Different Strokes for Different Folks

Episode 39: Kendra Schadler (Youth Golf Mom)

In this episode, we sit down with Kendra Schadler, mom of Kentucky’s top-ranked 9-year-old golfer, to dive into the highs, lows, and hidden costs of raising a young athlete in an expensive sport.

🔹 The Financial Toll of Youth Golf – From ever-changing equipment to specialized coaches, golf can be one of the priciest youth sports. We break down the true cost of keeping a young golfer competitive.

🔹 The Coaching Dilemma – Swing coaches, short-game specialists, mental performance trainers—the list goes on. Golf is a complicated sport!

🔹 Keeping It Fun – With golf’s high mental demands, youth coaches emphasize the importance of making the game enjoyable to prevent burnout.

🔹 The Mental Challenge of Individual Sports – Unlike team sports, young golfers face the pressure of competing alone. Kendra shares why she encourages her son to play team sports alongside golf to help balance the mental load.

🔹 The Social Media Factor – How do parents navigate their child’s presence online? We discuss the opportunities (like sponsorships and networking) versus the risks.

🔹 Balancing Multiple Sports – When a young athlete excels early, it can be tough to keep them engaged in multiple sports. How do parents manage success without leading to burnout?

🔹 ADHD & Sports as an Outlet – Kendra opens up about how athletics, especially golf, have been a positive space for her son.

🔹 Parenting & Coaching Balance – The struggle of pushing kids to be their best without crossing the line into over-coaching.

And of course… MORE HOT TAKES!