Engendering an Environment for the Optimal Development of Golfers

Talent development in any sport is a journey through environments, and successful talent development is a journey through good environments that support athletes’ striving for excellence while maintaining a high level of mental health and joy of what they do. In this chapter, the authors direct attention to specific features of sport environments that engender a good climate for optimal development in golf. The holistic ecological approach has proposed a shift in research attention from individual athletes to the broader developmental context or environment in which they develop. All parents want their children to develop their sporting skills while at the same time learning social skills, having friends, and not feeling too stressed. The themes presented in the chapter should encourage stakeholders who guide juniors on their developmental journeys, to understand the critical role they play within the environment, and to adopt a holistic and ecological lens, which acknowledges that an athlete must travel through several interconnected environments towards success.