Journaling, Routine, and the Power of Consistent Preparation in Golf
Brooks Koepka’s junior coach shares how journaling, lesson tracking, and a committed routine in all conditions build accountability, sharpen focus, and drive long-term performance.
Key Points
- System for Long-Term Tracking:
Started using 5x7 index cards in 2003 to document lesson notes, progress, and areas of focus for each junior, including Brooks Koepka. This helped track growth and maintain accountability over years of training. - Player Journaling:
Juniors were encouraged to write down what they learned during sessions and tournaments. Journaling helped them stay focused, reflect on experiences, and revisit key lessons during practice and play. - Building a Repeatable Process:
Brooks’ putting was a key area of development. A specific grip adjustment (pistol-style index finger along the shaft) helped with consistency and face control during the stroke. - Handling Real-World Conditions:
Practicing on imperfect greens (e.g., top-dressed with sand) was used as a teaching moment—players must adapt to different conditions, stay present, and stick to their process. - Brooks’ Putting Routine:
Developed a detailed pre-putt routine:
Clean the putter faceSet up squareLook at the hole for distance (using optic nerves to judge feel)Execute using shoulder movement - The Honda Classic Lesson:
At a Pro-Am, Brooks was underperforming with the putter. The coach noticed he wasn’t following his usual routine. Brooks admitted he was saving his focus for the real tournament the next day.
Lesson: “You can’t flip the switch in 24 hours—you have to practice how you play.” Once he returned to his full routine, he made 6 birdies in the next 12 holes. - Core Takeaway:
Preparation and routine are non-negotiable. Even elite players fall into habits of “going through the motions,” but great performance comes from treating every round—even practice—with focus and intention.
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26 videos1hr 27min