How do golf clubs keep players engaged and members happy? One useful approach is the framework of small wins by Karl Weick. This idea emphasizes breaking down big challenges into bite-sized, achievable victories – small wins. The concept has since been widely adopted across management, education, psychology, and sports.
The Small Wins Framework
Weick theorizes that big, complex challenges are often overwhelming and paralyzing for most people. Breaking such challenges into “small wins” makes them manageable, builds momentum, and produces visible progress.
As he described it, every small win is a:
So why do small wins feel so good?
Satisfaction and Confidence
One explanation is that, according to the Self-Determination Theory, humans have basic psychological needs, and when those needs are satisfied, we feel motivated, accomplished, and happy. For golf, that means that a round full of mini successes (“I saved par there!” or “I finally hit the fairway”) keeps satisfaction high even if the final score isn’t perfect. When golfers' psychological needs are met through frequent, attainable successes, they stay motivated and keep coming back.
Another theory that reinforces the idea of small wins leading to higher levels of happiness is the Self-Efficacy Theory. This theory builds on the belief that what matters most for performance is your belief in your own ability to execute actions required for success; your confidence. This means that every small win alters a feeling of success and boosts self-efficacy. Over time, these small wins build a confidence-performance loop where each win (no matter how small) leads to higher belief in oneself, better execution, and more wins.
Small wins in golf do more than just make the scorecard look better. They feed our basic need to feel competent and give us the confidence to believe we can do it again. That combination of satisfaction and self-belief is what keeps the game addictive – one good shot at a time.
Small Wins in Your Golf Club
So, what are some small wins that you can focus on when your members golf? We have curated a list to help you, and your players, stay satisfied and confident in your golfing journeys.
On the course
- Saving par after trouble (e.g., scrambling from the rough or sand).
- Hitting the fairway after a string og wayward drives.
- Making a tricky 5-10 foot putt to keep momentum alive.
- Avoiding a blow-up hole (taking a bogey instead of a triple).
- Rebounding after a bad shot with a solid recovery swing.
- Stringing together a few consistent holes, even if they're pars and bogeys.
- Breaking a personal milestone like finishing a hole without a three-putt.
In practice
- Nailing a new drill for the first time.
- Consistently hitting center contact on the range.
- Reducing misses (e.g., slicing less severely than before).
- Completing a practice challenge (like getting 3 chips inside a hula hoop).
Psychological wins
- Staying calm after a bad hole instead of letting frustration spiral.
- Sticking to your pre-shot routine under pressure.
- Playing smarter course management (laying up instead of forcing a hero shot).
Small wins in golf aren’t limited by the scorecard – they’re everywhere, so make sure to notice them, celebrate them, and let them fuel your game. Golf will always be a mix of highs and lows, but when you learn to stack up the little victories, the journey becomes far more rewarding. After all, it’s the small wins that keep you smiling, coming back, and chasing that next great shot.
