WHEN Alex Mercer's name is mentioned the words legend and guru are often muttered in the same breath.

So the Central Western District Golf Association junior development squad was given quite the treat when they were recently coached by Mercer.

Mercer coached the NSW golf team for 32 years and still mentors players such as Bathurst professional Peter O'Malley and Japan Tour event winner Brendan Jones.

The Central West squad is coached by Orange's Bruce McLean, who was Mercer's trainee at Royal Sydney many years ago.

Around 15 children from across the region, including Bathurst's Ben Matheson, Jane Perfect, Scott Matheson and Jarryd Bird, spent two days with Mercer, who was impressed with what he saw.

"Bruce McLean has them in good shape," Mercer said.

"They're fairly good players for their age. Some of them have got great potential and will become very good in time. The kids were already fairly well-trained. I just gave them some new ideas."

Mercer said the key to coaching children was to win their confidence.

He added coaching adults was very different to mentoring juniors.

"The hardest thing for adults is to make changes physically because the body is not as ready to accept change," he explained.

Mercer, 76, still plays golf and has a handicap of six.

He believes much of his success as a coach comes down to his philosophy.

"I think I encourage people to be themselves. I don't impose unnatural moves or ideas on them," he said.

"I'm a great believer in thinking ahead. What you did on your last hole is in the past so there's no use thinking about it. You have to think about what you're going to do on the next hole."