One of my favorite things about watching PGA Tour players in a casual setting is trying to catch the little things they say without realizing how helpful they are.
When Justin Thomas joined Bob Does Sports for a round, it wasn’t exactly a clinic. There were smoothies, club shots, pranks and lots of mayhem. But mixed in all were some golf thoughts that amateurs can actually use.
Here are three that stood out to me.
Not every chip needs a landing spot
Many golfers are taught to pick a spot when they chip. Land the ball there and let it go.
This is good advice in the right situation. But Thomas made an interesting point. His father always goes somewhere. Thomas said he can’t do that every shot.
The short game is not a single system. Lie, grain, slope and amount of green all change the look. Sometimes choosing a place simplifies things. Other times, it makes you force a shot that doesn’t really fit.
Before automatically looking for a landing spot, see what the shot is looking for. Should it be checked? Release? Come out soft? Use an italic? Landing may matter, it just may not be the most important thing for you to focus on.
Lie away from the court you hate
This was probably the best course management tip in the video.
Thomas mentioned that a layup can be more about avoiding a number than laying up to a number.
Most golfers talk about the approach distances they want. They want 100 meters. Or 85. Or a wedge full of sand. But very few golfers think enough about the yards they hate.
Maybe 40 yards is a disaster for you or you hate the 70 yard half wedge. Maybe you’re better off at 105 with a full swing than you are at 58 trying to produce something.
Sometimes the goal is simply not to put yourself in a bad lying position. It’s a different mindset, but it can help you choose a better club and plan of attack on your next shot.
Quick pick up account
Thomas talks about the adrenaline, which is a little different for someone who has stood over Ryder Cup shots and major championship shots.
But the lesson still applies to amateurs.
Adrenaline doesn’t just make you nervous. It can make you faster. Your routine accelerates and your transition becomes swift. Some players become more active with their hands. Suddenly, the 92-yard wedge you planned doesn’t fly like your normal 92-yard wedge.
Most amateurs aren’t feeling the pressure of the Ryder Cup on Saturday morning, but the adrenaline still kicks in. Maybe you get excited after a great ride or have a chance to make an eagle or a birdie. Sometimes you rush because someone is waiting for you.
The next move gets a little faster and the shot doesn’t come out the way the number said it would.
This is the part to pay attention to. Adrenaline can change tempo and rhythm can change distance, trajectory and rotation.
Before you hit, make sure your swing matches the shot you’ve chosen. If you chose a smooth wedge, take a smooth swing. If you already feel fast, take a second and reset.
Final thought
The best part about watching Thomas in this setting is that the advice doesn’t feel forced. He does not stand in a range teaching a lesson. He just plays golf and says the things great golfers naturally think. Learning how players think and hearing them talk about it in a round is some of the most valuable advice I’ve found on YouTube.
