Leaderboards 
Become a Member 
Shop 
Trade In quick coaching
Don’t Forget the Ultimate Goal: Lowering Your Scores
Learning the technical elements of the swing, practicing it and becoming proficient at all of it will undoubtedly help golfers reach goals they set for themselves. However, the whole point of the game, beyond the technical fundamentals, is about putting the ball in the hole in the fewest number of shots. That part, in and of itself, is an entirely separate part to learn how to master in order to find success. To reach the pinnacle of golf mastery, if such a thing even exists, requires mastering both fundamentals and how to PLAY the game…or how to score.
I’ll always remember, when growing up in upstate New York, how my dad used to play the 10th hole at our then home course, Canasawacta CC. A sharp dogleg left, almost 90 degrees, right to left Par 5 of about 500 yards. The hole had OB left and right and was tree lined down the entire right side and down the left side for about 350 yards roughly. Many would try to hit a sweeping draw driver or 3-wood around the corner to get themselves into go-for-it range in two shots, however, this would bring all the trouble, on both sides of the hole into play. My father would famously play the hole by hitting a 5 iron, 5 iron and pitching wedge into the hole verse trying to “go-for-it.” He always would tell me that by playing smart, and eliminating the chance of trouble, that he would have more tries for birdie on that hole than any of his league playing partners, and he was right.
I encourage you to learn how to “PLAY” golf and get creative when playing practice rounds. Maybe play one day with no woods, or another day with one, two or three clubs, perhaps just a wedge one day for 9 holes. You can learn a lot by doing this. You will certainly surprise yourself on what you are capable of when you must use some creativity in getting the ball into the hole with 1 or 2 clubs.
Remember, there are no pictures of each of your shots on a scorecard. Only the final score. Most of us have no cameras on us as we play (thankfully!), and nowhere does it say the shots need to look pretty every time we hit them…they just need to get in the hole in as few shots as possible.
It’s important to have fun with this as you learn more about how to score.
Sorrento, FL
Brendon Elliott
Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.