Unlock Lasting Performance By Training Your Mind First

Substantia Golf blends elite mental coaching, sports science, and structured technical development to help serious players perform under pressure, think sharper, and score lower on and off the course.

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Mindset First

Mindset First

Mental resilience is the foundation of consistent performance

Elite Frameworks

Elite Frameworks

Proven psychology techniques from military and sports science

Personalised Development

Structured, Personalised Development

Tailored training plans based on your unique mental game

Technical Meets Mental

Technical Meets Mental

Integrated approach combining swing mechanics with psychology

Serious Players

Trusted by Serious Players

Working with committed amateurs and single-figure handicappers

Psychology

UK Based, Globally Available

In-person and virtual coaching for players nationwide and internationally

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Take our scientifically-designed personality assessment to understand your mental game strengths and unlock personalized coaching insights.

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Passionate About Helping Golfers Succeed

Lincoln 'Bendy' Stephens

About Bendy

Lincoln "Bendy" Stephens discovered his calling through his own mental battlefield. After serving in the military and navigating the challenges of PTSD and neurodivergence, he found that golf became more than a game—it became his laboratory for understanding how the mind works under pressure.

What started as personal healing evolved into a mission to help other golfers break through their mental barriers. Lincoln combines his military background with deep study of sports psychology, drawing from proven frameworks by Dr. Bob Rotella, Dr. Raymond Prior, and Karl Morris. His neurodivergent perspective allows him to spot cognitive patterns that others miss, making him uniquely skilled at decoding how each player's mind operates in high-pressure situations.

His Approach

Lincoln's coaching philosophy centers on building what he calls "mental armor"—the psychological resilience that allows players to perform their best when it matters most. He integrates traditional technical coaching with military stress inoculation techniques, applied sports psychology, and biometric feedback to create a comprehensive training system.

His method isn't about positive thinking or quick fixes. It's about rewiring the brain's response to pressure through structured, practical work that creates lasting change. Players learn to transform mental noise into focused energy, turning their biggest psychological challenges into competitive advantages.

His Players

Lincoln works almost exclusively with committed amateur golfers and single-figure handicappers who know they have more to give. His ideal clients are players who:

• Perform well in practice but struggle in competition
• Want to move beyond "just relax" advice to real mental training
• Are ready to invest in the psychological side of their game with the same intensity they bring to their swing

Whether you're trying to break through a scoring plateau or seeking the mental edge that separates good players from great ones, Lincoln helps serious golfers train their minds like elite athletes.

Because he's walked the path from mental chaos to breakthrough performance, Lincoln understands what it takes to build a game that thrives under pressure—not just survives it.

Coaching Services

Performance Evaluation & Player Assessment

What's Included:

  • Mental routines and stress response
  • Swing patterns via video & stats
  • Mobility and physical readiness (TPI screen)
  • Practice habits and playing strategy

Outcome:

A full player development report and training plan tailored to your goals.

Price: £95 (90 mins, in person or virtual)

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Performance Session (Mind + Mechanics)

What's Included:

  • Targeted technical drills
  • Decision-making under pressure
  • Pre- and post-shot mental routines
  • Biometric or video feedback as needed

Outcome:

Best For: Players seeking continuous, structured improvement with accountability.

Price: £80 (60 mins)

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On-Course Tactical Session

What's Included:

  • Course management and shot selection
  • Competitive mindset development
  • Between-shot recovery routines
  • Playing with discipline under pressure

Outcome:

Sharper strategy, better scoring decisions, improved emotional control.

Price: £150 (9 holes) / £225 (18 holes)

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Mental Performance Programme (4-Week Block)

What's Included:

  • Stress inoculation techniques
  • Focus training, breathing, recovery
  • Cognitive resilience frameworks (military & sport)
  • Custom pre-round mental plans

Outcome:

Includes: Session summaries, guided practice tasks, and WhatsApp support between sessions.

Price: £280 (4 x 60 mins + resources)

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Swing & Biomechanics Package

What's Included:

  • High-speed video, biomechanics screening, and technical work
  • Force generation, sequencing, posture
  • Mobility restrictions linked to swing flaws
  • Swing speed and efficiency training

Outcome:

Best For: Serious players stuck in mechanical patterns or rebuilding with intent.

Price: £240 (3 x 60 mins)

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Golf Fitness Programme (6 Weeks)

What's Included:

  • TPI-based mobility and strength training
  • Golf-specific conditioning and injury prevention
  • Functional training aligned with swing goals
  • Optional integration with your coach/PT

Outcome:

Includes: Access to training plans and recorded mobility drills.

Price: £275 (Initial screen + 5 x sessions)

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Competition Caddying & Mental Support

What's Included:

  • Pre-round briefing & planning
  • Shot-by-shot coaching on focus, commitment, and tempo
  • Performance review post-round

Outcome:

Best For: Players under pressure—county, scratch team, amateur tour, or qualifiers.

Price: £180 (9 holes) / £300 (18 holes) + expenses

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Full Season Coaching Plan

What's Included:

  • Fortnightly coaching sessions
  • Mental performance integration
  • Physical training + progress tracking
  • Tournament support + WhatsApp access

Outcome:

Includes: Performance reviews, match play analysis, and flexible scheduling.

Price: £1,200 (3-month plan) / £4,000 (year plan)

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What Clients Say

"I used to fall apart on the back nine when I had a good score going. Lincoln helped me understand that my brain was hijacking my swing. Now I have routines that keep me steady when the pressure's on. Shot my best round ever last month—68 with people watching."

Andy L., 43, 4.6 handicap

"The mental side was always my weakness. I'd hit it pure on the range then spray it everywhere in competition. Lincoln showed me how to train my focus like I was training my swing. The difference in my tournament play has been massive."

Ben C., 36, 5 handicap

"What clicked for me was when Lincoln explained how my military background was actually working against me on the course—too much tension, too much control. He taught me to harness that discipline without strangling my swing. I'm playing the best golf of my life."

Matt J., 40, 8 handicap

"I've always been a head case under pressure. Lincoln didn't just tell me to relax—he gave me actual tools to manage my nerves. The biometric feedback showed me exactly when I was getting tight. Now I catch it before it ruins my round."

Tom P., 28, 3.9 handicap

"I was stuck in this loop of overthinking every shot. Lincoln helped me build a pre-shot routine that actually works when my heart's pounding. It's like having a mental reset button. My bad rounds aren't disasters anymore."

Chris D., 34, 6 handicap

"The breakthrough came when Lincoln helped me see that my ADHD wasn't a handicap—it was an advantage if I channeled it right. He taught me to use my rapid-fire thinking to read the course better. I'm seeing shots I never saw before."

Richard W., 45, 2 handicap

"I thought I just needed to fix my swing. Turns out my swing was fine—it was the war going on in my head that was the problem. Lincoln helped me quiet the noise and trust what I'd trained. My confidence has never been higher."

James K., 31, 7 handicap

"After struggling with depression, golf was one of the few things that brought me joy. But then the pressure to perform started killing that joy. Lincoln helped me remember why I love this game while still competing at a high level. Game-changer."

Ollie F., 26, 1 handicap

"I'm a perfectionist which was destroying my course management. Lincoln taught me that sometimes good enough is perfect. My decision-making has improved massively and I'm taking way fewer big numbers."

Dan H., 38, 3.2 handicap

"I've been playing off single figures for years but always felt like I was fighting myself out there. Lincoln showed me how to get out of my own way. The game feels easier now, more natural. I'm actually enjoying pressure situations."

Steve M., 47, 9 handicap

Ready to Get Started?

Contact me to book your first session or ask any questions. I look forward to helping you play your best golf!

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