Lesson 3 of 5
What To Do
Every bad shot is information, if you look at it the right way. JJ's post-shot routine puts every shot in one of three boxes: a great shot, an acceptable shot that leaves good odds for par, or a learning experience. A learning experience is a shot you learn from and rehearse the way you would have liked to hit it.
JJ talks about how Jason Day journals during his practice. Feedback is crucial for development. If you write down what you learned after every round or practice, you will speed up your improvement. JJ's players do this on a sheet called What I Learned Today. He also says to separate good decisions with bad outcomes from bad decisions, because only one of those needs fixing.
How To Do It
Step 1: Separate the shot from the person
A bad shot is something you did, not who you are. Describe it plainly: "I missed the green short right with a 7 iron." Leave out words like "stupid" or "choked."
Step 2: Decision or execution?
Was it the wrong club or target, or the right decision with a poor swing? A good decision with a bad result needs no fixing. A bad decision needs a new rule.
Step 3: Fill in What I Learned Today
JJ's sheet asks what you learned today about your mental game, pre-shot routine, post-shot routine and self-talk, mechanics, body, nutrition, course, equipment and the overall quality of your practice. Not every box needs an answer every day.
Step 4: Pick one lesson
Out of everything you wrote, pick the one thing that would save you the most shots. That is your focus for the next practice.
Step 5: End with three things you did well
Always finish by writing three things you did well. They go into your Confidence Bank. JJ says journaling about positive experiences lets you relive them, and that builds confidence.
Open these forms to build your Confidence Bank and Yard Card
Performance Yard Card
Your affirmations, one performance cue and your motto on a card that lives in your yardage book.
Open the form
Post Round / Tournament Review
Review every round like a tour player: what went well, intruders, letting go of mistakes, and your plan.
Open the form
Post Practice Review
What I Learned Today. Commitment, routine, mechanics, body, nutrition, course and equipment.
Open the form
Everything you save here is stored in My Playbook.
When To Use It
- After every round and practice session
- When a bad shot keeps replaying in your head
- Before you plan your next practice
Common Mistakes
- Beating yourself up instead of learning
- Trying to fix everything at once
- Fixing a good decision that just had a bad result
- Forgetting to write down what went well
Practical Exercise
Learning Breath
Use this when a bad shot keeps replaying in your head. Breathe in for 4 and picture the shot. Hold for 4 and ask what it taught you. Breathe out for 4 and let the frustration go. Hold for 4 and see the better version.
Pattern: 4-4-4-4 seconds, 2 cycles. The voice counts each second for you.
Ready
Takeaways
- Great, acceptable or a learning experience
- Separate the shot from the person
- Decision or execution?
- Write what you learned every day
- End with three things you did well
Reflect
Use It Next Round
Something not going right on the course?
Tell the AI Coach what happened and get exercises picked for you.
Finished the lesson? Mark it complete to track your progress.
