Competitive junior golf can be a tough world for both children and parents, as they navigate the highs and lows of tournament play. Evan Rothman, a golf enthusiast and writer, shares his experience of letting his son find his own way in the competitive junior golf world. Despite his love for golf and spending plenty of time with his son, Rothman decided to stop watching his son compete in tournaments. Instead, he allows his son to navigate the world of junior golf on his own, without the added pressure of performing in front of his parents.
When Ike, Rothman’s son, first started competing in golf, his parents would spectate while a neighbor friend caddied for him. However, it became apparent that their presence was not always helpful to Ike’s performance. Rothman recalls a particularly difficult start for Ike, with a very high score on his first hole and tears of shock in his eyes. This experience highlighted the fact that parents can’t always help their children on the golf course, and sometimes the pressure of being watched can be detrimental to a child’s performance.
Rothman and his wife realized that it was best for Ike’s golf game and enjoyment of the sport if they stepped back and let him compete on his own terms. Instead of watching Ike play, Rothman finds other ways to occupy his time during tournaments, such as visiting local museums or walking the golf course with other parents. He has found that most parents are understanding of his decision not to watch Ike play, and many are happy for the company during tournaments.
While Rothman sometimes feels a sense of moral superiority for sacrificing his desire to watch his son play, he also admits that it can be difficult at times. He envies the parent-child duos who seem to have a great relationship on the golf course, offering encouragement and support to each other. However, Rothman believes that his decision to step back has been beneficial for Ike’s development as an independent person who takes ownership of his decisions and actions.
As Rothman walks alongside other parents during tournaments, he observes the struggles and highs and lows that come with being a parent of a competitive junior golfer. He sympathizes with their desire for their children to succeed while also recognizing the challenges of maintaining perspective and equilibrium during tournament play. Despite not watching his son compete, Rothman still cares deeply about Ike’s success and development as a golfer and as a person.
