‘In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.’ Dwight D. Eisenhower This statement has underpinned most of my work this year. The value of strategic planing lies not in having a perfect plan, but in being prepared to adapt.

“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” Michael Porter Strategy is focus. Trying to get better at everything is lazy planning and ineffective. Quality training design requires thought and starts with choosing what not to focus on.

Really enjoyed this chat with Jonny from the @BogeyMenPod - it’s always fun to have a chat with someone — with a passion for golf and high performance — and see where it’s takes us. https://t.co/O8glx5WH7B

The importance of having a ‘style of play’ is a given in football. Yet it’s rarely mentioned in golf analysis but if I’ve one takeaway from this year so far. It’s that clarity around how you want to play (style), a model of performance, is crucial for players and their coaches.

A golf performance checklist: ✔️ or ✖️ Can I see what I want the ball to do? Can I make it do it? What environments can I do it in? ✔️ or ✖️ Practice Ground On Course Tournaments Maintain the ✔️s and Improve the ✖️s

Thoroughly enjoyed the chat Pete. One of my favourite podcasts so it was a privilege to be part of an episode.

My dream Olympic Golf format would be: Top 50 cut after 1 round Top 25 cut after 2 rounds Top 10 cut after 3 rounds It would lead aggressive play all four days and bring a fresh edge to the event while keeping the four round s’play championship format.

Really enjoyed the chat. Pete is one of my favourite people to talk shop with.

Ten years of battle and banter with @StevenRobbo45 in the books.

What Vs How. The what is key but the how is crucial. What do I want to achieve Vs How do I want to achieve it. The what provides a goal but the how provides a strategy. And a goal without a strategy is just a wish. Don’t leave performance to chance, design it.

I’m not much of a runner but I managed to complete the LauraLynn 50 miles in June Challenge. Ireland’s only children’s hospice provide amazing support to families going through the hardest journey imaginable. Very happy to support their incredible work. https://t.co/FvNsaraIrU

Sometimes the context in golf(especially professional golf) makes it difficult to have conversations like this. It takes courage but it’s crucial for player development. Say it as it is but from a place of genuine care for the player in front of you.

Performance by Design From the Inside-Out

Later in their careers they look inside themselves more. They see their best performances are as a result of understanding themselves better.

Early in their career they spend a lot of time looking outside of themselves for answers. Looking at other players, new coaches, new trends etc.

Outside-In Vs Inside-Out I found a similar pattern in the research I did on professional golfers.

Now I feel the opposite approach is what’s required. ‘What players need is already inside of them, I just need to help them learn how to get that out.’

Outside-In Vs Inside-Out Early in my career I used to take an outside-in approach. ‘What information/knowledge do I need to put in to players to help them get a quality performance out of themselves.’

Quality training design builds the belief that your good enough is good enough. Nobody rises to the occasion. Improve the quality of your ordinary days. And then aim to have ordinary performances on extraordinary occasions.

According to business research great strategy isn’t based on how you can match your competitors it’s about what makes you different. I don’t see how sport is any different. FYI working hard won’t make you different. At a certain level hard work is the minimum requirement.