In this episode of The Golf Sit Down Podcast, we chat with Maggie Simons, Director of Instruction at Oregon Golf Club, about her incredible journey from a late start in junior golf to playing Division I at Wake Forest, competing professionally, and ultimately becoming one of the most respected coaches in the Pacific Northwest.

Maggie shares her insights on:

⛳ Why early specialization can hurt more than it helps

🏀 The value of multi-sport participation for juniors

📈 How to manage expectations through growth spurts and development

💡 Creating a fun, welcoming culture that retains golfers for life

🏆 Lessons from playing in an LPGA Tour event and how competition shapes players

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Coaching parents through the ups and downs of junior golf

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this episode will inspire you to focus on what truly matters—developing a lifelong love for the game.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who wants to grow the game and support the next generation of golfers.

Hosts: Ryan Dailey, PGA & Seth Thompson, PGA

Executive Producer: A.J. Reimann

Find The Golf Sit Down: https://linktr.ee/TheGolfSitDown

Where to find Maggie Simons

https://www.instagram.com/msimons21?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWswamRqZWN5YW03Zw==

Chapters

00:00 Investing in Quality Gear

00:32 Maggie's Journey in Golf

03:45 The Importance of Diverse Sports

06:50 Managing Growth and Expectations

09:45 Emotional Development in Golf

21:48 Mindset and Performance

25:06 Navigating Competition in Youth Golf

31:32 The Path to College Golf: Insights and Strategies

37:13 Finding Balance: Golf as a Passion, Not an Identity

40:22 Creating a Fun and Supportive Golf Environment

49:40 Reflections on Competition and Community Support

55:03 Embracing Technology and Future Aspirations

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