Scott Swainston- January Coach of the Month

To start off our 2012 year, we would like to Congratulate Scott Swainston on the recent honor of being named the January Coach of the Month. Scott is one of the Mental Coaches at the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy. Please read below to find more about Scott and how he helps our students at the Academy. 

Again, Congratulations Scott!!

Name: Scott Swainston          

Home Town: Lenexa, KS

Family: Engaged and getting married this summer to my fiancé Jenny Johnsson

Education: B.A. Psychology and Sociology from UMKC, M.S. Sport Psychology from Georgia Southern

How long have you been with the Hank Haney IJGA and what do you enjoy about being a part of the HHIJGA Coaching Staff? I have been at the Academy for 2 years.  I enjoy working with all of our coaches who are passionate about golf, and developing our student-athletes to be quality young men and women. 

What is your favorite part of the mental game to teach?  My favorite part of teaching mental training is helping people learn more about themselves and their performance.  The more you understand your tendencies, the easier they are to manage during practice and competition, to get the most you can out of yourself.

What is the most common mistake you see in junior players today with their mental preparation for tournaments? The thing I see the most is lack of quality, competitive practice before events.  The week(s) leading up to tournaments players should put themselves in pressurized, tournament like situations during every aspect of practice: putting, short game, range, and on course.  This is a great time to practice your game and to practice the mental skills you have been working on!

If you could give any advice to junior players just beginning the game of golf, what would it be? Enjoy it and have fun.  I’d give the same advice to anyone, no matter what sport, activity, or area of business they choose to enter. If you really enjoy what you do, you will want to work hard.  As we tell all of our students, the only way you will get to be an expert in your field is through 10,000 hours or 10 years of quality, deliberate practice, so make sure you enjoy what you are doing!

Who/What is your Favorite!?

….. PGA Golfer? Tom Watson

…. LPGA Golfer? Annika Sorenstam

….Golf Course you have played? Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, KS or Ventana Canyon in Tucson, Arizona

…. College Team? Mizzou Tigers

…. Professional Team? Everything Kansas City: Chiefs, Royals, Sporting

…. Food? Kansas City BBQ

….TV Show? How I Met Your Mother

…. Movie? Thomas Crown Affair

Who is your Prediction for the NFL Super Bowl? Packers over the Ravens 27 - 17

Dream 4-Some and where would you play? My Grandfather, John Wooden, and Bill Murray.  We would play at Augusta National.