In this episode, we cover…
(0:00): Brittany Atkinson shares how she transitioned from fast-pitch softball to becoming a passionate golfer and coach.
(1:55): She explains how golf gradually became her full-time focus after years of balancing multiple sports.
(2:50): Brittany discusses building her golf coaching business across the Salt Lake Valley and working with junior clinics.
(4:42): She breaks down the mental challenges golfers face and why confidence is the foundation of success on the course.
(6:33): Brittany explains how she helps young golfers handle pressure, disappointment, and competitive expectations.
(9:25): She walks through what a beginner golf lesson looks like, focusing on grip, stance, tempo, and contact.
(10:36): Brittany shares common reasons golfers hook the ball and why swing fundamentals matter so much.
(11:32): She explains why speed and tempo are more important than strength for developing young golfers.
(13:07): Brittany talks about the “aha moments” golfers experience when they finally compress the ball correctly.
(15:27): She shares advice for bouncing back after bad rounds, building confidence, and keeping golf enjoyable long term.
Brittany Atkinson on Golf Coaching
Golf is one of the fastest-growing sports among young athletes, but succeeding in the game takes far more than simply learning how to swing a club. For golf coach Brittany Atkinson, success comes from confidence, patience, and understanding the mental challenges that every golfer faces. From discovering golf later in life to becoming one of Athletes Untapped Top 40 Golf Coaches, Brittany has built a coaching philosophy centered around mental toughness, fundamentals, and helping athletes enjoy the journey.
From Softball Athlete to Golf Coach
Unlike many golf instructors who grew up on the course, Brittany Atkinson actually started her athletic career in fast-pitch softball. She spent much of her childhood competing in sports before eventually discovering golf during college at Dixie State University, now known as Utah Tech.
Her introduction to golf came through her grandfather, who lived on a golf course in Utah and helped teach her the game. What started as a hobby quickly turned into an obsession.
Brittany explained that she balanced softball and golf throughout her twenties before eventually focusing fully on golf after injuries began affecting her softball career. Over time, golf evolved from a pastime into both a lifestyle and coaching career.
Today, Brittany coaches golfers throughout the Salt Lake Valley and works with junior golf clinics through Salt Lake County programs.
Why Golf Is One of the Most Mental Sports
One of the biggest themes Brittany discussed throughout the conversation was the mental side of golf. According to her, mental toughness is one of the hardest — and most important — skills for golfers of every age to develop.
She explained that even professional golfers constantly battle nerves, frustration, and pressure on the course. Instead of trying to eliminate those feelings entirely, Brittany teaches athletes how to manage them through:
- Breathing techniques
- Confidence-building exercises
- Slowing down tempo
- Staying focused on the next shot
- Letting go of mistakes quickly
For Brittany, helping athletes stay calm and confident is often more important than technical swing adjustments.
Teaching Young Golfers How to Handle Pressure
Golf can be especially difficult for young athletes because the sport is highly individual. Unlike team sports, golfers cannot rely on teammates during competition, and every shot feels personal.
Brittany sees many young golfers struggle with:
- Self-doubt
- Pressure from competition
- Social media comparisons
- Fear of failure
- Unrealistic expectations
Her coaching philosophy focuses heavily on helping athletes understand that golf is a long-term journey, not something mastered overnight.
She encourages players to stay honest about their scores and progress rather than chasing unrealistic results. According to Brittany, confidence comes from improvement, consistency, and learning to embrace uncomfortable moments.
What a Beginner Golf Lesson Looks Like
For parents considering golf lessons for their children, Brittany shared what a typical beginner session looks like.
She usually starts athletes at the driving range rather than immediately taking them onto the course. Lessons focus heavily on fundamentals, including:
- Grip
- Stance
- Swing path
- Tempo
- Ball contact
- Athletic posture
Brittany explained that beginners often need several sessions just to consistently make clean contact with the golf ball.
Her philosophy emphasizes repetition and patience, especially because golf relies so heavily on muscle memory.
Why Tempo Matters More Than Strength
One of Brittany’s biggest coaching points is that young golfers should focus more on speed and tempo than pure strength.
Many golfers — especially beginners — swing too hard and lose control of their mechanics. Brittany teaches athletes to develop proper swing fundamentals first, allowing power and strength to build naturally over time.
She also explained that tempo is one of the biggest issues she sees among adult male golfers who try to overpower their swings instead of letting the club work naturally through the motion.
Helping Athletes Avoid Overthinking
Another challenge many golfers face is overanalyzing every detail of their swing.
Brittany teaches athletes to focus on setup and preparation before allowing the body to react naturally during the swing. Once players establish consistent fundamentals, she encourages them to trust the work they have already put in rather than constantly thinking during competition.
This approach helps golfers play with more freedom and confidence on the course.
“Be a Goldfish”: Recovering From Bad Rounds
When asked how athletes should bounce back after a bad tournament or rough round, Brittany offered a simple piece of advice:
“Be a goldfish. Let it go.”
She believes golfers improve faster when they stop dwelling on mistakes and instead focus on the next opportunity. According to Brittany, every golfer — including professionals — experiences bad rounds, and learning to move forward quickly is critical for long-term success.
Pro Golfers Young Athletes Should Watch
For young golfers looking for role models, Brittany highlighted two standout professionals:
- Nelly Korda for her consistency, fundamentals, and calm attitude
- Scottie Scheffler for his balance between golf, family, and life outside the sport
Brittany admires athletes who can compete at the highest level while still understanding that golf is only one part of life.
Advice for Parents of Young Golfers
One of the most valuable parts of Brittany’s coaching philosophy involves helping parents support their athletes in healthy ways.
Rather than creating additional pressure, Brittany encourages parents to focus on building confidence and celebrating small wins.
She believes nervousness and self-doubt often create the biggest struggles on the golf course, and confident athletes are much more likely to perform well under pressure.
Instead of obsessing over bad shots or scores, Brittany encourages parents and athletes to:
- Focus on progress
- Celebrate strong shots
- Learn from mistakes
- Keep golf enjoyable
Golf Is a Journey
Throughout the interview, Brittany repeatedly returned to one central message: golf is a journey.
There will always be highs and lows, great rounds and frustrating days. But for athletes who stay patient, build confidence, and continue enjoying the game, growth eventually follows.
For young golfers in Utah looking to improve both technically and mentally, Brittany Atkinson offers a coaching style built around positivity, fundamentals, and long-term development.
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