Donal Scott

Full time coach. Life long learner.

HP Coach for Golf Ireland, Maynooth University and individual players competing on various tours worldwide.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

‘In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.’
Dwight D. Eisenhower

This statement has underpinned most of my work this year.

The value of strategic planing lies not in having a perfect plan, but in being prepared to adapt.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.”

Michael Porter

Strategy is focus.

Trying to get better at everything is lazy planning and ineffective.

Quality training design requires thought and starts with choosing what not to focus on.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Really enjoyed this chat with Jonny from the @BogeyMenPod - it’s always fun to have a chat with someone — with a passion for golf and high performance — and see where it’s takes us.

https://t.co/O8glx5WH7B

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

The importance of having a ‘style of play’ is a given in football.

Yet it’s rarely mentioned in golf analysis but if I’ve one takeaway from this year so far.

It’s that clarity around how you want to play (style), a model of performance, is crucial for players and their coaches.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

A golf performance checklist:

✔️ or ✖️
Can I see what I want the ball to do?
Can I make it do it?

What environments can I do it in?
✔️ or ✖️
Practice Ground
On Course
Tournaments

Maintain the ✔️s and Improve the ✖️s

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Thoroughly enjoyed the chat Pete.

One of my favourite podcasts so it was a privilege to be part of an episode.

[🎯 Practice Transfer Score (PTS) @Practice_Think]

🆕 Podcast Alert 🆕

Performance, Strategy & Planning in Golf with @DonalScott

In this podcast, Pete and Donal chew the fat on performance, strategy and planning in golf.

We discuss:

- Getting the right people on the bus
- The 80/20 rule of performance
- Getting out of your own way
- Falling into deficit gaps

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

@micksey73 I think they would. I’m pretty sure the lads in 52nd on Sunday will be going through the motions.

Most players once not in contention and with no prize money/rankings on the line would rather be out of there conserving energy to be honest.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

My dream Olympic Golf format would be:

Top 50 cut after 1 round
Top 25 cut after 2 rounds
Top 10 cut after 3 rounds

It would lead aggressive play all four days and bring a fresh edge to the event while keeping the four round s’play championship format.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Really enjoyed the chat.

Pete is one of my favourite people to talk shop with.

[🎯 Practice Transfer Score (PTS) @Practice_Think]

🆕 Podcast Coming 🔜

We share a conversation with @DonalScott on Performance, Strategy & Planning in Golf

We discuss:

- Getting the right people on the bus
- The 80/20 rule of performance
- Getting out of your own way
- Falling into ‘deficit gaps’

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Ten years of battle and banter with @StevenRobbo45 in the books.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

What Vs How. The what is key but the how is crucial.

What do I want to achieve Vs How do I want to achieve it.

The what provides a goal but the how provides a strategy. And a goal without a strategy is just a wish.

Don’t leave performance to chance, design it.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

I’m not much of a runner but I managed to complete the LauraLynn 50 miles in June Challenge.

Ireland’s only children’s hospice provide amazing support to families going through the hardest journey imaginable.

Very happy to support their incredible work.
https://t.co/FvNsaraIrU

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Sometimes the context in golf(especially professional golf) makes it difficult to have conversations like this.

It takes courage but it’s crucial for player development.

Say it as it is but from a place of genuine care for the player in front of you.

[Jamie Taylor @Jattaylor]

So much that goes into the capacity of a coach to be able to interact with an athlete like this, but it seems fundamental to coaches focused on player development

Some research 👇

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Performance by Design

From the Inside-Out

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Later in their careers they look inside themselves more. They see their best performances are as a result of understanding themselves better.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Outside-In Vs Inside-Out

Early in my career I used to take an outside-in approach. ‘What information/knowledge do I need to put in to players to help them get a quality performance out of themselves.’

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Early in their career they spend a lot of time looking outside of themselves for answers. Looking at other players, new coaches, new trends etc.

[Donal Scott @DonalScott]

Quality training design builds the belief that your good enough is good enough.

Nobody rises to the occasion.

Improve the quality of your ordinary days.

And then aim to have ordinary performances on extraordinary occasions.