QLG Master Class: Course Planning, Strategy, and Management

Introduction: The Art of Strategic Golf

It’s amazing how many amateurs – and even professionals – step onto the course without a clear game plan. Yet, as the legendary Jack Nicklaus once said, “Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn to manage the game’s two ultimate adversaries: the course and yourself.”

Course planning and management are not just for the pros; they are powerful tools that any golfer can use to dramatically improve consistency and scoring. This QLG Master Class draws from the wisdom of Legends – Nicklaus, Woods, Trevino, Faldo, and Player – blended with the cutting-edge techniques of Quantum Leap Golf to give you the ultimate strategy guide. By adopting even a fraction of their approach, you can unlock new levels of performance.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to mastering the art of course planning and management.

Step 1: Plan from Pin to Tee

One of the most valuable lessons from Jack Nicklaus’s “Pin-to-Tee Planning” approach is the importance of visualising the course backward. Instead of simply focusing on the tee shot, ask yourself: Where do I want the ball to finish on the green?

Key Actions:

1. Visualise the Green: Identify the optimal landing area on the green for each hole. Consider slopes, pin placement, and risk-reward factors.
2. Plan Backward: Work backward from that spot to determine the ideal position for your approach shot. From there, decide where your tee shot should land to set you up perfectly.
3. Adjust for Conditions: Take into account wind, weather, and course conditions, refining your plan as necessary.

Nicklaus’s method teaches us that by starting with the end in mind, you can approach each hole with clarity and purpose.

“You don’t just play the course; your goal is to master it.”

Step 2: Tactical Aggressive Play

Tiger Woods is renowned for his calculated approach to the game. While known for his ability to attack, he’s also one of the most disciplined players in golf history, often choosing conservative options to minimise risk.

The Traffic Light System:

1. Green (Attack): When conditions and position are ideal, go for the aggressive play.
2. Amber (Judgment): Evaluate the risks and rewards. This is where good judgment comes into play – sometimes the conservative choice is the smartest one.
3. Red (Caution): Play tactical and aim for position. Reduce risk by focusing on control and precision.

Tiger’s philosophy reminds us that golf isn’t about always going for the heroic shot. Instead, it’s about sticking to a plan, minimising mistakes, and attacking only when the odds are firmly in your favour.

“Smart golf isn’t flashy – it’s effective.”

Step 3: Focused Practice for Real Results

Gary Player emphasised that preparation is the key to success: “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” Once your plan is in place, it’s time to simulate the shots you’ll face on the course.

How to Practice Effectively:

1. Recreate Scenarios: Use your range sessions to simulate every shot in your plan. Practice tee shots, approach shots, and recoveries.
2. Full Routine: Incorporate your pre-shot and post-shot routines during practice to mimic real course conditions.
3. Refine the Plan: Use your practice sessions to identify areas for improvement and adjust your game plan as needed.

With focused practice, you’re not just hitting balls – you’re preparing for success.

Step 4: Post-Round Reflections

Lee Trevino believed in learning from every round, good or bad. After each game, dedicate time to reflect and refine your approach.

The 3 Questions:

1. What did I do well today? Recognise your strengths and aim to replicate them.
2. What could I have done better? Identify areas for improvement without self-criticism.
3. What can I learn for next time? Use today’s experience to fine-tune tomorrow’s plan.

This routine ensures continuous improvement and builds your confidence for every round.

Step 5: Mastering the Mental Game

Nick Faldo and Earl Woods both stressed the importance of mental preparation. Earl Woods’s training focused on instilling unshakable belief, while Faldo’s discipline emphasised focus and composure under pressure.

Strengthen Your Mind:

1. Visualise Success: Before each round, imagine yourself executing your plan perfectly.
2. Stay Composed: When things don’t go as planned, adapt without frustration.
3. Trust Your Swing: Confidence in your preparation leads to confidence on the course.

“A strong mind creates a strong game.”

Your QLG Advantage

At QLG, we integrate the wisdom of the Legends with cutting-edge coaching techniques to give you the tools to excel.

Whether it’s crafting a strategic game plan, practicing with purpose, or mastering your mental game, QLG offers a comprehensive approach to help you achieve your goals.

The QLG Coaching Programme is PERFECT for You if…

You’ve worked hard on your swing. You’ve refined your mechanics. But something’s missing.

You know golf is a mental game, and you’re ready to unlock the real key to peak performance: your mind.

This is what we call the 80-20 Rule – where 80% of Success lies in Mindset and Mental Preparation, and only 20% in mechanics.

QLG is Perfect for YOU if…

✔ You love the game and want to take your performance to new heights
✔ You believe golf is won in the mind and want to develop the mental resilience to excel
✔ You’re ready to cultivate Complete Trust in Your Swing and Total Belief in Your Abilities
✔ You’re looking for a structured, proven coaching system that delivers breakthroughs in performance

If any of this resonates, then QLG is your next step.

Why QLG?

QLG isn’t just coaching – it’s a partnership. A personal, tailored experience designed to bring out the best in you and your golf.

You’ll work directly with Coach A.P. O’Neill, Founder of QLG, applying cutting-edge brain-training techniques, mental strategies, and elite performance methods to your game.

With QLG, you’ll experience the 5-Star Treatment – a coaching approach built around personalisation, practical results, and an unwavering commitment to your success.

Imagine stepping onto the course with:

✅ A calm, focused mind
✅ A natural, balanced, and confident swing
✅ The ability to overcome challenges with ease

QLG isn’t just about playing better golf; it’s about transforming how you think and approach the game entirely.

Train your Mind. Trust your Swing. Take your Quantum Leap.

The Power of Mental Rehearsal and The Legend of Major James Nesmeth

Imagine being confined in a coffin-like bamboo cage, cut off from the world, with nothing to distract you but your thoughts. This was the reality for Major James Nesmeth, a devoted golfer and prisoner of war in Vietnam. Deprived of his freedom and any external stimulation, Nesmeth turned inward, finding escape in his mind.

Legend has it that every day of his seven-year captivity, he played a full round of golf in his imagination (a form of Mental Rehearsal). He vividly recreated one of his favourite courses, immersing himself in its sights, sounds, and even the smells. He envisioned the feel of the grass underfoot, the sweet sound of club striking ball, and even the camaraderie of playing with friends.

Each shot was deliberate, each detail brought to life by his imagination. He visualised different weather conditions, adjusted his clothing accordingly, and even challenged himself with tricky pin placements.

When Major Nesmeth was finally freed, legend has it that he’d dropped nearly 20 strokes off his game – despite not having touched a golf club for over seven years.

The Science Behind the Legend

While some may dismiss this story or find it hard to believe, modern neuroscience supports its validity. The subconscious mind – which is also the body – does not know the difference between a real experience (taken in through the 5 senses), or one that has been vividly imagined and created only in the mind, ie Mental Rehearsal.

And that means; every time you remember a bad shot in your mind, question your abilities, or succumb to doubt, you’re unknowingly reinforcing those negative patterns which influence your performance – in a negative way.

But the reverse is equally true. When you spend time visualising yourself performing at your peak – hitting perfect drives, sinking tricky putts, and playing with confidence – you are conditioning your mind and body for success.

Mental Rehearsal primes you for peak performance, aligning the power of your subconscious mind with the outcomes you desire.

Unlocking the Power of Your Mind with QLG

Mental rehearsal is just one of the transformative tools taught in the QLG Coaching Programme. Imagine having a structured, proven system to harness the power of your mind, helping you to:

• Build Belief and Trust in your Abilities
• Develop a Winning Mindset, no matter the circumstances
• Programme yourself for Consistent, Peak Performance

Discover the secrets behind legends like Major Nesmeth and take your game to a whole new level. With QLG Coaching, you’ll not only learn about mental rehearsal – you’ll master it.

SWING THOUGHTS: what are you thinking?

Imagine this: You’re standing over the ball, ready to make your shot. The sun is warm on your face, the grass feels soft underfoot, and everything should be perfect – except your mind won’t stop thinking. One swing thought after another: Keep the left arm straight. Rotate the hips. Don’t come over the top.

Sound familiar?

For many golfers, this is the reality of every round. But what if it didn’t have to be this way?

“Each time he addressed the ball his mind was occupied with swing thoughts. Different thoughts that changed each time he played, depending on what he thought the problem was this time.”

That’s the opening line from Total Belief Golf, and it captures the heart of a problem faced by so many golfers.

• Instead of trusting your swing, you’re constantly tweaking it
• Where certainty should prevail, doubt and indecision take over
• When you need clarity of mind, you have a head full of swing thoughts

The Key to the Next Level

Here’s the truth: You already have the swing.

Think about the hours you’ve spent practicing, analysing, and refining your technique. Your body has been trained. The skills are there. But instead of allowing your swing to shine, you let your mind interfere.

Now it’s time for a shift. It’s time to change your thinking.

Picture this: You stand over the ball, your mind clear and focused. There’s no second-guessing, no over-analysis – just a clear and vivid visualisation of the shot you’re about to execute. Moments later, in finish position; you’re now watching the very shot you imagined reproduced into reality – exactly as you imagined it.

It’s not magic; it’s the power of a focused, disciplined mind.

Introducing the QLG Pre-Shot Routine

At QLG, we’ve developed The Outcome-Focused Pre-Shot Routine – a revolutionary shift in how you approach every shot. This isn’t about adding more thoughts – it’s about removing them entirely and playing with pure trust and clarity.

• Freedom: No more doubt, no more second-guessing
• Clarity: A single, crystal-clear focus on the outcome you desire
• Consistency: A repeatable routine that works across every club in your bag

With this process, you’re not thinking your way through a shot – you’re executing it. The distractions are gone, and all that remains is the certainty of seeing your vision become reality.

Experience the Breakthrough for Yourself

Imagine stepping onto the course with a mind free from interference, a swing free from tension, and a game built on complete trust. That’s what the QLG Pre-Shot Routine delivers.

If you’re tired of swing thoughts holding you back, the solution is here. It’s time to trust your training, let go of the noise, and take your game to the next level.

What’s REALLY Holding You Back: The 3 Mental Barriers That Hold Golfers Back

And how QLG helps you break free of them

Golf isn’t just played with clubs—it’s played with the mind. And for most golfers, their biggest opponent isn’t the course… it’s themselves.

You know the feeling: You strike it beautifully on the range, but when it matters, your game crumbles. Pressure builds. Doubt creeps in. Focus disappears. But why?

Because there are three invisible mental barriers that are holding you back. And until you remove them, your true potential will stay locked away.

“Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn to manage the game’s two ultimate adversaries: the course and yourself.” – Jack Nicklaus

Mental Barrier #1: Failing to Control and Use Your #1 Asset – Your Mind

🔹 The Problem:
You’ve trained your swing, bought the gear, and taken lessons. But what about your mind?

Most golfers have never learned how to control their thoughts—or even realised that their thoughts are the real reason they underperform.

Negative self-talk, emotional swings, poor focus, and mental chaos sabotage you from within. You aren’t losing to your swing—you’re losing to your thinking.

🔹 QLG Fix:
At QLG, we train your mind like a tour pro trains their body.

You’ll learn how to stay calm under pressure, block distractions, and choose powerful thoughts that elevate performance. This isn’t feel-good motivation. This is mental mastery.

Your mind is your most powerful club – QLG shows you how to use it.

Mental Barrier #2: Paralysis by Analysis – Instead of Trusting Your Swing

🔹 The Problem:
Golfers obsess over mechanics. They overthink their swing, try to “fix” it mid-round, and stack up endless thoughts before each shot. The result? Hesitation, tension, and inconsistent performance.

Paralysis by Analysis – Instead of Learning to Trusting Your Swing

🔹 QLG Fix:
QLG clears the clutter and teaches you how to trust the swing you’ve already built. Our process installs clarity, simplicity, and a powerful outcome-focused routine that brings freedom back to your game.

Play with instinct, not instruction. That’s the QLG way.

Mental Barrier #3: Lack of Total Belief in Your Abilities

🔹 The Problem:
You’ve hit great shots before. You’ve had amazing rounds. But when the pressure hits, doubt creeps in. One small hesitation. One flicker of uncertainty. And suddenly the whole round begins to unravel.

🔹 QLG Fix:
We show you how to transform your thoughts into trust, your doubts into dominance, and your potential into performance.

Your body already knows how to swing the club. QLG teaches you to ‘get out of your own way’ and develop Total Belief in your abilities as a golfer – that’s the gateway to the next level of performance, and the edge you’ve been missing.

It’s Time for Your Quantum Leap

Every serious golfer hits these mental walls. But only a few break through.

QLG gives you the tools to think like a champion, trust like a pro, and perform like never before. This isn’t theory. It’s transformation.

Train your mind. Trust your swing. Take your Quantum Leap.

What is the Role of the Mind in Golf?

Imagine this: You’re standing on the tee box, the breeze brushing past, the fairway stretching ahead. Your body feels relaxed, your mind is clear, and you instinctively know this shot will be perfect. No second-guessing, no overthinking – just you, your swing, and the ball, working in seamless harmony.

How do you get there? The answer lies in the mind.

First: Train the Body

Think about when you first learned to walk. To begin with you couldn’t walk at all. But through trial and error and the help others, you learned how to walk, and now you can walk (or run) without thinking, instruction or conscious control.

The swing is more complex, but it’s the same process.

You consciously study the mechanics of swing, through analysis you gain understanding and through repetition you consciously learn the skills and teach the body how to swing. In the process you create a subconscious programme that enables you to swing without instruction or conscious control.

Back to walking; you never question your ability or attempt to instruct yourself as you walk. Instead you INSTINCTIVELY TRUST YOURSELF – you decide where you want to walk to, and the subconscious/body makes it happen for you.

And yet, unlike walking, many golfers constantly second-guess their swing. They question their ability, and they interfere with their natural instincts.

Here’s the breakthrough: When you INSTINCTIVELY TRUST YOUR SWING, your game becomes free, fluid, and natural. You decide on the shot, and your body – guided by your subconscious – makes it happen for you, almost effortlessly.

The Next Phase: Train Your Brain

Here’s where the real magic begins.

The key to unlocking your full potential is training your mind. When you shift from conscious control and interference to trusting your swing, you free yourself from doubt and hesitation.

At QLG, we teach you to harness the power of your mind by focusing on the outcome you want in vivid detail. Imagine the ball’s flight, the sound of a clean strike, and the feeling of the perfect follow-through. When your mind shows the body what’s needed, and you get out of your own way, the results can be astonishing.

A True Story of Transformation

One of our golfers, a 70-year-old gentleman, started QLG averaging scores in the low-to-mid 90s off the shorter tees. He’s since recorded a best round of 79, and is now also playing off the longer tees. Gaining 10+ shots over longer and more demanding conditions at his age is nothing short of incredible. His story is proof of what happens when you change your thinking and trust your swing.

A New State of Mind

To truly transform your game and experience a Quantum Leap, you must leave your old ways behind you and open your mind to new thinking and new possibilities – creating a new state of mind filled with energy and vitality.

At QLG, we specialise in helping golfers build this new state of mind – because real transformation starts by Changing Your Thinking.

What’s REALLY Holding You Back: The 3 Mental Barriers That Hold Golfers Back

And how QLG helps you break free of them

Golf isn’t just played with clubs—it’s played with the mind. And for most golfers, their biggest opponent isn’t the course… it’s themselves.

You know the feeling: You strike it beautifully on the range, but when it matters, your game crumbles. Pressure builds. Doubt creeps in. Focus disappears. But why?

Because there are three invisible mental barriers that are holding you back. And until you remove them, your true potential will stay locked away.

“Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn to manage the game’s two ultimate adversaries: the course and yourself.” – Jack Nicklaus

Mental Barrier #1: Failing to Control and Use Your #1 Asset – Your Mind

🔹 The Problem:
You’ve trained your swing, bought the gear, and taken lessons. But what about your mind?

Most golfers have never learned how to control their thoughts—or even realised that their thoughts are the real reason they underperform.

Negative self-talk, emotional swings, poor focus, and mental chaos sabotage you from within. You aren’t losing to your swing—you’re losing to your thinking.

🔹 QLG Fix:
At QLG, we train your mind like a tour pro trains their body.

You’ll learn how to stay calm under pressure, block distractions, and choose powerful thoughts that elevate performance. This isn’t feel-good motivation. This is mental mastery.

Your mind is your most powerful club – QLG shows you how to use it.

Mental Barrier #2: Paralysis by Analysis – Instead of Trusting Your Swing

🔹 The Problem:
Golfers obsess over mechanics. They overthink their swing, try to “fix” it mid-round, and stack up endless thoughts before each shot. The result? Hesitation, tension, and inconsistent performance.

Paralysis by Analysis – Instead of Learning to Trusting Your Swing

🔹 QLG Fix:
QLG clears the clutter and teaches you how to trust the swing you’ve already built. Our process installs clarity, simplicity, and a powerful outcome-focused routine that brings freedom back to your game.

Play with instinct, not instruction. That’s the QLG way.

Mental Barrier #3: Lack of Total Belief in Your Abilities

🔹 The Problem:
You’ve hit great shots before. You’ve had amazing rounds. But when the pressure hits, doubt creeps in. One small hesitation. One flicker of uncertainty. And suddenly the whole round begins to unravel.

🔹 QLG Fix:
We show you how to transform your thoughts into trust, your doubts into dominance, and your potential into performance.

Your body already knows how to swing the club. QLG teaches you to ‘get out of your own way’ and develop Total Belief in your abilities as a golfer – that’s the gateway to the next level of performance, and the edge you’ve been missing.

It’s Time for Your Quantum Leap

Every serious golfer hits these mental walls. But only a few break through.

QLG gives you the tools to think like a champion, trust like a pro, and perform like never before. This isn’t theory. It’s transformation.

Train your mind. Trust your swing. Take your Quantum Leap.