'd you, it wasn't suitable for the board.