How the DECADE Golf System Helped Me Become a Plus HandicapĀ
I’m a "golf sicko" (aka obsessed) and will do whatever it takes to improve. I even quit my corporate career in 2017 to go all in on golf and entrepreneurship.
Unfortunately, I didn’t discover DECADE until 2022—a realization I wish had come much sooner. Back in 2019, when I competed in Q-School, I was completely unaware of these game-changing principles. Looking back, understanding and applying them might have been the difference between advancing to the next stage or falling a few shots short.
But better late than ever - keep reading to learn how DECADE transformed my game and might be just what you need. You can also read my full DECADE Golf review here and if you’re ready to get started, use the code “WICKEDSMART” to save 20% on your membership.
The DECADE Golf System is a Literal Game-Changer
What I love about DECADE is that it can help your game from tee to green, not to mention your mental game. Here’s how I’ve applied this system to become a plus handicap and play better than ever in tournaments.
Tee Box Strategy
The data is clear - lower handicap golfers hit it longer off the tee. But when should you hit the driver, when should you dial back to 3-wood? Before DECADE, I would just guess and hope for the best.
Now that I understand the principles of DECADE and the driver decision tree, I never doubt when to hit the driver or dial back. Plus, this system and several interviews I’ve had with Scott Fawcett (the creator) has taught me to hit one shot shape.
Now, I exclusively play a fade and haven’t tried to draw a driver since learning this system. My driving has never been better and one of those strategies I wish I learned earlier in my career.
Approach Shot Strategy
DECADE has helped me off the tee but just as much into the green. Just like longer drivers are associated with lower handicaps, the same goes with greens in regulation. It’s the one traditional stat that still holds up.
Learning this system has helped me hit more greens by choosing better targets. I also carry a DECADE Golf cheat sheet in my yardage book, so I always know when to fire at the flag (and when to favor the center of the green).
Plus, just like a driver, opting to hit one stock shot has also helped my consistency a ton.
Stat Tracking
Aside from course management strategy, I love the stat tracking inside DECADE. While you do have to log the data after each round (unlike Arccos), it’s worth it. Now, logging my stats is part of my post-round ritual to get closure about the round and learn more about my game.
The stat tracking helps you understand:
- The Tiger 5 mistakes: Which include 3 putts per round, double bogeys per round, par 5 bogeys, bogey from inside 150, and double chips per round.
- Scoring: Broken down by different pars, scoring from fairway/rough, etc.
- Off the tee and approach shots: Easily identify tee shots missing left/right, driver selection, penalty shots, greens in regulation, and a lot more.
- Short game: Broken down by rough, sand, and fairway saves.
Practice Tips
Not only is DECADE a great system to learn course management and track your stats, it’s filled with practical advice. Inside the program, you will learn tons of tips to help improve each practice session.
Most of my driving range/SIM sessions follow what I’ve learned from Scott and helped build a more consistent game. Whenever I’m putting, I'll do the Simulated Putting drill, which helps learn about your putting (using strokes gained) and adds a pressure element to your sessions.
The DECADE Golf app also has other features to improve your range session, so you practice with purpose.
Mental Game
Another reason DECADE is “wicked smart approved” is that it doesn’t skimp on the mental game. While course management and practice are key, so many systems and gurus totally neglect the mental game. But it’s the first pillar of Wicked Smart Golf for a reason - it makes a huge difference.
After interviewing Scot Fawcett three times, one theme has emerged in each episode. Mindset is everything!
Scott openly discusses how meditation is Tiger’s superpower and helped him (and countless other golfers he works with). I love Scott’s take on the mindset piece and there's a great emphasis on pre-shot routines as well inside DECADE.
Yardage Books
Plus, if you’re someone that plays tournament golf, they have a yardage book feature too. This makes it easy to assess your driving targets on each hole to choose the right club.
For example, here are my three tee shot options:
- Driver = 290
- Mini driver = 270
- 2-Hybrid = 245
Once I input this, it overlays these distances on each hole of the course to show where they will end up. Which makes it easier to create a strategy before the round and not think as much during the event.
You can print these yardage books out as well (how many you get depends on the plan). But I prefer to use PuttView as I like the green reading features too. I generate these numbers from DECADE, then manually write into Puttview to help my confidence on the course.
Ongoing Learning
Finally, DECADE is always evolving and Scott does regular webinars and analyzes his tournament rounds. Not only does he teach this stuff, he’s a hell of a player too and has made it to the finals for Champion Tour Q-School. It’s always great to learn from someone that is in the fight and applying the principles behind this proven system.
Closing Thoughts
I’ve played in more than 300 tournament days since 2017 and wish I would’ve learned this stuff sooner. DECADE Golf has absolutely changed my game and one of the reasons I’ve become a plus handicap.
Before this system, I had no real structure to my course management and played off emotions (which led to some nasty blowup holes). But once you learn how to pick targets and clubs based on shot dispersion, everything gets easier.
If you’re someone that enjoys learning, wants a proven system (used by hundreds of pros and college players), this is for you. In most of my events, almost everyone follows the “DECADE” strategy and truly a revolutionary approach.
Stop wasting shots and start learning how to think your way to lower scores. It's a system that will stick with you for the rest of your career and no doubt make golf a lot easier.
>>Get started with DECADE Golf to take your game to the next level (use code “WICKEDSMART” to save 20%). If you want more info on DECADE, watch this video below.
