Instruction

How to actually get better at golf in 2016

Published

10 years ago

Jan 20, 2016

The New Year is here, and you want to make 2016 the best golfing year of your life, right? But it’s cold, the course is closed and you are confined to the range for the next few months.

How can you make the best of these next few months and transition your game from the range to the course when the season begins? How do you peak your performance for those important tournaments you wanted to win?

I have dedicated a vast majority of my career to designing and creating the ultimate practice plans for golfers. My book, “The Practice Manual,” is dedicated to improving both the learning and performance of golfers. In this article, I share a part of my book called “The 5 Phases,” which deals with how you might structure your practice over the course of a session, week, or even year.

Phase 1: Technical

During this phase of your training, you are going to focus 100 percent on your technique. This could be club movement/body movement, etc. “But I already do that,” most golfers tell me. Yes, but this is going to be very different.

Most golfers half-heartedly focus on a mix of technical changes and hitting good golf shots, and they usually end up getting neither. Technical changes are tough to do, as evidenced by the number of golfers who struggle to make the movements they intend to make. But this process can be much more difficult when a golfer’s attention is split between making a swing change and creating good results.

Using feedback, such as video, can help tremendously during the technical phase.

So, during this phase, make it your goal, and place 100 percent of your attention on making the desired technique. This means that the shot result becomes temporarily unimportant. Sure, we always want to hit good shots, but if you want to hit shots better than you normally do something’s gotta change. And that change might mean you hit it worse for a little while, at least until your body figures out how to put all the other pieces to the puzzle together.

Phase 2: Experimental

This is a very unorthodox phase, and 15 years ago I would have thought you were a mad man if you suggested it to me. Basically, this phase involves exploring and pushing the boundaries of your movement patterns and skills.

This will vary in intensity depending upon the current player’s skill level and comfort with this style of practice, but it may involve:

Exploring shaping shots
Trying to hit the sweet spot with varying set-up positions (aligning the ball on the toe or heel, for example)
Intentionally trying to hit “wrong” parts of the clubface. As my study showed, it improved golfers quicker than the standard way.
Exploring the scale of certain technical elements, such as hitting a few shots with a weaker grip or stronger grip.

Trying to hit different parts of the face is a “differential practice” drill.

This type of practice is skill/coordination building, and while many good golfers shy away from this type of practice due to a fear that they might “ruin” their swing, nothing could be further from the truth. Exploring different movement patterns, in the long term, can not only make golfers better, but it can improve their self-correcting capabilities, which is a vital skill to have on the course when things inevitably go wrong.

As an example, through learning to slice and fade the ball on the range, I now have the ability to fix my hook, should it occur on the course. Even though I may never use a fade shot on the course (I play a predominant draw shot), learning it helped other areas of my game.

Phase 3: Calibration

Phases 1 and 2 can be great for pushing a golfer’s potential, but they can also be quite disruptive to performance (just ask anyone going through a swing change). So when it gets closer to the golf season starting, I get more of my players to use what we call “calibration.”

During this phase, golfers focus more of their efforts on the performance of the shot, with specific analysis to the main contributing impact factors. For example, when they make a mistake, I asked them to define what kind of mistake it was. Was it:

Ground contact?
Clubface contact?
Face-to-path?
Speed (short game)?

When players see a pattern of faults occurring (through specific analysis), they then go into a training mode where they put their full attention on that specific problem. For example, if face strike was an issue, the player would then go through specific drills to improve that element before repeating the entire process.

Phase 4: Performance Training

This is a concept I devised after doing several studies with golfers and seeing varying results with players across the board. This led me to believe that everyone is different, and what works for one may not work for another. So, with this quandary in mind, how do we find out what is best for us?

This is a topic I will go over in more detail in a future article, but I would like to give a primer here. A/B testing (performance training) is where you look at two different protocols, test them both and see which one performed the best. It is such a beautifully simply idea, yet few golfers actually do it.

For example, should you focus on the target, or should you focus on your swing? While science as a whole may take the external option (target), I have seen other players actually perform better with a swing focus or swing key. If you hit 100 balls to a target and get a better dispersion while thinking about your swing than you do while thinking about the target, that information is very valuable.

The results of two different types of swing thoughts for a student.

In the example above, the clear-cut winner was the swing thought that produced the yellow shot grouping. I like to use Trackman data to back up this process. I can see statistically which swing thought may be functioning better for a golfer at any one time, but there are also ways that golfers can test this for themselves without launch monitor data.

Phase 5: Transference

How many golfers struggle to take their hard work from the range to the course?

Transference training is about creating situations that simulate a course scenario better than normal practice. This is often in the form of a game, such as playing the course mentally while on the range. You could also try this game below:

Hit a drive between two markers 25 yards wide.
If successful, hit a 7 iron between two markers 20-25 yards wide.
If successful, hit a 60-yard pitch and stop it within a 20-foot circle of the flag.
If successful, give yourself a point. Repeat to see how many points you can make with 60 balls. If you fail one level, start from the beginning.

This changes your mindset into a performance one, and also adds an element of pressure. It also allows you to test your ability to maintain the focus you identified in the previous phase (performance training) to see if it holds up under game-like pressure.

It also uses elements of random practice (hitting to different targets with different clubs) as opposed to blocked practice (hitting the same club to the same target over and over). The former has been shown to improve ability to transfer to the course much better.

Summary

Ideally, during the winter months, you may spend more time working in Phases 1 or 2. When spring comes around, you might transition to spend more time in Phase 3. And when time for performance has arrived, Phases 4 and 5 should dominate your sessions. Some plans I create for Tour players may include a little bit of each phase in each day, but most of my players will know what they will be doing for the full year ahead.

You can find out more about these training philosophies and much more in his amazon bestselling book “The Practice Manual – The Ultimate Guide for Golfers.” Buy it on Amazon.

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.