Second chances gone wrong: a relatable golf lesson.

As a lifestyle editor, I’m always looking for those moments in golf that transcend the scorecard, that reveal a deeper truth about the human experience on and off the course. This week, the TGL delivered one of those moments, showcasing not just incredible golf, but a relatable human drama that hit close to home for anyone who’s ever faced unexpected pressure.

We all know the feeling, right? That crucial shot, that make-or-break moment where everything seems to ride on one swing. Now, imagine that, but with a twist – a surprise ruling, a second chance, and the agonizing realization that sometimes, even a mulligan isn’t enough. That’s exactly what happened to two-time major champion Xander Schauffele at the recent TGL double-header, and it offers us some fascinating insights into resilience, pressure, and the art of bouncing back (or trying to).

The Mulligan That Wasn’t (Quite)

Picture it: Schauffele, representing New York Golf Club, is in a nail-biting singles match against Ludvig Aberg. He’s in a right greenside bunker, a tricky spot, and as he sets up for the shot, Bay Golf Club’s Wyndham Clark decides to “throw the Hammer,” a TGL rule that doubles the points for the hole. A bold move, adding immense pressure. Here’s where it gets interesting.

His teammates decline the Hammer, but Schauffele, already committed, hits his bunker shot anyway. It’s not good – still in the sand. But then, a rules official intervenes. After video review, they determine that the Hammer was thrown too late, after Xander had already addressed his ball. The ruling? The Hammer is wiped, and Schauffele gets a mulligan on his bunker shot. A rare gift in professional golf!

“So the official ruled that the Hammer would be wiped out (as well as New York’s decision to decline it). Instead of forfeiting the hole, Schauffele would get a mulligan on his bunker shot.”

Sounds like a silver lining, right? A second chance to make things right. But here’s the kicker – he hit it back into the bunker again. The hole was ultimately forfeited anyway, and his team eventually lost the match. It’s a vivid reminder that even with a do-over, sometimes the mental game is harder to reset than the physical one.

The Human Element: Pressure, Perception, and Perspective

What can we, as everyday golfers and people navigating the challenges of life, take from this? I think there are a few wonderful lessons here about the human side of the game.

Firstly, the power of mental reset. Schauffele himself admitted, despite getting a mulligan on a really bad shot:

“Yeah, it netted out terrible for us. We were going to decline it anyways, and then I hit such a bad shot, they didn’t even have an opportunity to throw a hammer, so it actually worked out worse.”

This tells us that sometimes, the damage of a situation isn’t just in the physical execution, but in the mental toll it takes. Even a literal second chance might not erase the frustration or tension of the first attempt. For us, this translates to remembering to truly reset. A bad shot, a lost deal at work, a misstep in a personal project – sometimes, just technically starting over isn’t enough. We need to reset our minds, clear the slate, and approach the “do-over” with fresh eyes and a calm perspective.

Secondly, the external view versus the internal experience. Wyndham Clark, the player who threw the Hammer, felt the official’s ruling was questionable from his perspective, despite understanding why it happened.

“I look at him, and he hadn’t done it, and he kind of nodded saying you could do it. Granted, Xander was standing over the ball. I could see why they called it that way, but at the same time, the ref that was there gave us the okay,” Clark argued. “It could have been really controversial.”

This perfectly illustrates how even in clear-cut situations (like a video review leading to a ruling), different parties have different interpretations and feelings about fairness. In our own lives, how often do we feel wronged or justified, only to realize that others have a completely valid, albeit different, perspective? Practicing empathy and considering others’ points of view can save a lot of unnecessary conflict, both on and off the course.

Actionable Takeaways for Your Game and Life

So, how can we apply these insights to our own golf game and our daily lives?

1. Master the Mental Reset: After a bad shot, don’t just physically walk to your ball. Take a moment. Take a deep breath. Visualize the shot you *want* to hit, not the one you just flubbed. Many pros use trigger words or routines to help them reset. Find what works for you. In life, if you make a mistake, acknowledge it, learn from it, and then consciously release it before moving on to the next task. Dwelling rarely improves the next outcome.
2. Embrace Imperfection, Even with a Second Chance: Schauffele’s second bunker shot wasn’t perfect, and that’s okay. Sometimes, our best isn’t enough, even with a do-over. The key is to keep trying, keep learning. Don’t let the pursuit of perfection paralyze your progress.
3. Communication is Key: The confusion around the Hammer rule highlights the importance of clear communication. Whether it’s with your playing partners, your colleagues, or your family, ensure expectations and rules are understood. A quick clarification can prevent a major headache in the long run.
4. Control the Controllables: Schauffele couldn’t control the rule interpretation or the timing of the Hammer. What he could control was his focus and his swing. We all face external variables. Learn to identify what you can influence and put your energy there, rather than lamenting what’s beyond your reach.

This incident might have been a minor blip for Schauffele in the grand scheme of his career, but for us, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the psychology of golf under pressure. It’s a reminder that even the best in the world grapple with the unexpected, and that a strong mental game is as crucial as a flawless swing – sometimes, even more so. Here’s hoping your next shot, and your next challenge, is met with renewed focus and a touch more grace than Xander’s famous mulligan.