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Assessing Your Strengths and Weaknesses Will Help Your Decision Making on the Course

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Most players know that golf is a game where being strategic and having a plan on how you are going to chart your way around the course is essential to playing well. Let me stress, MOST KNOW this— The key is to follow your plan and not let your ego take over. 
Although most players know their limitations, it’s natural to let the memory of one miracle shot give them false hope of repeating it time & time again. And others may even think, “Well, Rory made it look pretty easy, so how hard can it be?” 
Managing your expectations is critical to your success. That includes being able to be realistic on what you are able to do or not do on the course. 
Sometimes this isn’t even about being overly aggressive. I’ve seen plenty of circumstances where players were far too cautious in their approach. If you have the ability to reach a par 5 in two, trust in that ability. Don’t let the decision-making of your playing partners or competitors sway you from sticking to what you know you do best. 
The idea is to play to YOUR strengths and not to what may be the popular play for the majority. 
This coming week at the Ryder Cup you will see much more strategy at play than what might be typical week in and week out on television. The best-planned decisions made by teams will be based solely on realistic assessments of each playing partner’s strengths and weaknesses and what each is capable of pulling off. 
Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses and being realistic about your abilities will help you make better decisions on the course. 
Having a realistic assessment of your game, and relying on your strengths while knowing your weaknesses, will help you make better decision— whether that means going for something or playing it safe.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Remote Golf Coach, Founder & Golf Writer

Brendon Elliott, PGA, helps competitive teenage golfers improve through BE A GOLFER remote coaching, self-guided programs and digital practice tools. Shop self-guided digital resources: https://be-a-golfer-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all **PRIVATE REMOTE COACHING** $400/month with a three-month minimum, $1,000/quarter or $4,000/year. Includes two live coaching hours each month, CoachNow communication and unlimited swing-video analysis, individual practice plans, SwingU performance tracking, selective SportsBox AI analysis, tournament preparation and review, and priority support. Apply and receive acceptance before paying. Parent or guardian involvement is required for minors. Apply for coaching: https://beagolfer.golf/apply-for-coaching **TWO DISTINCT 12-WEEK PROGRAMS** 12-Week Coached Remote Development Cycle — $1,500 one-time. Six scheduled live sessions, a private CoachNow space, weekly priorities and progress reviews. Application and acceptance required. 12-Week Self-Guided Development Plan — $1,500 one-time with 12-week access. Independent development with limited coach involvement; no scheduled live sessions or unlimited personal feedback. No application required. Explore both programs: https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching **DIGITAL PRACTICE TOOLS** Start at your own pace with instant-download practice plans, journals and tournament resources. The $59 Competitive Golfer's Practice Blueprint is a paid 21-day digital toolkit, separate from the free introductory practice guide. The $149 Competitive Golfer Bundle + Video Review includes one recorded review; ongoing coaching is purchased separately. Shop digital programs: https://be-a-golfer-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all **IN-PERSON COACHING — WAITLIST ONLY** All in-person coaching is offered in packages: $600/month, $1,500/quarter or $5,000/year. Includes one private coaching hour each week in Longwood, with location and schedule confirmed by Brendon, plus remote support. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee acceptance or a start date. Join the waitlist: https://beagolfer.golf/waiting-list **EXPERIENCE, WRITING AND BUSINESS** Brendon brings more than 30 years in golf, more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors, and the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. His career includes coaching, club leadership, college golf education and mentoring. He founded Little Linksters in 2008 and led it for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching BE A GOLFER. He is Senior Golf Writer for Athlon Sports, with work also appearing in PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine and MyGolfSpy. Through One More Roll Golf Media, he provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and golf industry media services. BE A GOLFER: https://beagolfer.golf/home Athlon Sports writing: https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott One More Roll Golf Media: https://onemorerollgolf.com/ More about Brendon: https://brendonelliott.com/

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