Hello, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, and I’ve just been reflecting on the incredible Players Championship. It was a tournament filled with drama, spectacular shots, and a few valuable lessons for all of us, no matter our handicap. As a golf teaching professional, I’m always looking for those moments in professional golf that translate into actionable insights for my students, and this year’s Players delivered in spades.
One performance that truly stood out was Cameron Young’s audacious play, particularly on the famed 17th hole. You’ve all seen the Island Green – it’s a hole that can make or break a round, and often a tournament. What struck me about Young’s approach wasn’t just the shot itself, but the mentality behind it. He didn’t just play to avoid disaster; he played to win.
Playing to Win: Embracing Controlled Aggression
Far too many amateur golfers, even high-level ones, approach challenging holes with trepidation. They aim for the safe bailout, hoping to make par and move on. While course management is crucial, there are moments when a strategic, aggressive play can unlock lower scores and a more fulfilling round. James Colgan, in his recap, highlighted this beautifully:
“The thrust of my theory around the 17th has less to do with strategy than it does with gumption, and it can be distilled into the following sentence: You can’t bother playing TPC Sawgrass smartly. If you want to win on Sunday, you need: 1. birdies 2. risk tolerance and 3. guts. The kind of golfers who thrive in that kind of environment are the ones who view the course and the tournament not as something to be feared but as something to be challenged.”
This isn’t to say you should spray the ball all over the course. This is about calculated aggression, understanding the risk-reward, and having the conviction to execute. Young, with his tournament hopes hanging on a birdie, stepped up to the 17th and delivered a “seed straight at the flagstick.” He was rewarded with a 10-footer for birdie that he drained. That wasn’t luck; that was conviction.
As Young himself put it:
“The way everything is raised, you just know all eyes are right there on you. There’s nowhere to hide, and I feel like I stepped up really well and hit a bunch of good shots those last couple holes, so I’m very proud of that.”
This mindset isn’t just for tour pros. It’s something you can cultivate in your own game. It means trusting your swing when it matters most and embracing the challenge rather than shrinking from it.
Drills to Build Confidence and Gumption
How do you build this kind of confidence and “gumption” in your own game? It starts on the practice range, replicating pressurized situations and learning to trust your capabilities.
The “Island Green” Practice Drill: Imagine you’re standing on your own “Island Green” – take a specific target, perhaps a flag at 150 yards, and imagine water all around it. Now, hit 10 balls. Your goal isn’t just to hit the green, but to get as close to the pin as possible, replicating that pressure. Don’t be afraid to pull the club you need to get there. Focus on a confident swing, a smooth tempo, and staring down that target. Don’t just make contact; aim to execute. Track how many times you hit the green and how many times you get within a “10-foot birdie putt” range.
The “Pressure Putt” Challenge: Cameron Young sank a critical 10-footer on 17. In your practice putting, set up a scenario where every putt counts. For example, place three balls around the hole, two 5-footers, and one 10-footer. You have to sink all three to “win” the hole. If you miss one, you start over. This drill builds resilience and the ability to focus under perceived pressure, mimicking those crucial tournament moments.
The “Trouble Shot” Trust Drill: Often, aggression means being comfortable with less-than-perfect lies. Jordan Spieth, for instance, is a master of what he calls “weird golf,” making miraculous recovery shots. While we don’t advocate intentionally hitting into trouble, practicing recovery shots can build immense confidence. Find a challenging lie – perhaps in light rough, or with an obstacle in your line – and practice punching out, hitting a high flop, or shaping a shot around a tree. The goal isn’t always perfection, but executing the chosen shot. This builds trust in your ability to adapt and be aggressive when the situation demands it.
These drills aren’t just about technique; they’re about building the mental fortitude to handle pressure. As PGA Tour events are 72 holes, a momentary lapse or a tough shot shouldn’t define your round.
The Mental Game: Not Getting Too High or Too Low
Speaking of mental fortitude, Xander Schauffele’s performance at the Players offered another great lesson:
“One of the things I admire about Schauffele is his mental toughness. He never seems to get too high or too low, even when the wheels are falling off or a major championship is within his grasp.”
This is a foundational aspect of golf. It means accepting the bad shots as part of the game and not letting them derail your focus on the next one. After a “disastrous third round,” Schauffele bounced back with a strong Sunday, shooting three under with birdies on each of the last three holes. That resilience is something every golfer can strive for.
Even Brooks Koepka, who shot 6 under for the week and finished T13 “without really making any noise,” demonstrated remarkable consistency, landing the ball on the 17th green all four tournament days for the first time in his career. This quiet confidence and consistent execution are hallmarks of mental toughness.
Your Path to Improvement
Golf is a journey, and every round, every tournament, offers insights. As your instructor, I want you to remember that improvement comes from a combination of sound mechanics, smart practice, and cultivating a strong mental game. Don’t fear the challenge; embrace it with controlled aggression and the belief in your abilities. Just like Cam Young, you have the potential to step up and deliver when it counts.
So, head to the range or the course with a renewed sense of purpose. Challenge yourself. Practice with intent. And most importantly, have fun with the journey! I know you can improve, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.
