In this episode of The Golf Sit Down, hosts Ryan Dailey, Seth Thompson, and AJ Reimann welcome world-renowned coach David Orr.

With over 30 years of coaching experience and 16 years of putting research, David has worked with more than 85 Tour players — including Justin Rose, Suzanne Pettersen, Paul Casey, and multiple Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup players.

We dive deep into:

How juniors actually develop golf skills on the course, not the range The importance of reps, emotional regulation, and “fear loops” in golf Lessons David learned coaching college players, tour players, and juniors Why most kids’ putters are too heavy, too long, or just plain wrong The mental game difference between playing and performing Genetics, reps, and the hidden factors that shape golf development

This episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and golfers who want to understand the real process of long-term player development.

📢 Learn more about David Orr: 🔗 Flatstick Academy – [https://flatstickacademy.com/]

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Hosts: Ryan Dailey, PGA & Seth Thompson, PGA Executive Producer: A.J. Reimann Find The Golf Sit Down: https://linktr.ee/TheGolfSitDown

⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS

00:00 – Intro & Welcome David Orr 01:00 – Campbell Days & Mentorship in Golf Coaching 02:30 – Why Juniors Must Learn Golf on the Course, Not the Range 05:00 – No Gimmies in Operation 36: The Importance of Holing Out 06:20 – Four Environments of Learning (Mat, Practice Green, Course, Tournament) 08:30 – David’s Phases: Player → Coach → Putting Specialist 10:30 – Early Playing Career & Transition into Coaching 13:50 – Working with Justin Rose & Coaching on Tour 15:00 – Why Putting is an “Arranged Marriage” 17:00 – Trauma, Fear Loops & Mental Blocks in Putting 20:00 – Mechanics vs Skill: Why Stroke Fixes Aren’t Enough 22:00 – Parents, Pressure & Junior Golf Development 26:00 – Parenting Lessons from Sports & Soccer Coaching 28:30 – Fine Motor Coordination & Putter Fitting for Juniors 32:00 – Why Most Junior Putters Are Too Heavy or Too Long 35:00 – Aim, Roll, Stop → Face, Head, Shaft Fundamentals 38:00 – Why True Skills Must Travel (Different Grasses & Greens) 44:00 – Acclimating Quickly: Stories from Tour Practice Rounds 50:00 – Mental Skills: Emotional Regulation, Visualization & Recall 55:00 – Coaching vs Teaching: David’s Philosophy 1:01:00 – KISS Method: Fitting Junior Golf Putters 1:08:00 – When Kids Should Start Seeing a Putting Specialist 1:12:00 – Building Juniors “Different” from Everyone Else 1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts & Takeaways

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