Title: #66: [Inside the Mind] Scott Fawcett: Risk Management, Responding v. Reacting, and Emotional Detachment

Today, I’m joined by Scott Fawcett, the Founder of Decade Golf. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• Why golf and poker share the same mathematical decision-making process.
• How expectation management eliminates frustration and improves decision-making.
• The role of risk management and when aggressive play actually makes sense.
• How bogey avoidance, not birdie chasing, is the key to lower scores.
• The power of pre-shot commitment and structured decision-making.
• Why elite golfers use a structured process to make every decision.
• The importance of meditation and mental discipline in staying focused under pressure.

Get your pencils ready and start listening. 

P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here.

More About Scott

Scott Fawcett created the revolutionary DECADE Golf System, a data-driven course management strategy that has transformed how golfers at all levels approach the game. 

With three degrees in mathematics, a background in professional golf, and a passion for poker, Scott has combined statistical analysis with real-world performance insights to help players make smarter decisions and lower their scores. 

His DECADE system has been used by top PGA Tour pros, including Bryson DeChambeau and Will Zalatoris, as well as collegiate and amateur golfers seeking a strategic edge.

Scott’s journey includes playing collegiate golf at Texas A&M, competing professionally on mini-tours, and applying his deep understanding of analytics to optimize shot selection and on-course strategy. 

Learn more about Scott and Decade Golf here.

Connect with Scott on Instagram here.

Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course

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High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching

Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential.

He has over 15 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential.

Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course. 

Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist 

Twitter: @parsoverbogeys

Key Takeaways:

• Golf is a Math Game: Like poker, golf is about making the highest percentage decisions over time—not playing emotionally or aggressively.
• Expect the Inevitable: Bad shots will happen. If you expect them, you’ll react logically instead of emotionally.
• Avoiding Bogeys > Chasing Birdies: The best players focus on limiting mistakes rather than hunting for low-percentage birdie opportunities.
• Commit Fully to Every Shot: If you don’t fully commit to a target, you’re adding unnecessary variance to your game.
• Shape Your Driver One Way: Stop trying to hit both draws and fades off the tee—own one consistent shot shape.
• Lag Putting is Underrated: The biggest scoring leaks come from poor lag putting. Improve from 20-40 feet to eliminate unnecessary three-putts.
• Stay Emotionally Detached: The best golfers remain logical under pressure and don’t let emotions dictate decisions.

Key Quotes:

• "Golf and poker aren’t just similar—they’re identical." 
• "Every decision you make is a math-based decision, whether you realize it or not." 
• "If you expect bad shots, you won’t react emotionally when they happen." 
• "Trying to force birdies will only lead to higher scores." 
• "Your opponent in golf is the course, and it plays perfect game theory every time." 
• "Winning is more fun than fun is fun—play smarter, not riskier." 
• "The key to golf is not being great—it’s making fewer mistakes than everyone else." 

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Personal Challenges
• 06:00 Mathematics in Golf and Decision Making
• 12:21 Detachment from Outcomes and Emotional Control
• 24:33 Risk Management and Bogey Avoidance
• 33:19 Understanding Risk and Reward in Golf
• 38:29 Common Mistakes of Single-Digit Handicappers
• 46:58 Mindset and Recovery: Lessons from Injuries
• 53:55 Learning from Mistakes: The Tiger Five
• 01:00:33 Key Principles for Golf Success