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Backswing position: Function vs. Aesthetics

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Books, DVD’s, TV shows and magazines have discussed for years how the golf swing should look and what types of shots these different “looks” produce.

In a previous article, I talked about the differences between a swing flaw and an idiosyncrasy and how to identify the difference. With that thought in mind, I wanted to show you the three most common backswing positions and what shots they produce so you can see which position is “right” for me.

There are three positions that the left arm can be in at the top of the swing in relation to the right shoulder (the opposite is true for lefties):

  1. Below the right shoulder.
  2. Neutral, or in-line with the right shoulder.
  3. Above the right shoulder.

My question to you: If I wanted to swing from the inside, which backswing “position” below would be the best one for me? Take a look below, make your decision, and read on!

No. 1: Below

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.46.08 PM

No. 2: Neutral

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.43.15 PM

No. 3: Above

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.40.51 PM

Let’s take a second to examine what happens to the Trackman numbers as I make these different swings:

No. 1: Below

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.46.08 PM

This position is a very hard one to get into for most people because it requires a ton of flexibility; however, it produced an inside delivery for me as the numbers show below.

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.45.15 PM

The low-left arm position produced a swing path of 4.6 degrees to the right, so this position obviously works for me when it comes to swinging from the inside. The face-to-path was very tight at -2.1, which will cause the ball to move a touch right-to-left with solid contact.

Next, let’s examine the neutral or “on-the-shoulder” position, and you’ll see that it also produced an inside delivery — as was my goal. This position is easier for me to get into based on my flexibility (or lack thereof), and this is the position that most golfers tend to play from.

No. 2: Neutral

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.43.15 PM

As we examine the Trackman numbers, you can see that this position created an inside delivery, but one that was a touch more down the line at 2 degrees to the right. Once again, we see a tiny draw with a small face-to-path relationship.

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.41.53 PM

Finally, we’ll take a look at the above-right-shoulder position, one that is very upright and requires a bigger shift of planes on the way down to produce an inside delivery.

No. 3: Above

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.40.51 PM

The numbers show us an inside delivery averaging 4.1 degrees and a small face-to-path relationship, which will help us hit the tiny push draw I’d like to see. The spin axis was -1.5, which means that this ball wasn’t curving, just falling a touch left with centered contact.

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 11.39.37 PM

So, what’s the best swing position for me to use so I can swing from the inside?

Any of them.

The key is to let the golfer decide which position works best for them. For me, I tend to naturally gravitate into the “above” position at the top of my backswing, but when I practice and play, I can get myself into a more rounded position — between the below and neutral position, which allows me to swing from the inside more easily.

As a person gets older, it’s harder to move into a contrived position (which for me is a flatter backswing). Therefore, the moral of the story is to let your body tell you what’s best for you and have your teacher adapt to your instincts.

Tom F. Stickney II, is a specialist in Biomechanics for Golf, Physiology, and 3d Motion Analysis. He has a degree in Exercise and Fitness and has been a Director of Instruction for almost 30 years at resorts and clubs such as- The Four Seasons Punta Mita, BIGHORN Golf Club, The Club at Cordillera, The Promontory Club, and the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. His past and present instructional awards include the following: Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, Golf Digest Top 50 International Instructor, Golf Tips Top 25 Instructor, Best in State (Florida, Colorado, and California,) Top 20 Teachers Under 40, Best Young Teachers and many more. Tom is a Trackman University Master/Partner, a distinction held by less than 25 people in the world. Tom is TPI Certified- Level 1, Golf Level 2, Level 2- Power, and Level 2- Fitness and believes that you cannot reach your maximum potential as a player with out some focus on your physiology. You can reach him at tomstickneygolf@gmail.com and he welcomes any questions you may have.

49 Comments

49 Comments

  1. Mike

    Jan 23, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    I came to a Hardy teacher swinging 6-8 out with an above the shoulder position and he got me swinging below the shoulder within two months. I didn’t get on trackman during that time, but I was so far underneath that I couldn’t take a divot or make contact (tops/thins/shanks). I almost gave it up after wasting thousands with the one plane guy and countless hours.

    I went to Chuck Evans (5SK guy) because I was desparate, figured he’d want me to swing around my body from reading about them being S&T guys, but could help me with the pivot. Within 5 swings Chuck (on his 5th cigarette by then) tells me, “pick it up in the backswing and give me your best Jack Nicklaus impersonation.” Within a few lessons I was taking divots, hitting solid draws (some hooks no doubt), hitting a very high long ball off the tee and my handicap dropped from almost a 9 to a 4. My swing looks uglier today than it did this time last year, but I can put the clubs away for two weeks, come back to them and play good golf without fear of a shank or skulling it.

    Good golf doesn’t have to come from a pretty backswing plane.

  2. Aaron

    Jan 1, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Looking at the flights, looks like the lower the left arm/right elbow, the lower the flight of the ball as well.

    • Tom Stickney

      Jan 1, 2015 at 7:13 pm

      Aaron– only for me. Others are differevt

  3. Mike

    Dec 31, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    Thanks for posting this article about the backswing position. I have a flat backswing, which has allowed me to become very consistent and ingrain a repeatable swing. It works great, but the shortcoming for me is rhythm and timing are critical to squaring the club face. For example, on the follow through if I do not roll my right forearm over my left forearm toward the 1:00 position consistently, I will hit hooks toward 11:00. I checked on video and I’m not coming over the top, my hands rotate faster than my body turns in the follow through, which shuts the club face upon impact. I tried a neutral backswing position and it feels horrible. Wound up hitting it fat a lot and when I caught it flush I wound up hitting hard fades/slices because my hands could not rotate fast enough to square the face. So I went back to my natural position, which is flat and during the downswing I focus a lot on rolling my right forearm over the left toward 1:00, which squares the club face allowing me to hit straight consistently. I wish there was a way I could rely on the bigger muscles to square the club face, not timing. I guess what I’m trying to say is your point about letting your body dictate the backswing position is key. Mostly because it determines the plane the club will be traveling on in the follow through, which determines ball flight and trajectory.

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 31, 2014 at 9:50 pm

      Mike– check out mike Adams and ea tishler’s stuff as well

  4. Jim

    Dec 31, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    Tom,

    Which of these backswing positions is best for someone that gets the club coming too much from the inside? Too many hooks,pushes, fats, thins and flips???

    thanks Jim

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 31, 2014 at 9:51 pm

      Jim. All of them can cause this. It’s not a plane issue. It’s a pivot issue in your case. Need to cover the ball more.

  5. Mike

    Dec 31, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    I agree that every golfer has tendencies but I would contend that most golfers whose left arm position is above have a very hard time hitting anything but a slice or at best a fade. This type of player more often than not just lifts the club with his arms and then comes over the top. Getting the player to turn his shoulders instead of lifting his arms and getting the butt of the club at the heels ( or close) will allow him to come from the inside. Furyk is such an extreme example and he is a master at letting the club drop dramatically in the first part of his downswing. Its a great article in that it really shows clearly the three positions at the top but as an instructor I will be spinning my wheels with the average golfer if I let their arms be in the “above” position and tell them they can hit it from the inside. Slice slice slice

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 31, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Mike. All depends on the players’ physiology and tendencies.

  6. JHI

    Dec 31, 2014 at 2:45 am

    Best article yet.

  7. Frank

    Dec 30, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    first and foremost great article.

    However, it seems to me there is a movement going on in the golf industry to make the analysis of the swing more friendly.

    I understand that being flat like kuchar or upright like furyk is ok cuz the importance is in striking the ball, but if my local pro didnt try to correct me or get me more neutral in the backswing, id want my money back.

    There is only 1 furyk and 1 kuchar on tour. If its ok to have those ugly swings, then taking lessons from a teaching pro will be a thing of the past.

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 31, 2014 at 12:10 pm

      Frank– there are always modifications to be made in each lessin for sure.

      • Frank

        Jan 3, 2015 at 10:26 am

        Ok, but in terms of beginners of first time players, which take away do you recommend? Hard to imagine being inside or outside.

        Thanks for your response and a great 2015.

        • Tom Stickney

          Jan 3, 2015 at 10:42 am

          Frank. Suggest the normal position at first. Grow from there

  8. MiBlogDeGolf

    Dec 30, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    Any difference about distance?

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 31, 2014 at 12:12 pm

      Mi- A touch more for the one that works for your physiology.

  9. MiBlogDeGolf

    Dec 30, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    Any difference about distances?

  10. Milton

    Dec 30, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    In my humble opinion, after studying the greats for over 50 years, the backswing plane really makes no difference. The downswing arm plane I think is most import for good ball striking. The downswing shaft plane also but not as much as the arm plane. I think most people worry too much about plane instead of worrying about what allows you to make flush contact, which is the most important thing in golf.

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 30, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      Milton. Backswing only sets up downswing…agree

    • Justin

      Jan 5, 2015 at 12:38 am

      I agree. For me, I find that so long as the shaft bisects my trail bicept at the halfway down point, I’m golden.

    • Mike

      Jan 23, 2015 at 4:41 pm

      Amen!

      When struggling I just kept telling myself (focus on the positions, not contact). You have to learn to make solid contact.

  11. Russel Johnson

    Dec 30, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Another homerun Tom… That is one of the most talked about things that I learn upon arriving at a Jim McLean Golf School as a full time instructor. Let the student dictate that position and we control how they arrive there. Great job! Happy New Year and a even better 2015 to you and your family.
    Rus J

  12. Zra

    Dec 30, 2014 at 8:45 am

    Great conclusion, a good swing is a swing that works for you.
    I am neutral but its because thats how i was taught by my pro.

    Too below and i tend to hit it thin, too above i will come in too step and a fat shot almost a guarantee.

  13. slimeone

    Dec 30, 2014 at 3:19 am

    Firstly – fantastic article! I have been contemplating these concepts a lot lately. I spend a lot of time at the range using the mirrors behind the bays. After working on a more upright swing plane for a while I found that I couldn’t get enough rotation in the backswing because the further I tried to turn I would actually start pushing my weight on to the front foot and bending my head forwards (quasi-reverse pivot). I remember Mike Austin berating a student about this in an obscure video (and also dropping an under-the-breath diss on Ben Hogan!). Anyway since I started to flatten my swing plane and adjust my distance from the ball accordingly I am getting far more rotation, distance and much better ball contact.

  14. scientific golfer

    Dec 29, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    I grew up copying my swing after Greg Norman, and as a result my club would often (and still does) point outside the ball part way through the backswing. Greg Norman and Ian Poulter are among the few tour pros iI’ve seen play that way. (I’ve never bothered to look at Kucher to see if he does the same thing). The problem I’ve seen with this flat back swing is I think it put added tension in the arms during the swing. It also tends to promote a downswing path that is steeper than the back swing path. I believe Jim McLean referred to it as a reverse slot swing. There have been tour pros that have played successfully with that type of reverse path (notably Sam Snead), but I still would like to be able to swing back in a more neutral way into a more neutral position. Problem is try as I might I’ve found nothing that helps put me in the desired position when I’m hitting a ball. The only thing that shows a slight improvement when viewed on camera is the feeling and concept of having my thumb(s) point at the sky half way through the back swing (and that looks to only change it by a few degrees at most). Swinging back and having my lead elbow (left) pointed at the ground part way back, lifting my right shoulder toward the sky, and maintaining pressure in the last three fingers of my left hand during the swing all fail to make any difference when viewed on camera during a swing where I hit a ball. On practice swings they all look to make a difference on camera, but a real swing is quite a different story. I gave up on practicing at the range to correct the fault years ago after I spent months trying to get out of that position and failing to do so. I’d still like to get out of that position some day, but I still have no clear idea what the cause of it is, nor what move or change will be able to get me to a more neutral or even upright shaft plane position half way back.

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 30, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Science– see my YouTube channel playlist on downswing feels. http://www.youtube.com/tomstickneygolf

      • scientific golfer

        Dec 31, 2014 at 9:29 am

        I don’t see a downswing feels video. Is it part of one of the other videos? The issue starts with my faulty back swing, so I don’t see how a downswing feel is going alter the back swing.

  15. Johnny

    Dec 29, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    Are you familiar with the pre-set drill by Leadbetter that he used on Faldo when he retooled his swing way back when? For me, that drill determined the most ideal backswing that is best for the golfer’s body.

  16. Nard_S

    Dec 29, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Good topic. Group think has led a lot of people to try to keep the club ‘on plane’& ‘under the glass’. I’ve always been way more comfortable with more upright position. I think of Watsons’ as my ideal. There is so many ways to skin a cat.

  17. other paul

    Dec 29, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Great article. I am wondering what the difference is between taking the club back like kuchar and taking it back like tiger when most people are taught (my perception) to lay the club off and drop their hands to get the club on plane. If you end up there at some point in the swing, why not just got there in the first place?
    I swing like kuchar but have to make sure i don’t take the club back to low because of an old shoulder injury.

    • Tom Stickney

      Dec 29, 2014 at 6:21 pm

      Other– it’s all a function of one’s flexibility.

      • other paul

        Dec 30, 2014 at 12:23 am

        I agree. I injured my shoulder with my hands over my head and lifting has never been the same.
        I have been trying to nail down qualities of my swing. Could you let me k ow if any of these are not complimentary?

        Qualities that define my golf swing
        -a strong grip
        -a cupped wrist at the top of my back swing
        -a long low take away
        -a flatter plane
        -shaft returns on shaft plane or just a hair under it
        -always a feeling of pushing to keep my hands higher in my back swing
        -fast hips that are open 20*-30* at impact

        Playing lots of Vgolf right now cause its minus 20 lately. Shooting in the mid 70s with this swing. And loving golf and it’s loving me back right now.

        • Tom Stickney

          Dec 30, 2014 at 10:34 am

          Other– they are all good

          • other paul

            Dec 30, 2014 at 3:02 pm

            Oh. That’s good news ???? Thanks

          • Tom Stickney

            Dec 30, 2014 at 3:48 pm

            Yep. Your thoughts are all in line. That’s good

  18. Keith

    Dec 29, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Good talk see you out there…any chance you can write about any benefit/issues with shortening your backswing?

    Thank you

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Instruction

How to play your best golf when the temperature drops

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The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.

“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.

If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.

Understand What Cold Does to Your Game

Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.

Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.

Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.

Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing

Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.

Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.

Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.

Take More Club Than You Think You Need

This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.

The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.

Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.

Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens

Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.

Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.

Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.

Embrace the Mental Challenge

Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”

That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.

Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.

Warm Up Longer and Smarter

This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.

Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.

The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.

 

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through  now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.

Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!

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3 lessons from Brooks Koepka that’ll actually lower your score

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Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.

What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.

So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.

Stop Overthinking Every Shot

Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.

This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.

How to actually do this:

On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.

Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.

If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.

This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.

Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)

Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.

Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:

Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.

Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.

Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.

Save Your Best for When It Counts

Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.

How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.

Here’s what actually works:

Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.

Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.

Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.

The Bottom Line

Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.

You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.

Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.

 

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through  now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.

Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!

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What we can learn from Blades Brown’s impressive American Express performance

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Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.

Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.

Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee

Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.

Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.

Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.

The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.

Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens

This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.

How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.

Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.

Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.

When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.

Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient

Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.

He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.

Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.

Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.

Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter  now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.

Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!

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