Golf Goals: A Proven 5-Step Process
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Most golfers want to play better, but few have a clear roadmap to make it happen. They head to the range without a plan, try a few random drills, and then wonder why nothing changes.
But here’s the truth: Without a clear goal, you’re just hoping to improve—not actually working toward anything. This is why you need clear golf goals.
As Zig Ziglar said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”
In this post, I’ll teach you my goal-setting process from my book, Wicked Smart Golf II: The Blueprint to Breaking 80 Consistently. You’ll learn how to create specific, actionable goals to transform your golf game—from dreaming bigger to crafting daily routines that keep you focused, motivated, and consistent.
Golf Goals 101
Whether you want to break 90, shoot in the 70s consistently, or become a scratch golfer, it all starts with setting intentional goals. Too many players just hope to get better.
But the best golfers—at every level—have a clear vision and a structured plan to get there.
That’s where the Wicked Smart Golf Goal System comes in.
- Set Big Picture Goals – Define what success looks like for you in the next 6–24 months.
- Set Process Goals – Break those big goals into small, consistent action steps.
- Write Them Down – Turn thoughts into commitment by putting pen to paper.
- Get Help – Share your goals with a coach, mentor, or training partner for support and accountability.
- Review and Repeat – Revisit your goals regularly to stay aligned, motivated, and adaptable.
Let’s walk through each step so you can create a personalized roadmap to play your best golf yet.
✅ Step 1: Define Your Destination
The first step is to set big picture, outcome oriented goals. I suggest to my students to break this into long term career goals and season goals.
Long Term Goals: Dream Really Big.
When setting long-term goals, don’t just be “realistic.” Be bold. As David Schwarz said in the Magic of Thinking Big, “Capacity is a state of mind. How much we can do depends on how much we think we can do.”
Here are a few of my own personal stretch goals to get your wheels turning:
- Become a +5 handicap
- Qualify for 5+ USGA events
- Play a round with Tiger Woods
- Win multiple Arizona Golf major championships
- Get inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame
You don’t need to copy these—just let them inspire you to think beyond your current reality.
What do you really want to accomplish in golf? Break 80? Qualify for a tournament? Become a scratch player?
Think of outcome goals as the destination on your golf journey. They give your brain something clear to lock onto—just like painting a vivid picture before hitting a shot. Tony Robbins put it perfectly: “Clarity is power... the more clear you are, the faster your brain can get you there.”
Short-Term Goals: Make This Your Best Season Yet
Next, set short term goals for this season or the next 12 months if you’re starting this exercise mid-season. Short-term goals should guide your weekly and monthly decisions.
Here are a few examples to model:
- Make every cut
- Win one tournament
- Top 20 in every major event
- Qualify for the Arizona–Utah team
- Increase clubhead speed to 115mph
- Record the lowest round of any event
Avoid vague goals like “hit more fairways.” As Jack Canfield said, “Vague goals equal vague results.” Set 3–7 goals for the next 12 months (or season) so you can then reverse engineer them over the upcoming months.
✅ Step 2: Build Your Daily Blueprint
Big goals are great, but they won’t happen without consistent, focused action. Here’s how to reverse-engineer them with process goals:
- Outcome: Add 10mph to swing speed to get to 115mph
- Process: Speed train 3x/week with Rypstick, full-body workouts 3x/week, and GolfForever workouts 2x/a week.
- Outcome: Reduce handicap from 8 to 0
- Process: 1 coaching session/quarter + 150 made putts/week on indoor mat (I love PrimePutt) + 60 min short game/week.
Each process goal should be tied to specific actions and timelines so you can track progress and build momentum.
✅ Step 3: Write Your Goals
Once you’ve defined your outcome and process goals, it’s time to bring them to life—by writing them down. Not typing them into your phone… actually putting pen to paper.
Handwritten goals activate more areas of the brain, build emotional connection, and improve clarity and retention. Studies have shown that when you write something by hand, you’re far more likely to remember it, commit to it, and take action.
As mindset coach Paul Salter said on episode 334 of the Wicked Smart Golf Podcast:
“There's a reason the organization of letters to form words is called spelling. There's an inherent magic to it. It carries that emotional energy and that's why putting pen to paper to get your words, your thoughts out there. It makes it easier to digest, easier to manipulate, to begin shaping your thoughts, your beliefs, planning your action steps, and creating new habits.”
There’s a reason it’s called “spelling”—because the act of writing helps you cast intention. When you physically write your goals, you connect emotionally with the outcome, and that extra energy sends a powerful signal to your subconscious.
Want to break 80 this year?
Write it down.
Want to play in your first tournament?
Write it down.
Want to gain 10 yards off the tee?
You guessed it—write it down.
This act transforms your dreams into targets. And remember: the clearer the target, the easier it is for your brain to lock on and get to work.
✅ Step 4: Get Help on Your Goals
Once you have big picture goals for your career and season plus the processes to make it happen, you might need some help.
Share Your Goals
Tell a trusted coach, golf buddy, or even your spouse. Accountability increases commitment.
Better yet—get a “goal buddy” to check in with weekly or monthly.
Visualize Your Goals
Imagine the moment you achieve your goals—what you see, hear, and feel. As John Weir (the creator of Mental Golf Type) said, “Visualization is goal setting for your subconscious.”
See yourself holding the trophy, signing a 69 on your card, or hearing your name in the final group. The subconscious doesn’t know the difference between what is real and vividly imagined, so create the memory in your mind first. Then, you can act as if until it becomes reality.
Choose an “Enemy” for Extra Fuel
Inspired by Patrick Bet-David’s book Choose Your Enemies Wisely, this tactic uses friendly competition to keep your fire burning. Identify a rival—maybe someone who always beats you in the club championship or a buddy who loves reminding you about his lower handicap.
Whenever motivation dips, visualize them grinding while you slack off. Let that mental image light a fire under you. I started doing this in 2024 for golf, business, and can say it’s one of the biggest motivators out there.
“When you choose your enemies wisely, they will help you grow.” —PBD
Hire a Coach
Every great player has someone in their corner. A coach provides structure, accountability, and expert feedback you simply can’t get on your own.
Whether it’s swing mechanics, mental game coaching, or short game, working with a coach accelerates your improvement by removing guesswork. The right coach won’t just fix problems—they’ll help you build a roadmap to your goals.
Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself… your future scores will thank you.
✅ Step 5: Review and Recalibrate Your Golf Goals
The final part of this goal-setting process is to make sure and review them regularly. One of the biggest mistakes I made for years was setting big goals every January, only to put them in my desk drawer and not look at them. This is not wicked smart approved as it’s not helping your mind get clear on the target.
Repetition wires your goals into your subconscious and activates your brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS), helping you notice helpful tools, people, and opportunities. As Tony Robbins said,“If you keep looking at those outcomes every day, your brain will come up with ways to get that outcome.”
Closing Thoughts
Whether your dream is to break 80 or win your state amateur, it all starts with clear, intentional goal setting. Write them down, build processes to support them, review often, and fuel yourself with visualization and competition.
That’s how Wicked Smart golfers stay on track and make massive progress over time.
📘 Inspired by this post? This is just one chapter from Wicked Smart Golf II: The Blueprint to Breaking 80 Consistently. Grab it on Amazon or Audible to transform your game without swing changes.
