WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKRC) – At Lakota West High School, varsity head golf coach Steve Nguyen is revolutionizing the game with an unconventional focus on mental training.
Nguyen, who took over the golf program after last season, emphasizes meditation and mental imagery to enhance performance.
“So, when the mind is anxious, the body can calm it. When the body is anxious, the body can control it,” Nguyen said.
His philosophy stems from personal experiences, including his father’s dementia diagnosis, which led him to explore the power of mastering the mind.
Nguyen’s approach involves training the brain to maintain a quiet, controlled state, rather than traditional physical practice.
“I noticed that if we spent a whole bunch of time banging balls, that wasn’t going to help anybody, and if I could help them with the mental side, then I think I can make a difference,” said Nguyen.
This mental focus has yielded impressive results, with the team reaching the district finals and placing sixth overall. Junior golfer Griffin Wullenweber credits Nguyen’s techniques for improvements both on the course and in the classroom.
Nguyen’s players affectionately refer to him as everything from Yoda to Mr. Miyagi to the Golf Guru, but he prefers the simple title of “coach.” He believes in the importance of handling both success and setbacks.
“You can do everything you can in life and in golf, but sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you hoped it would, and that’s part of the journey of this,” Nguyen said.
His influence extends beyond golf, as he also provides mental coaching for the school’s soccer, baseball, and football programs.