Golf's American Development Model
The American Development Model (ADM) is a concerted effort between the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and its National Governing Bodies of sport to apply long-term athlete development principles in a way that resonates with the culture of sport in the United States.
The ultimate goal is to create positive experiences for American sport participants at every level. The purpose of this document is to provide key influencers – including administrators and coaches – a roadmap for building and delivering programs that focus on the individual at each stage of development.
Led by the USOPC, golf’s ADM has vision, data and expertise that we can learn from and utilize as an industry. We have compiled recommendations on how this should be appropriately applied in our industry to maximize lifelong participation, reduce golfer burnout and drive business. The ADM provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum for the American golf industry to help more people have fun playing golf, develop a lifelong love of the game, and excel at golf.
There is strong support for an ADM at many levels.
WHY AN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL?#
Impact on All Sports
The USOPC and its National Governing Bodies understand the vital role sport plays in the lives of Americans. Participating in sports is an excellent form of exercise, a way to build lifelong relationships and a platform for achieving goals and realizing potential. Without positive sports experiences, we risk:
- Fewer opportunities and demand for sport programming
- Fewer opportunities to teach valuable life lessons through sports
- Fewer participants in the system to drive business and success for our industry
Impact on Golf
By creating early positive experiences for all participants, the American Development Model will keep more golfers engaged in our sport longer, with four outcomes:
- Grow both the general athlete population and the pool of elite athletes from which future LPGA and PGA Tour players, major champions and U.S. Olympians and Paralympians are selected
- Develop fundamental skills that transfer between sports
- Provide an appropriate avenue to fulfill an individual’s athletic and personal potential
- Create a generation that loves golf and physical activity, and transfers that passion and healthy lifestyle to the next generation
The 5 ADM Principles
Learn MoreGolf programs looking to take advantage of the scientific facts of the American Development Model should adhere to these five principles:
- Developmentally Appropriate Activities That Emphasize Motor and Foundational Skills
- Enhanced Entry to Create Opportunity for All
- Multi-Sport and Multi-Activity Participation
- Fun, Engaging and Progressively Challenging Atmosphere
- Quality Coaching at All Levels
Learn More
Stages of Golf's ADM#
The American Development Model is meant to explain a golfer’s advancement through a pathway. The pathway should be used to reference what key concepts participants should focus on as they develop and grow in their golf experience. GOLF’S ADM consists of seven stages designed to create a healthy sport experience and support advancement based on the participant’s physical, mental and emotional level, and potential for growth.