Hello, fellow golfers! Sarah Chen here, your golf instruction editor from The Daily Duffer. As a PGA-certified instructor with over 15 years on the lesson tee, I’ve had the pleasure of working with everyone from aspiring tour players to dedicated weekend warriors. My belief is simple: with the right guidance and a bit of practice, anyone can improve their game. And boy, did the recent West Coast Swing give us plenty to talk about!
The West Coast Swing always brings a mix of challenging courses and exciting stories. This year, we saw a lot of chatter about age – from the breakout performances of the 26-year-olds to the continued dominance of seasoned veterans like Justin Rose and Adam Scott. But beyond the headlines, there are always valuable lessons we can take from how these pros navigate the course and manage their game.
The Power of a Strong Start (and a Resilient Finish)
One of the most fascinating takeaways from the West Coast Swing, for me, was Scottie Scheffler’s performance. The article highlighted his strikingly inconsistent starts, noting:
“Scottie Scheffler’s first Thursday of the season was a 63 at the American Express. So it’s particularly jarring that he’s just No. 116 on Tour in Round 1 Scoring Average. And it was strange to see him in last place when play was halted this past Thursday. Still …” (followed by) “Round 1: 70.50 (116th)”
For most of us, a slow start can completely derail a round, let alone a tournament. But what makes Scheffler exceptional is his ability to bounce back. His Round 2, 3, and 4 scoring averages are phenomenal: 65.75 (2nd), 67.00 (7th), and 64.50 (2nd). This isn’t just about raw talent; it’s about mental resilience and the ability to course-correct.
In my teaching experience, I often see golfers let one bad hole, or even one bad shot, spiral into a completely ruined round. Scheffler shows us that it’s not about being perfect, it’s about how you react. He demonstrated remarkable determination to climb from last place on Friday morning to a T12 finish. That’s a lesson we can all implement in our own game.
Improving Your Round-to-Round Consistency
While we might not all have Scottie Scheffler’s “other days,” we can certainly work on minimizing those “Thursday woes” and improving overall consistency. Here are a couple of drills I recommend to my students:
Drill 1: The “Reset Button” Drill for Mental Game
When you hit a poor shot or have a bad hole, it’s easy to let frustration creep in. This drill helps you mentally reset. After a bad shot, before you approach your next shot, choose a specific, tangible action to “reset.” It could be:
- Walking a short distance, then taking three deep breaths.
- Wiping your club clean as thoroughly as possible.
- Focusing intensely on the texture of your grip for 10 seconds.
The key is to create a physical and mental break from the previous shot. This trains your brain to compartmentalize and approach each new shot with a clear mind, much like Scheffler seems to do after a challenging start to a round.
Drill 2: The Pre-Round Focus Check
Even tour pros like Scheffler can have off-days. To prevent those erratic starts, especially if you’re prone to them, make your warm-up purposeful. Before your round, don’t just hit balls aimlessly. Instead, focus on:
- Short Game First: Spend 10-15 minutes on chipping and putting. This builds confidence and gets your “scoring muscles” engaged.
- Varying Distances: Hit wedges to full swings, but focus on solid contact and target awareness rather than pure power.
- Pre-Shot Routine Rehearsal: Practice your full pre-shot routine for 3-5 shots on the range. This consistency helps you translate practice performance to the course.
This structured warm-up can prime your body and mind for the demands of the first few holes, reducing the chances of a “Thursday blip.”
The Ageless Pursuit of Improvement
Another inspiring aspect of the West Coast Swing was seeing both young guns and veteran players excel. The article highlighted the success of the 26-year-olds like Chris Gotterup and Jacob Bridgeman, but also noted the impressive performances of Justin Rose and Adam Scott, stating:
“I wish when we talk about Justin Rose and Adam Scott that we’d focus less on their age. But it’s a useful way to pair two particularly impressive West Coast showings; Rose’s blowout win at Torrey Pines is worth extra points, of course, but Scott’s Sunday 63 to finish fourth at Riviera was nothing to scoff at, either.”
This really resonates with me. Regardless of your age or experience level, the desire to improve is what keeps us coming back to the game. Seeing these players, from the fresh faces to the seasoned pros, performing at such high levels, should serve as a powerful motivator for all of us.
The article also touched on Tiger Woods’ potential Masters play, reminding us of his unwavering spirit:
“Tiger Woods hinted that he’ll try. Then he hinted that he’ll try a second time. I don’t know if he will, but I think he’s told us the truth — if he can, he’ll do it.”
That kind of determination, pushing through challenges, is a hallmark of any successful golfer. It’s not just about physical skill; it’s about a never-give-up attitude.
;)
‘Couldn’t feel my hands’: Inside Jacob Bridgeman’s terrifying Genesis finish
The Importance of Adaptability
Finally, we saw some challenging “soggy conditions” on the West Coast, which brought forth discussions about the PGA Tour schedule. While tour organizers debate logistics, for us amateur golfers, it’s a reminder of another crucial skill: adaptability.
When conditions aren’t perfect – whether it’s wet, windy, or cold – your approach needs to change. You can’t always expect firm, fast greens and sunny skies. The best players learn to adjust their club selection, swing tempo, and shot shapes to the prevailing conditions.
Drill 3: The “Conditions Challenge” Drill
The next time you’re on the range or practice green, simulate different conditions. This might sound simple, but most people just hit the same shot over and over. Instead, try this:
- Wind Simulation: Imagine a strong headwind. Practice a shorter, lower trajectory shot. Then imagine a tailwind and work on a higher, softer landing shot.
- “Soggy” Green Chipping: Place a towel or small mat on a practice green to simulate a soft, wet landing area. Practice chipping with more loft and less roll, trying to “pop” the ball up and stop it quickly.
- Cold Weather Swing: Even if it’s not cold, mentally put on an extra layer. Take a practice swing focused purely on rhythm and balance, as if you’re trying to stay warm and not overswing.
By consciously practicing these adjustments, you’ll feel much more prepared and confident when you face real-world challenging conditions on the course. Remember, golf is an outdoor sport, and perfect weather is a luxury, not a guarantee.
The recent West Coast Swing gave us excitement, drama, and incredible golf. But more importantly, it offered up a wealth of instructional gold. Embrace the mental game, dedicate yourself to purposeful practice, and always strive for that next level of improvement!
