After working with junior, college, and professional players, I’ve found that the difference in scoring almost always comes down to three decisions that happen every single round.
1. Your Intent Off the Tee
Most juniors aim based on where they want the ball to go, without accounting for whether there’s enough room to miss. Better players know exactly how much room they have off the tee and aim according to their shot pattern. That’s a significant difference. Great players pick targets that account for their natural dispersion. They give themselves space to miss and keep the ball in play. Most juniors haven’t mapped out a plan for their tee shots, which leads to uncommitted targets and uncommitted swings. That one decision alone can save multiple shots per round.
2. Where You Miss Your Approach Shots
This is the most overlooked skill in junior golf. We all miss shots. In fact, if you saw the actual shot dispersions of tour professionals, they miss far more than most people would expect. The question isn’t whether you’ll miss, it’s where you’ll miss. Think about it this way: if you hit 10 shots at a par 3, your second-worst shot is essentially guaranteed to happen at some point. The real question is whether that miss will end up in a manageable spot or a costly one. The same off-target shot with a poor target versus the right target can be a two-shot swing. I see it constantly. The mishit that catches the edge of the green versus the one that ends up short-sided in a bunker. Golf is a game of managing misses. Elite players pick targets that give them the lowest possible scoring expectation, not the most aggressive line.
3. Managing Expectations
Most junior golfers expect perfect shots. They step into every swing trying to hit it exactly at the target, as if that’s the standard. It’s not. Golf is a game of patterns, not precision. Great players miss their intended target far more often than not. The difference is they plan for it. Juniors get frustrated when the ball doesn’t go exactly where they aimed. Better players expect variance and build it into their decisions before they ever pull a club. They understand their dispersion. They choose targets that allow for a normal miss. They accept that no shot will be perfect. Because of that, they stay more level-headed, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and make better decisions under pressure. Lower scores don’t come from hitting perfect shots. They come from expecting imperfect ones and managing them correctly.
The Takeaway
If you’re a junior golfer or a parent focused on improving scores, it’s time to shift the focus. Stop only asking: “How do I hit it better?” Start asking: “Did I make the right decision?” Because in competitive golf, your score isn’t just a reflection of your swing. It’s a reflection of your decisions. College coaches care about decisions.
About The Author
Chris Petefish is a former top-288 world-ranked player who competed on the PGA Tour Korn Ferry for three years and holds PGA Tour Americas status. He most recently shot 66 to win his US Open Local Qualifier and earn medalist honors. Chris is the Co-Founder and Scoring and Performance Coach at Course of Action Golf, where for over a decade he has helped junior golfers develop the skills and mindset to excel at the collegiate level.
