The Three Zones That Changed My Golf (and Can Change Yours Too)By Paul Brown – Mind Factor Coach

Have you ever hit one poor shot and felt your whole round unravel? We’ve all been there. For years, I thought golf success was about perfecting my swing. Then I learned a simple but powerful framework that changed how I play—and how I coach. It’s all about breaking each shot into three zones and focusing on the ones you can control.

Zone One: The Pre-Shot Zone

This is where you have complete control. It’s all about your preparation, your decision-making, and your mindset before you swing.

I spend a lot of time with my students here because this is where great golf truly begins. A solid pre-shot process gives your body the best possible conditions to perform. I’ll often ask questions like:

• What does a great shot look and feel like here?

• What does the ball need to do to go in the hole?

These questions create intention. Once you’re clear on what you want to do, your body can naturally organise itself around that plan. That’s why I help each golfer develop a unique, reliable pre-shot process—because no two players are the same.

Zone Two: The Shot Itself

Here’s the kicker: once you start your swing, control is gone. All the training and preparation come together here, but in this moment, it’s about trust and attention.

I work with players to find a single point of focus in this zone, something that keeps their mind quiet. For some, it’s a target or ball flight; for others, it’s as simple as a rhythm, a body part or even a song. Personally, I’ll never forget my best-ever round because I had a tune stuck in my head the whole way round—it kept me relaxed and out of my own way. Thank you Atomic Kitten!

Zone Three: The Reaction Zone

This is where many golfers sabotage themselves without realising it. After a poor shot (inevitable for all of us in any round of golf), frustration creeps in, and suddenly your next pre-shot process (zone one) is rushed or clouded by negativity.

The truth? Your reaction is 100% within your control, shot outcomes are not. Choosing to stay composed, curious, and solution-focused in this zone will protect your confidence and keep you playing your best golf. A bad shot cannot ruin a whole round of golf, a bad reaction can.

Bringing It All Together

My coaching philosophy is simple: get really good at zone one and zone three, and you’ll give yourself the best chance to succeed in zone two. Golf is a game of intention, attention, and acceptance, and mastering these zones will transform the way you play.

Next time you’re out on the course, take a moment to notice where your focus is. Are you putting enough time into preparation? Are you letting one bad shot ruin your round? If you can improve these three zones, golf becomes less of a grind and more of a joy.