Rory McIlroy has accomplished more in the game of golf than most. He is one of six players to win a career Grand Slam, has 44 victories worldwide and is one of the greatest European players in history.
So naturally, McIlroy is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to improving his game. Asked at the Travelers Championship how amateur players can easily lower their scoresthe reigning Masters champion suggested they stop biting off more than they can chew.
“I think sometimes they just try to putt more or try to hit a shot that they can maybe make once or twice out of 10 instead of playing a little bit more percentage,” McIlroy said. “It’s boring, but it’s certainly the most effective way to lower your score.”
But when it comes to young players, McIlroy’s advice is a little more vague.
after winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 on Thursday, McIlroy was asked for the best advice he would give young players. It’s something that can be applied to any passion, on and off the course.
“Just never lose your enthusiasm or joy for the game,” McIlroy told the BBC. “As long as you have the joy of the game and love what you’re doing and get lost in it, I think that’s the easiest way to improve. Because the more you love something, the more you’ll do it and naturally you’ll improve.”
Earlier this year, in his pre-tournament press conference at the Masters, McIlroy talked about “Chasing a feeling, not a result.” That feeling? Exactly what he wants new players to find, harness and keep as they begin their journey.
“It’s a feeling like that childlike joy and enthusiasm,” McIlroy said in one appearance in Starting shotgun. “I think back to my early days when I wasn’t at school. So, the last couple of years at school, and I’m just thinking about going out and going to Holywood Golf Club and, you know, playing until it’s dark and just that joy and excitement. It’s almost like an adventure, you know, you just go out on an adventure, you’re going on the golf course, like an adventure. chasing this ball and you’re watching shots and you’re just, you’re so in the moment and in tune with your senses, that’s the feeling we’re talking about.
“You know, once you finish your round of golf, how do you look in the mirror and say, ‘Okay, this is how I want to feel. That’s what I want to think. That’s how I want to do it”. It just goes back to why you started playing the game in the first place.”
