Scoring Mindset: How I Coach Golfers to Think Like Champions on the Course

Most golfers train their swing—but never train their brain. The truth is, your mindset can be the difference between a personal best and another round of frustration. As a PGA Professional, I coach golfers not just on technique, but on the mental habits that lead to lower scores, especially under pressure.

This post breaks down how I help players develop the Scoring Mindset—a system of routines, reflections, and mental triggers that work when it matters most.

Step 1: Build a Pre-Shot Routine that Reduces Mental Clutter

The best players don’t just hit shots—they rehearse success. I work with students to design a repeatable pre-shot routine that aligns focus and quiets doubt.

What we focus on:

• Trigger words (e.g., “commit” or “tempo”)

• Breathing to anchor the body

• Rehearsal swings that match intention—not mechanics

Example: A player I coach shaved 5 shots off her scoring average by committing to a 10-second pre-shot routine she now uses during all competition rounds.

Step 2: Journal Performance, Not Just Technique

After each lesson, round or practice, I suggest that students use a Performance Journal—something I’ve used myself for years.

We log:

• Total score and stats (GIR, putts, fairways)

• Mental rating (1–10 focus/confidence level)

• Three wins + one goal

This builds awareness and helps them recognize patterns in both performance and mindset.

Bonus: I give my students templates modeled after my own journaling during events.

Step 3: Use Pressure Practice to Rewire Response

I simulate game-like stress in lessons with “must-make” drills and time-based scenarios. The goal? Teach players to stay composed and decisive when results matter.

Drills I use:

• Par-18 Short Game Challenge: 9 up-and-down tests from different lies

• 5-Ball Pressure Putting: Make 3/5 from 6 feet or restart

• Driver Ladder: Hit 3 out of 5 fairways to “pass”

Over time, these build not just skill, but the belief: “I’ve done this before.”

Step 4: Teach Reframing, Not Reacting

Golfers who perform well under pressure aren’t immune to mistakes—they just recover faster. I teach players how to reframe setbacks:

• A 3-putt? Opportunity to bounce back.

• A bad hole? Compartmentalize and reset.

We build self-talk scripts and use visualization to create what Tour players call "emotional immunity."

Pro Insight: I share stories from my own competitive rounds where reframing a missed green helped me bounce back with a clutch up-and-down. Play the game within the game.

Step 5: Create a Tournament Gameplan

Before any big round, we prep a course-specific strategy map:

• Pick targets based on dispersion data

• Identify “green light” vs “yellow light” holes

• Build a practice routine, and a warm-up plan to reduce nerves

Students walk into events with a plan, a purpose, and confidence they’ve earned.

Conclusion: Think Better, Score Better

The swing matters. But how you think—and how you prepare—often matters more. With the Scoring Mindset, you’ll stop hoping for your best golf and start expecting it.

Ready to sharpen your mental game and play like a champion? Let’s work together in Boca Raton or virtually.

📲 Book now at www.ericjmacdonaldpga.com

Eric Mac Donald, PGA | Certified Mental Coach | SAM PuttLab Level 3 | TrackMan | GolfForever | TPI Power 2