Show Notes
In this episode of The Golf Parent, Ryan Adams sits down with legendary coach Mike Schy, the man who guided Bryson DeChambeau through his junior career and helped bring the groundbreaking Avoda golf club to life. Mike pulls back the curtain on the science of equipment innovation, from curved clubfaces to one-length shafts, and explains why custom fitting is non-negotiable for serious golfers. But this conversation is about much more than gear. Mike reveals the mindset shifts junior golfers need most, why curiosity and experimentation fuel progress, and how positive language changes confidence. He shares his no-nonsense perspective on what golf parents should (and shouldn’t) do, emphasizing that the parent’s role is to support, not coach. Whether you’re fascinated by golf’s future or looking for the best way to help your junior golfer thrive, this episode is full of lessons from one of the game’s most respected minds.
🔑 Key Takeaways: -Avoda was built specifically for Bryson DeChambeau -Curved clubfaces could redefine the future of golf -One-length shafts are gaining momentum among players -Custom fitting is the fastest way to improve performance -Non-conforming clubs teach important lessons about the game -Work ethic & curiosity drive long-term junior golf success -Positive language changes confidence & self-belief instantly -Parents should support, not coach, during competition-Enjoyment of the game is the key to lasting success
⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Technical Challenges 05:13 History of Golf Club Design 12:21 Understanding Non-Conforming Clubs 20:55 Curiosity and Experimentation in Golf 26:19 Parent-Child Dynamics in Junior Golf 31:35 The Ideal Golf Parent 38:51 Player Preferences in Golf Training 45:52 The Golfing Machine Framework 52:51 Positive Evaluations and Learning 01:00:46 Becoming the Casino: Strategic Golf Decisions
💥 Sponsor Shoutout:This episode is sponsored by IJGA, the world’s premier junior golf academy trusted by families who want to unlock their golfer’s full potential.
🔗 Connect with Mike Schy: 📸 Instagram: @Mikeschygolf 🌐 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: Mikeschy.com
🔗 Connect with The Golf Parent: 🌐 Website: https://www.thegolfparent.com/ 📸 Instagram: / thegolfparent 📺 YouTube: / @thegolfparent 🎧 All Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
More from The Golf Parent
A private equity deal moved Jeff Isler and his family from Los Angeles to Dallas. It fell apart 6 months later. He did not want to go back, so he converted a garage and started a junior golf academy in a business he knew almost nothing about. That academy turned 20 last October. It is now an 8,500 square foot facility in Southlake, and Golf Digest named Jeff a Best Teacher in Texas for 2026-27.
Shaun Diachkoff is the founder of Fairway Performance is TPI certified in both fitness and power.
At 17, Megan Khang turned down a full ride to Wake Forest, skipped college entirely, and turned pro the week before the final stage of LPGA Q-school. She earned her full tour card on the first try. Now in her 11th season, she is an LPGA Tour winner, a US Solheim Cup player, and the first golfer of Hmong descent to compete on the LPGA Tour.
What separates junior golfers who thrive under pressure from those who fall apart when things go wrong? In this powerful episode of The Golf Parent, Ryan Addams sits down with renowned sports psychologist Dr. Bob Winters, also known as “The Confidence Doctor,” to explore the mental skills that shape confidence, resilience, and long term success in junior golf.
What does it really take to develop a successful junior golfer, and what are most parents getting wrong along the way? In this powerful episode of The Golf Parent, Bernie Najar, one of the most respected coaches in the game and the 2026 PGA National Teacher and Coach of the Year, shares the blueprint for long term player development.