blog posts
3 Mental Shifts That Instantly Lower Your Scores
When most golfers think about lowering their scores, their first thought is usually about their swing. More lessons, new drills, or even the latest club technology. But here’s the truth: your swing might not be the biggest thing holding you back—your mindset is.
The mental game is the hidden edge that separates frustrated golfers from confident, consistent players. By shifting the way you think on the course, you can free yourself up to play your best golf without making a single mechanical change.
Here are 3 mental shifts that can transform your game:
1. From Outcome → Process
Too many golfers obsess over their score, their handicap, or “what they need to shoot.” The problem? That mindset creates tension and adds unnecessary pressure. Instead, lock into the process: pick a target, commit to your shot, and execute your routine. When you win enough small moments, the score takes care of itself.
2. From Fear → Curiosity
Fear kills performance. Fear of hitting it OB, fear of chunking a chip, fear of missing a short putt. Instead of fearing mistakes, get curious. Ask yourself: “What can I learn from this shot?” Curiosity keeps you engaged, present, and less emotionally tied to the result.
3. From Pressure → Opportunity
Big moments often feel overwhelming. But pressure is simply a sign that you’re in the arena. You’ve earned the chance to compete. Reframe pressure as an opportunity—a chance to test your skills and grow as a golfer. This mindset shift alone can help you embrace, rather than avoid, the biggest moments.
Golf is 90% mental. When you train your mind the same way you train your swing, you’ll finally unlock the confidence and consistency you’ve been chasing.
The 5 Levels of Golf Practice – Which One Are You Stuck In?
If you’re serious about improving your golf game — whether you’re a competitive junior or a motivated recreational player — it’s time to take a hard look at how you practice, not just how much.
Most golfers spend 90% of their time hitting balls in a way that doesn’t translate to the course.
That’s why I use a framework called The 5 Levels of Golf Practice to guide my students to train smarter, not harder.
Let’s break it down:
Level 1: Block Practice
This is where most practice sessions live. You hit the same shot over and over, usually with the same club, to the same target.
✅ It’s useful for early technical changes
⚠️ But it doesn’t challenge your brain or simulate real golf
Level 2: Random Practice
Instead of repeating the same shot, you mix it up — different clubs, targets, and lies.
🎯 This builds adaptability
🧠 Your brain stays engaged and learning improves
Level 3: Competitive Practice
This is where pressure comes in. You track results, play games, and add consequences for mistakes.
🔥 Miss 3 putts in a row? Run a lap.
💪 Compete with friends or yourself
The goal: train focus and resilience.
Level 4: Transfer Training
Now you’re simulating real golf. One shot only. Full routine. Pre-shot process. Score it.
This is the bridge between practice and performance.
📋 How well can you execute when it actually counts?
Level 5: On-Course Practice
This is where the real magic happens. You play with a purpose:
Worst ball
Up-and-down games
3-club rounds
Course strategy challenges
You can’t master golf without learning how to think and adapt on the course.
So… Which Level Do You Live In?
If you’re only practicing at Level 1, you’re leaving a ton of improvement on the table.
Great players spend time in all five levels. The goal is to move up and down the ladder depending on what you need most.
Want help structuring your practice?
➡️ Reach out or join our training programs to start making your practice count.
Parents & Teens: The Golf Success Playbook
The junior golf journey is more than swing tweaks and tournament scores — it’s a family effort.
When parents and players work together, things flow. When they’re misaligned? Things fall apart.
Here’s a clear, simple playbook to help both sides thrive — and bring out the best in each other.
1. Clear Roles = Less Stress
One of the biggest sources of tension between parents and junior golfers is role confusion.
Parents: You’re the support crew, not the swing coach. Provide structure, emotional support, and logistics — not technical advice.
Teens: You’re in charge of your preparation, effort, and mindset. The ownership is yours.
✅ When each person stays in their lane, progress happens faster and frustration drops.
2. Build a Tournament Routine
Tournaments aren’t just about game-day performance — they’re about preparation.
Night before:
Clubs clean and packed
Yardage book or rangefinder charged
Clothes ready
Screens off by 9 PM
Morning of:
Solid breakfast
Warm-up stretches
Visualizing 1st tee shot
Lock in a clear pre-shot routine
🎯 Consistency breeds confidence under pressure.
3. Stats Over Stories
We tend to judge rounds emotionally: “That felt like a bad round” or “I just couldn’t score.”
Instead, track the data:
Greens in regulation
Up-and-downs
Makeable putts converted
Fairways hit
3-putts
📊 Teens: Use a stat tracker or notebook.
👨👩👧👦 Parents: Praise the right process, not just the number on the card.
4. Use the 24-Hour Rule
Immediately after a tough round isn’t the time for analysis.
Enforce the 24-Hour Rule:
Let the player decompress.
Sleep on it.
Revisit the round with a clear head the next day.
🧠 This simple strategy builds trust, emotional control, and long-term perspective.
5. The Balance Triangle: School, Social, Sport
Teens today juggle a lot. That’s why building a time-management system is critical.
Use a weekly planner.
Map out golf, schoolwork, workouts, and recovery time.
Prioritize 7–9 hours of sleep.
💥 Burnout is real — and it kills momentum faster than bad technique.
6. Share a Long-Term Vision
The most successful junior golfers don’t just chase scores — they chase purpose.
Sit down together and answer:
🎯 Where do we want to be in 6 months?
Examples:
Qualify for a major event
Lower scoring average by 3 strokes
Add 10 yards off the tee
Improve GPA to meet recruiting standards
Then break that goal into monthly checkpoints so both player and parent stay focused.
Final Thought: Same Team. Same Mission.
When parents and players align on expectations, preparation, and roles, they create a foundation for growth without burnout.
Not every round will be great — but every round can be part of the bigger picture.
Stick to the plan. Support each other. Stay the course. 🧠⛳
Most Junior Golfers Won’t Make It. Here’s How to Be Different.
Let’s be real — junior golf is competitive. Every week, more players enter the game, swing coaches post slow-mo videos, and tournament leaderboards get tighter. The truth?
👉 Most junior golfers won’t make it to the next level.
But not because they aren’t talented.
It’s because they don’t separate themselves.
Here’s how you can.
1. Average Shows Up When It’s Easy
Anyone can practice when the weather’s perfect or the swing feels good. But elite players? They show up when it’s hard — when it’s cold, windy, and they’ve had a rough week at school.
✅ Consistency beats convenience.
If you want to be different, train even when it’s uncomfortable.
2. Stop Obsessing Over the “Perfect” Swing
It’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing a flawless swing. But college coaches don’t recruit Instagram clips — they recruit winners.
🧠 Learn how to “score ugly.”
Scramble. Recover. Grind it out. That’s what real players do.
3. Outwork the “Talented” Kids
Talent is great — but it fades fast when things get hard.
Grit doesn’t.
🧱 The juniors who make it are the ones willing to put in boring, hard, unsexy reps day after day.
Beat them with your work ethic, not your swing speed.
4. Don’t Just Practice — Train With Purpose
Too many players hit balls without any structure.
If you want real results, build a plan.
🎯 Track stats. Create pressure.
Work on your weaknesses, not just what you’re already good at.
5. Learn to Love Competition
Tournament golf is a different beast.
It’s where nerves show up — and champions step up.
🔥 Embrace pressure.
Learn from failure.
Use each event as fuel, not fear.
6. Choose the Hard Path
In a world full of shortcuts, choose the grind.
Skip the fluff. Focus on what moves the needle.
🎯 You can blend in, or you can build something special.
The grind is lonely — but so is the view at the top.
Final Thought:
The gap between good and great isn’t always talent — it’s effort, mindset, and the ability to stay the course when others quit.
Stay focused. Stay different.
You’ve got this. 💪
1. Focus on Process, Not Just Results
It’s easy to get caught up in scores and rankings.
But if that becomes the only thing that matters, golf becomes a pressure cooker.
👉 Instead: praise effort, focus, and preparation.
When your child knows they’re not defined by one round, they’ll learn to compete freely and develop real confidence.
2. Ask the Right Questions After a Round
Avoid:
“What did you shoot?”
“Did you win?”
Instead, try:
✅ “What did you learn?”
✅ “What did you feel good about?”
✅ “Is there something you’d like to work on this week?”
These questions build emotional awareness, accountability, and growth—without creating fear of failure.
3. Let the Coach Be the Coach
You may know a lot about golf—but when it comes to swing changes, practice structure, and tournament strategy, let your child’s coach lead.
Your role is support, not instruction.
Trust builds when the roles are clear and respected.
4. Model the Right Behavior
Your child is always watching.
If you panic over missed shots, criticize them in the car ride home, or obsess over rankings, they’ll internalize that.
Model:
Patience
Positivity
Perspective
They’ll mirror your mindset more than you realize.
5. Keep Long-Term Perspective
College golf dreams are great—but this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Your child’s development is a journey of learning resilience, ownership, and love for the game.
Whether they play D1, D3, or just fall in love with the game for life—that’s a win.
Final Thought
You don’t need to be the perfect parent.
You just need to be intentional, consistent, and supportive.
When you get that part right, your child will go further—not just in golf, but in life.
Every junior golfer who’s serious about the game has asked this question:
“How do I get recruited to play college golf?”
The truth? It’s not just about talent.
Many skilled players never get the chance to play at the next level because they don’t understand the process. This blog is your step-by-step blueprint to getting on a coach’s radar—and staying there.
1. Build a Competitive Tournament Resume
College coaches want more than a few good rounds at your local course.
They’re looking at:
Scoring average over time
Tournaments played (CGA, AJGA, state-level events, etc.)
Strength of field and consistency
How you perform under pressure
Start tracking your performance across events, and make sure you’re playing in tournaments that count toward rankings.
2. Be Proactive With Outreach
Don’t wait for coaches to come find you.
Start sending introductory emails as early as freshman or sophomore year. Include:
A short personal intro
Tournament results
A clean, well-lit swing video (driver + iron from face-on and down-the-line)
Academic info (GPA, test scores, graduation year)
Make it easy for coaches to learn about you quickly.
3. Stand Out Beyond the Scorecard
What separates elite recruits from the rest?
✅ Mental toughness – How you handle adversity
✅ Physical development – Strength, speed, and injury prevention
✅ Coachability – Are you a student of the game?
✅ Academics – A strong GPA and test scores keep more doors open
You’re not just trying to impress with skill—you’re showing them who you are as a complete athlete and teammate.
4. Build the Right Support System
Behind every recruited junior golfer is a team:
A coach who understands recruiting timelines
Parents who support without pushing
A clear practice and tournament plan for long-term growth
College golf is a long-term commitment. You don’t need to have it all figured out right away, but you do need a strategy.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be the best in your state to get recruited.
But you do need to be:
🎯 Consistent
📬 Proactive
💪 Prepared
If you follow this blueprint, you’ll be way ahead of most junior golfers who are hoping someone magically discovers them. Make a plan—and go earn it.
FEBRUARY 2025 by stuart mckechnie
The Power of Small Wins: How to Stay Confident After a Bad Round
Every competitive junior golfer will experience bad rounds. It’s inevitable. One day, you feel like you can take on the world. The next, you’re struggling to find a fairway, missing short putts, and wondering if all the work you’ve put in even matters.
But here’s the secret: elite players don’t let bad rounds define them—they use them. And one of the best ways to bounce back is by focusing on small wins.
Why Confidence Drops After a Bad Round
Confidence isn’t just a feeling—it’s built through preparation, experience, and results. When you struggle in a tournament, it’s easy to question your ability. The negative thoughts creep in:
❌ “What if I’m not as good as I thought?”
❌ “I always mess up under pressure.”
❌ “That was embarrassing. What will my coach/parents think?”
These thoughts are normal, but they aren’t helpful. The best players shift their focus from what went wrong to small wins that keep confidence high.
What Are Small Wins?
Small wins are the little things you did well, even in a tough round. They help remind you that progress is happening, even if the score doesn’t show it.
✅ You hit 10/14 fairways
✅ You stayed committed to your routine under pressure
✅ You had a strong back nine after a rough start
✅ You learned what doesn’t work—and won’t make the same mistake twice
These small wins rebuild confidence by showing you’re not as far off as you think.
How to Find Small Wins After a Tough Round
After a bad round, take 5 minutes to go through this process:
1️⃣ Write Down 3 Things You Did Well – No matter how frustrated you are, force yourself to find them.
2️⃣ Identify 1 Area for Growth – Keep it simple. Instead of “I need to be better at putting,” say, “I need to work on reading greens more effectively.”
3️⃣ Create an Action Plan – What’s one small thing you can do in practice to improve?
Example: If you struggled with approach shots, you might commit to practicing 30 minutes of distance control drills before your next event.
The Elite Mindset: Bounce Back Quickly
The best players don’t dwell on bad rounds for long. They reflect, adjust, and move forward. Remember: one bad round doesn’t define your game—but how you respond to it does.
So next time you walk off the course feeling frustrated, find your small wins. They are the stepping stones to long-term confidence and success.