#88: [Inside the Mind] Scott Fawcett: The Mental Game Blueprint for Q School Success

In this episode of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, DECADE creator Scott Fawcett pulls back the curtain on the mental, emotional, and strategic demands of Q-School. 

He shares what it really takes to perform when your season—and possibly your career—hangs in the balance, from avoiding over-grinding in the weeks before to keeping composure on the final hole. 

Scott draws on decades of playing, caddying, and coaching experience to reveal the routines, mindset shifts, and course management tactics that separate those who earn their status from those who fall short.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

• Why over-preparing before Q-School can drain your best performance
• How to maintain discipline and stick to your strategy under intense pressure
• Simple course management rules that keep big numbers off your card
• How to handle the financial and emotional pressures of chasing your card
• The role meditation and mental training play in sustaining focus over multiple rounds
• Why caddying can sharpen your decision-making and mental game
• How to replicate your best habits from great rounds when it matters most

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.

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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 16 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:

• Meditation isn’t about no thoughts—it’s about catching thought loops before they spiral.
• Mindset training is learning why you don’t do what you know you should; mental game is learning what and how to think.
• Grinding before a tournament depletes your mental energy—less is more leading up to Q School.
• Tiger’s real edge wasn’t just skill—it was discipline, presence, and treating every shot the same.
• Routine > Novelty: Eat the same lunch, wear the same shirt—save mental energy for where it matters.
• Every shot must be attacked like your target is the flag—own your discipline and trust the process.
• Teaching or caddying for others sharpens your own mindset and awareness faster than anything else.
• Winning isn’t about score—it’s about growing through process and discipline.

Key Quotes:

• I thought meditation was about having no thoughts—turns out it’s about recognizing your thoughts before they own you.
• If you abandon your strategy because of your score… you’ve quit. You didn’t walk off the course, but you quit.
• Your work should be done before you get to Q School. If you’re not playing great, get your mental energy right.
• Meditation is like losing 100 pounds without seeing progress for a year—pointless until it suddenly clicks.
• The best thing I ever did for my game was caddy for Will Zalatoris
• You don’t need more talent. You need more patience, more trust, and more discipline.
• No NEW-trition on game day. Don’t change a damn thing when it’s time to perform.

Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Mindset and Meditation: The Journey Begins
• 02:53: The Power of Thought Patterns
• 05:43: Meditation in Golf: A Personal Experience
• 08:39: The Role of Music and Rhythm in Performance
• 11:40: Mindset vs. Mental Game: Understanding the Difference
• 14:21: Q School: The Make or Break Experience
• 17:29: Emotional Dynamics of Competing
• 20:10: Mental Preparation for Q School
• 23:05: The Importance of Balance and Rest
• 26:01: Slowing Down: The Key to Success
• 28:42: Practice with Purpose: Quality Over Quantity
• 34:49: The Importance of Pre-Shot Routines
• 37:18: Navigating Pressure in Golf
• 40:27: The Role of Money in Golf Careers
• 45:52: Defining Winning and Success
• 51:32: Key Advice for Q School Preparation