Achieving Peak Performance: Lessons from Elite Golfers

Different golfers play the game for different reasons. But there’s one thing that all golfers have in common – everyone wants to get better and to shoot lower scores. Even those amateurs who don’t take their golf too seriously and play mainly for fun and social interaction would still like to hit the ball a little better and lower their handicaps. In fact, for many golfers, that’s a big part of what makes the game so exhilarating and so addictive – the hunger and the drive to improve.

But what’s the best way to go about trying to get better? Well, there are tons of articles, books, and videos available on this topic. However, most of them seem to focus primarily on swing tips – how to drive, pitch, chip, or putt better, for example. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with eliminating poor mechanics and developing a sound swing, improvement in golf is a bit more multifaceted.

Real improvement encompasses a wider range of concepts than just tuning up your swing. I would suggest, if you really want to improve in all aspects of the game, that you should study how the elite players in the game go about their business. They are elite not just because they have good swings. Among other things, they also think and play strategically, they manage their emotions on the course, and they practice in certain ways that amateurs don’t.

Ask yourself what the best players in the world do that you don’t do and then, by emulating their routines and processes, you can get on a path to a more comprehensive improvement.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of those things that differentiate elite golfers from amateur golfers, and how you can improve your game by trying to replicate those things.

What Elite Golfers Do That Most Amateurs Don’t Do

Obviously elite golfers have natural talent and power that far exceeds that of amateurs. For 99%+ of amateurs, bridging that sizable gap will unfortunately be simply unattainable. But other than sheer strength and technical skill, there are several other characteristics of elite golfers that amateurs should try to mimic:

• Tracking your golf statistics
• Targeted practice sessions
• Smart/strategic course management
• Mental toughness and focus
• Short game mastery
• The Importance of Proper Attire

Tracking Your Golf Statistics

How many of the amateur golfers reading this article consistently record their stats from each round they play? My hunch is that it’s a small percentage. But it’s an extremely important thing to do if you want to improve. And it’s one of the lessons that you can learn from elite golfers.

PGA Tour players meticulously track their statistics. They use a variety of metrics to analyze their performance, including driving accuracy, greens in regulation, putting statistics, and scoring averages. Why are they so meticulous about recording their stats, and why should you do that too?

Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

By keeping track of your performance, you can pinpoint areas where you excel and those that need improvement. This helps you focus your practice sessions more effectively.

Setting Goals:

Having data allows you to set realistic and measurable goals. Whether it’s improving your putting average or reducing your handicap, you can create specific targets based on your statistics.

Monitoring Progress:

Tracking your stats over time provides a clear picture of your improvement. This can be motivating and helps you to stay committed to your practice regimen.

Some elite golfers keep extremely extensive and detailed records on a wide variety of areas. Those amateurs who are very detail-oriented may be comfortable with that level of performance recording. But others may not want to be quite as comprehensive in their record-keeping. At a minimum, though, I would recommend that all amateurs start recording the following statistics. It can be done with not too much effort by simply notating these five things on your scorecard at the conclusion of each hole:

• Fairways Hit Percentage - represents the total number of fairways you hit during the round divided by the total number of fairways on the course. This stat is a general gauge of your driving accuracy.
• Greens in Regulation - represents the total number of greens that you successfully hit in the round divided by the total greens. This stat is a general gauge of your ball-striking (i.e., your performance that round with your irons).
• Putts per Round - simply represents how many putts you took in your round.
• Scrambling Percentage - this statistic represents how many successful up-and-downs that you had in the round divided by the total number of up-and-down opportunities you had. This will give you information about your overall short game ability.
• Sand Save Percentage - as with the scrambling statistic, this will record how many successful up-and-downs you had from greenside sand traps. For a little more detail in this area, rather than just recording an up-and-down, record your approximate distance from the hole after your bunker shot, and then determine your average distance over the round.

Targeted Practice Sessions

When most amateurs go to the practice range, the majority of their time is often spent repetitively hitting the same club, usually with no specific target in mind. Hitting 50 drivers with no goals or targets, for instance, will certainly give you a good physical workout, but will do little to improve your golf game. To maximize the time you spend on the range, and to reap the greatest benefit, you should re-orient your range time so that you are “practicing with a purpose.”

Noted golf instructor Sean Foley once made this comment about how amateurs practice: “Golfers go to the range, hit a bunch of 7-irons with no wind and then wonder why they don’t improve on the course. It’s because they’re not practicing the same skills.”

The entire process of recording your statistics, as discussed above, is to learn exactly where you need to focus your practice time. If your record-keeping reveals, for example, that your wedge play from 80-100 yards could use some improvement, that is an area that you should incorporate into your range sessions.

Using the data from your statistics-gathering as input into the design of your range sessions will allow you to practice with a purpose. This is one of the important lessons to take away from the habits of elite golfers.

Smart/Strategic Course Management

Basically, course management refers to the strategic and tactical decisions a player makes during a round of golf. It entails assessing the situation you’re in, selecting an appropriate target, and choosing the proper club within the context of a specific competitive situation.

Elite golfers are masters at executing effective course management. They demonstrate that capability through a combination of strategic thinking, experience, and an understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. Amateurs can most definitely improve their scores by emulating this aspect of the elite player’s game. What are the key course management elements that you can learn from them?

Know Your Game:

Understand your strengths and weaknesses. And then, during the round, play to your strengths and avoid risky shots that play into your weaknesses.

Plan Your Shots:

Before each hole, assess the layout. Consider factors like hazards, slopes, and pin placement. Have a clear plan for where you want your ball to go.

Play for Position:

Sometimes, it's better to prioritize hitting the fairway over trying to reach the green in two. Aim for a safe landing area that sets you up for an easier approach.

Use the Right Club:

Choose clubs based on distance and accuracy rather than just maximum distance. Know how far you hit each club and factor in wind and elevation changes.

Practice Course Strategy:

During practice rounds, focus on different strategies for each hole. Experiment with various lines and club selections to find what works best for you.

Manage Your Emotions:

Stay calm and focused, especially after a bad shot. Don't let one mistake affect your entire round. Stick to your game plan.

Mental Toughness and Focus

Mental toughness in golf refers to the ability to stay focused, composed, and resilient throughout a round, regardless of challenges or setbacks. This is an element that amateurs don’t often think about, let alone focus on, but it’s crucially important.

PGA pros and other elite golfers, on the other hand, excel in this unique skill. They have the mental discipline to maintain focus throughout the entire round, managing their nerves and handling high pressure situations. They know how to recover from bad shots or mistakes. By contrast, amateurs often linger on bad shots mentally, which affects their confidence and sometimes leads to poor decision-making.

Here are some of the ways that you can emulate the mental discipline that elite golfers demonstrate:

• Set Clear Goals: Establish specific, achievable goals for each round or practice session. This gives you a sense of purpose and direction.
 
• Develop a Pre-Shot Routine: Consistent routines help create a sense of familiarity and reduce anxiety. Practice your routine during training to make it second nature.
 
• Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or visualization to stay present and calm during play. Focus on the shot at hand, rather than past mistakes or future outcomes.
 
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Encourage yourself with phrases like “I’m prepared” or “I can handle this.”
 
• Embrace Pressure Situations: Simulate high-pressure scenarios during practice. Play with friends, keep score, or create challenges to build resilience.
 
• Accept Mistakes: Understand that mistakes are part of the game. Learn to accept them without dwelling on them, which helps maintain your focus.

Short Game Mastery

There is one critical statistic in golf that all elite golfers are very aware of and hyper-focused on: In every round of golf, approximately 60% of all shots taken, occur within 100 yards of the green. That may be surprising to you, but research has proven it to be true, regardless of the skill level of the player.

Because the short game has such a disproportionate impact on overall scoring, elite players consequently spend a high percentage of their practice time working on their pitching, chipping and putting.

Amateur golfers would do well to model that behavior. Consider this: If you generally score somewhere around 100, for example, that means that fully 60 of those strokes will be short game shots! By contrast, you’ll usually hit a maximum of just 14 drivers during your round. And yet, by and large, amateurs spend a lopsided amount of their practice time hitting drivers, and almost no time practicing their short game. If you reverse that proportion, you’ll see your scores go down.

As evidence of the importance of focusing on the short game, look at the evolution of PGA (now LIV) player Dustin Johnson. He’s always had one of the game’s best long games, being one the Tour’s longest hitters. But for years his short game was inconsistent at best. Many years ago, he decided to refocus his practice time to spend much more time on his wedge shots and less time on drivers. He even went to the extent of diligently using a Trackman launch monitor to dial in (down to the tenth of a yard!) the distances on each of his wedges. The result? He ascended to #1 in the world.

No one would expect you to go to that extreme, but the message is clear. Get better at pitching, chipping, and putting and you’ll become a much better golfer.

The Importance of Proper Attire

One underrated lesson that you can learn from elite golfers is that the type of clothing that you wear on the course can make a big difference in how you play. You will seldom see a professional golfer arrive unprepared for that day’s weather conditions.

Why does wearing the right clothing matter?

Freedom of Movement:

Golf requires a full range of motion, especially during swings. Specialized golf clothing is designed to be lightweight, flexible, and non-restrictive, allowing players to swing freely.

Weather Adaptability:

Golf courses are obviously outdoors, so players face varying weather conditions. Golf attire includes items like moisture-wicking golf shirts, breathable golf pants, and waterproof golf rain jackets to keep players comfortable and focused, whether it's hot, cold, or wet.

Grip and Performance:

Golf gloves, shoes, and hats all serve functional purposes.  Shoes with good traction help maintain stability, gloves provide grip, and hats shield from sunlight, all of which can impact a player’s performance.

Regardless of the conditions, you need to stay warm, dry, and comfortable when you play, and dressing appropriately can often make the difference between a good round and a bad one.  Elite players know this and always come prepared. You should too.

Final Thoughts

By taking to heart these lessons from elite players, you can get on the path to improvement and begin your own personal golf transformation.

By emulating the habits and strategies of elite players, amateurs can develop their skills, enhance their understanding of the game, and ultimately improve their performance on the course. You will become a far more complete player, and you will actually find that you enjoy the game even more.