Lexi Thompson shares her 4 keys to leadership

Lexi Thompson has long been one of the biggest hitters in the women’s game.

The 29-year-old is currently averaging 267 yards off the tee with over 60 percent accuracy, and in GOLF’s latest cover shoot with seven-time member of the USA Solheim Cup team IN National Panthers in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Thompson shared her personal keys to approaching each shot.

Lexi Thompson’s 4 Keys to Driving

1. Pre-shot routine

“I always make sure I do my pre-shoot routine, which I think is so important that everyone should have one,” Thompson said.

The first part of Thompson’s pre-shoot routine involves choosing an aiming point.

“I’m going to pick a super small target in the distance,” she said. “I always say aim small, miss small.”

When you’re battling the elements, as Thompson was on our day of shooting, hitting shots in a strong wind, it’s also important to choose not just one, but two aims.

“On a very windy day like today, I’ll pick a start line and a finish line,” she said.

2. Visualize with practice swings

Thompson’s next step is to visualize the shot she wants to hit, and then take a few practice swings with that image in her mind.

“I’ll visualize my shot and take a practice swing or two after the ball, get a really good feel for my tempo and my golf swing,” she said.

3. Drowning

Thompson is comfortable with a choked glove.

“I choke a little more than usual, than most people, just to get that nice control at the top of my swing, because my swing is a little longer,” she said. “And I’m going to take a nice deep breath as I’m walking on set, making sure I’m nice and relaxed. And I really try to visualize my stroke and my lines.”

4. Address position

Thompson refocuses on the target as she enters her address position.

“As I’m setting up with my face, I draw a line to my initial target located at my feet,” she said. “I take another deep breath as I sit down and focus on that rhythm and usually hope it goes to my line.”

Watch the video to see the full version of Thompson’s advice. And to read and see more content from the GOLF cover shoot with Thompson, including an in-depth interview and behind-the-scenes footage, click here.

Editor of Golf.com

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural women’s varsity player class, Jessica can blow away anyone in the masthead. She can also drive them in the office, where she is primarily responsible for producing print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her series The original interview, “A Round With,” debuted in November 2015 and appeared in both magazine and video form on GOLF.com.