As a teaching professional with over 15 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with golfers at every level, from aspiring tour players to dedicated weekend warriors. And if there’s one universal truth I’ve learned, it’s that golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. We often chase perfect swing mechanics, but sometimes the real key to breakthrough lies in our mindset and how we approach the course.
Tommy Fleetwood’s recent FedExCup victory after 164 PGA Tour starts and six runner-up finishes is a powerful testament to this. His story isn’t just about a fantastic swing; it’s about resilience, strategic thinking, and a remarkable ability to manage his emotions under immense pressure.
The Power of Persistence: Learning from Fleetwood’s Journey
Think about the sheer grit it took for Fleetwood to keep pushing. He amassed 30 top-five finishes without a victory, the most on the PGA Tour in the past 100 years. That’s a statistic that would make many players question their path. Yet, he persevered. What can we, as recreational golfers, learn from this?
“It’s easy for anybody to say that they are resilient, that they bounce back, that they fight. It’s different when you actually have to prove it.”
This quote from Fleetwood really hits home. True mental toughness isn’t about never feeling doubt; it’s about acknowledging it and pressing on anyway. In my teaching experience, many golfers get discouraged after just a few bad holes or even a single poor round. The key is to see each challenge as a learning opportunity, just as Fleetwood did.
Try this: The “Next Shot Matters” Drill
After hitting a shot you’re unhappy with, rather than dwelling on it, acknowledge the missed shot for exactly five seconds. Then, consciously take a deep breath, and devote 100% of your focus to your next shot and the decision-making process for it. This helps you break the chain of negative thoughts and refocus on the present, much like how Fleetwood would have processed those unfortunate near-misses before his victory.
The Wisdom of “Boring” Golf: Course Management for Everyone
One of the most profound lessons from Fleetwood’s win is the beauty of “boring” golf. He closed with a 2-under 68 for a three-shot victory, not with flashy, miraculous shots, but with methodical, intelligent play.
“When you’ve lost it so many times, three strokes on the last doesn’t seem like that many.”
This simple statement reveals a deep understanding of course management. As amateurs, we often fall into the trap of trying to be heroes. We watch the highlights and think we need incredible recoveries to score well. But Tour pros win by playing smart, percentage golf. This means making intelligent decisions based on your current skill level, understanding your miss tendencies, and choosing the shot that gives you the highest probability of success.
Every time you grab driver instead of a safer club because you’re feeling aggressive, or aim at a sucker pin instead of the fat part of the green, you’re making a choice. Fleetwood’s example reminds us to choose wisdom over ego.
Drill: The “Know Your Miss” Practice Session
Head to the range or practice area with a specific goal. For each club, hit 10-15 balls and consciously try to understand your typical miss. Do you often slice your driver under pressure? Do your irons tend to go left when you’re nervous? Once you identify your patterns, you can start to adjust your aim on the course. For example, if your pressure shot with a 7-iron tends to push right, aim a little left. This strategic insight, rooted in self-awareness, will lower your scores significantly.
Building Real Confidence, Not Delusion
Fleetwood’s approach to his many close calls was described as having a “refreshing perspective and joy for those who beat him.” This isn’t just good sportsmanship; it’s a strategic psychological approach. True confidence isn’t born from wishful thinking; it’s built on a foundation of evidence.
“Real confidence builds through evidence, not self-talk. Each successful pre-shot routine under pressure, each smart layup instead of a hero attempt, each recovery from a bad hole without letting it wreck your round — these deposit credibility in your mental account.”
This is a concept I emphasize with all my students. Every time you commit to your routine, make a smart strategic choice, or recover from a mishap without letting it derail your round, you’re adding to your mental bank account of credible experiences. These small victories are crucial for developing unshakeable confidence on the course.
Here’s a drill: The “Pre-Shot Routine Commitment” Challenge
For your next three rounds, no matter if you’re playing alone or with friends, commit fully to your pre-shot routine for every single shot – from tee to green. This isn’t about making every shot perfect, but about building the habit of consistent preparation and decision-making. Observe how this commitment helps you stay present and detached from previous outcomes. You’ll find that simply executing your routine consistently, even after a poor shot, helps stabilize your mental game and builds confidence in your process.
Fleetwood’s incredible journey reminds us that golf will inevitably break our hearts sometimes. That’s part of its design. The question is how you respond. Will you feel fear and paralysis, or will you feel scared and make smart decisions anyway? The choice is yours, and with intelligent practice and a resilient mindset, you absolutely can improve and enjoy the game more than ever.
