Instruction

One Club Maestro: Swing It Like Seve, For Shotmaking Mastery!

Published

13 years ago

May 14, 2013

Each year I have the pleasure of working with nearly 400 kids at my summer camps in Pebble Beach, Calif. One of the highlights of the camp experience is the “One Club Tournament” held at the Peter Hay Par-3 course. The premise behind the exercise is to instill the mindset and skills associated with creative shotmaking.

I always begin by sharing the story of the great Seve Ballesteros, who learned to play the game as a young boy on the beaches of Spain using only a 3 iron. With only one club to work with, Seve became a master of creative problem solving by learning how to effectively alter the functionality of his equipment to produce literally any shot.

This exercise is about imagination and stretching the boundaries of what you believe is possible. As you work through each challenge, you’ll unlock the secrets to great shotmaking and effectively increase your Golf IQ.

To get started, try to successfully complete each shot with a 6 iron as demonstrated below. If you can pull that off, you’re welcome to go for the “full” Seve and see what you get!

Roll The Rock

Great putting is “all about the roll!” That means being able to create pure contact that keeps the ball hugging the turf as it hunts down the cup. Every golf shot, putting included, is comprised of a relationship in which the swing path, club face, angle of attack, dynamic loft, speed and impact point work together to produce the result associated with each effort.

A great way to quickly simplify your putting approach is to roll a few putts with your 6 iron. You may have seen this done before with a sand wedge. This is probably a touch more effective due to the shortened length of the club, but since we’re sticking with one club for all of these shots, the 6 iron works just fine.

Grip down on the club so it feels more like a putter in length. Hover the head above the turf so the leading edge is lined up with the ball’s equator. As you make your stroke, focus on creating a level strike that catches the ball on or just above the equator. You’ll find that producing a solid hit will also occur most easily with a compact motion that has minimal arc and face rotation.

Following a few successful strikes, transfer the same feeling into your actual stroke using your putter. In only a few minutes, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the subtleties associated with developing a pure roll.

Great Scot

Nothing is more fun than playing true links golf. The best part for me is letting go of mechanical thoughts and performing purely from imagination and instinct. When faced with a shot that would normally require a lofted pitch, use your 6 iron instead to conjure a shotmaking masterpiece that bounds the ball across the turf. This is where you really learn to become an effective problem solver, as only a well thought out plan will get the ball to finish close.

Take a quick walk up to the putting surface and “read” the turf in the same way you would read the green for a putt. Like a set of falling dominos, imagine how action and reaction must work to deliver your ball to the cup. If you can effectively manage, loft, speed and contact point, you’ll enjoy watching a one-of-a-kind performance worthy of applause from our golfing friends across the pond.

As you progress back to your normal game, open your imagination to the variety of possibilities associated with each shot that you play. You’ll find that tapping into your creativity more often, will dramatically elevate your enjoyment for the game.

Sup-A-Flop

Perhaps no other shot in this repertoire screams “Seve,” more than this 6 iron flopper. From a reasonable lie, widen your stance and sink your knees way down to the turf, as you lower the handle of the club. Once you’ve claimed first prize in the limbo contest, pitch the club face wide open and draw the handle of the club back away from the target. Make a shallow, rounded swinging action that slices the club face through the grass beneath the ball. The key in this motion, is to produce ample “throw” of the club head into the hit. I like to feel as if I’m trying to line the shaft up with my right forearm very early in the down swing. You can see the shaft in this position in my post impact shot, but my mindset is to create this relationship well before the ball.

This shot is a lot of fun and one that will surely impress your friends. If you can master this bit of short game magic, you won’t believe how easy it will be to flop it with your lob or sand wedge.

Monster Mash

You’ve learned how to hit your 6 iron short and sweet, now what if you have to mash it way farther than you’ve ever hit it before? The key is to imagine what it would be like to dramatically alter the loft on your club, this time in the opposite direction.

Assuming you have a standard 6 iron distance in mind, figure out what would have to occur to make it perform like a 4 iron. Shift the ball a little back in your stance, with your weight and shaft leaning a bit towards the target. As you go in for the kill, lean the shaft even more towards the target and give it a little gusto! Ramping up your speed, while dramatically decreasing your loft, will make you wonder why you even carry all those extra clubs around.

As you go back to playing your normal game, take note of how de-lofting the club is an integral component to great iron play. On the course, you’ll find that trying to de-loft each club by “one” will help you consistently create a more powerful hit.

Bunker Blast

Can you really hit a 6 iron out of a green side bunker? Darn straight you can, as long as you understand how to properly utilize the bounce of your golf club.

The set-up and mindset for this shot is essentially the same as the supa-a-flop we learned earlier. The goal on this one, however, is to help you understand the concept of “bounce” and how it aids your ability to tackle bunkers with ease. Any club that rests on the ground with an open face has some degree of bounce. As you can see in the inset photo above, my open faced 6 iron has the leading edge of the club well higher than the trailing edge. If I maintain this relationship during contact the club will skip through the sand creating a nice shallow cut. If the club contacts the sand a reasonable degree behind the ball (1 to 2 inches) with adequate club head speed, even a 6 iron can produce a shot that’s high, soft and spinning.

A couple of points to keep in mind as you play this shot are to really feel that “throw” move discussed in the sup-a-flop above and make sure you keep your weight forward and shoulders relatively level to the turf at set-up. Any weight to the back foot or the front shoulder pitching up well higher than the back shoulder will put your club into the sand too early, leading to a less than desirable result.

As you progress back to your lob or sand wedge, play with the same set-up and attitude. With your new level of skill, sand shots will be just another day at the beach!

Instruction

How to play your best golf when the temperature drops

Published

3 months ago

Feb 3, 2026

Brendon Elliott

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!

Instruction

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

Published

3 months ago

Feb 2, 2026

Brendon Elliott

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.

Instruction

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

Published

3 months ago

Jan 29, 2026

Brendon Elliott

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.