Hello, golf enthusiasts! Sarah Chen here, your trusted instruction editor with The Daily Duffer. As we watch the PGA Tour transition from the West Coast Swing to the sunny fairways of Florida for the Cognizant Classic, it’s a perfect time to reflect on what separates the contenders from the rest of the field. What makes players like Ben Griffin, Jacob Bridgeman, and Shane Lowry consistently perform at such a high level?
While natural talent plays a role, a significant part of their success comes down to consistent, well-executed fundamentals and a relentless pursuit of improvement. In my 15+ years of teaching high-level amateurs and professionals, I’ve seen firsthand how anyone, with the right approach and proper instruction, can elevate their game. Today, let’s explore some key elements we can learn from these top players, focusing on how consistency in your practice directly translates to consistency on the course.
Building a Consistent Swing: It Starts with the Basics
When you look at a player like Ben Griffin, who had three PGA Tour victories in 2025 and a T4 finish at last year’s Cognizant Classic, you see a golfer whose swing provides a reliable foundation. Consistency isn’t about hitting every shot perfectly, it’s about minimizing your misses and knowing exactly what your swing is going to do under pressure.
Many amateur golfers chase power, but often at the expense of control. My philosophy is always: control first, then power. Let’s dial in your core swing mechanics to build that consistency.
“Heading into this week’s Cognizant Classic at PGA National, three-time PGA Tour winner Ben Griffin is the betting favorite with +1400 odds-to-win.”
What makes a player like Griffin a betting favorite isn’t just his recent wins, but the belief that his game will hold up under scrutiny. That belief comes from countless hours of refinement.
Drill 1: The One-Third Backswing Check
This drill helps you feel the correct takeaway and club position, which is crucial for a consistent swing plane.
- Setup: Address the ball as usual with a 7-iron.
- Action: Take the club back slowly until your lead arm is parallel to the ground. Your club shaft should be parallel to your target line, and the clubface should be slightly open (pointing somewhere between the ground and the sky, depending on your grip).
- Check: Pause here. Look down. Is your club in the right position? Are your wrists hinged correctly? Resist the urge to rush.
- Repetition: Make 10-15 slow repetitions, focusing only on this first movement. Then, try to incorporate this feeling into a full swing, stopping at the top for a moment before transitioning.
This drill helps engrain the feeling of a proper takeaway, setting the stage for the rest of your swing.
Mastering Pressure: The Mental Game and Practice
Think about Jacob Bridgeman, holding off Rory McIlroy to win the Genesis Invitational the previous week. That’s not just physical prowess; that’s mental fortitude. The best players have a steely resolve under pressure, born from confidence in their preparation.
“Bridgeman held off a charging Rory McIlroy to win the Genesis Invitational by one shot.”
My students often ask me how to “get better under pressure.” The answer isn’t magic; it’s deliberate practice that simulates pressure scenarios.
Drill 2: The “Only One Ball” Drill
This drill is fantastic for simulating on-course pressure on the range and improving your focus on each shot.
- Setup: You’re on the practice range. Choose a specific target (a flag, a yardage marker, a tree).
- Action: Instead of hitting a bucket of balls mindlessly, pick out just ONE golf ball. Imagine this is the 18th hole of a tournament. Your entire round depends on this shot.
- Routine: Go through your full pre-shot routine – alignment, visualization, practice swings. Then hit that single ball with the utmost focus and commitment.
- Evaluate: Acknowledge the result, positive or negative. What did you feel? What could have been better?
- Repeat: Walk away from your bag, take a moment, then select another single ball. Repeat the process.
This forces you to commit to every shot, just like you have to on the course. It builds mental resilience and focus, transforming your practice into a performance simulator.
The Scoring Zone: Short Game and Putting Excellence
Even the pros hit bad shots. What separates them is often their ability to recover and score around the greens. Players like Shane Lowry, one of Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes, exemplify this short-game artistry.
“Bridgeman is neck-and-neck with one of Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes, Shane Lowry (+1800).”
A strong short game saves strokes and keeps your confidence high, even when your long game isn’t perfect. It’s the ultimate scoring equalizer.
Drill 3: The “Ladder” Chipping Drill
This drill helps you control distance and trajectory with your chip shots.
- Setup: Find a practice green or a quiet area in your backyard. Place three targets (e.g., towels, alignment sticks) at progressively increasing distances from your chipping spot – say, 5 yards, 10 yards, and 15 yards from the hole.
- Action: Use one club (e.g., a 58-degree wedge or a pitching wedge). Hit 5 chips to the first target, trying to land them as close as possible.
- Progress: Once you’ve successfully hit 3 out of 5 chips within a reasonable proximity of the first target, move to the second target. Repeat for the third target.
- Challenge: Now, reverse the ladder, chipping from the longest target back to the shortest. This helps you develop feel for both longer and shorter chips immediately after each other.
The “Ladder” drill teaches you to adjust your stroke length and clubface control for different distances, building a reliable short game that will shave strokes off your score.
Remember, golf is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. The top players in the world, like those competing at the Cognizant Classic, are constantly refining their craft. By applying these fundamental principles and practicing with purpose, you too can see significant gains in your game. Keep practicing, stay positive, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
