Golf Travel iconGolf Travel Leaderboards iconLeaderboards Become a Member iconBecome a Member Shop iconShop , external linkTrade In iconTrade In , external link
quick coaching

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

Published on

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

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.

We also recommend

What is Match Play?
ask & answer
What is Match Play?
Four Makings of a Winning Match Play Mentality
quick coaching
Four Makings of a Winning Match Play Mentality
Mix & Match: Put a Twist On Your Weekly Golf Match
best for
Mix & Match: Put a Twist On Your Weekly Golf Match
Making Putts Under Pressure in Match Play Takes More than a Great Stroke
quick coaching
Making Putts Under Pressure in Match Play Takes More than a Great Stroke