Play From Point A

I emphasize to my players the importance of staying in the present and focusing on the process for the next shot. Susie Meyers and Valarie Lazar focus on these concepts in their book Golf from Point A.

Dustin Johnson was not at Point A on the last hole of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. He had a 12 foot putt for eagle to win. He told his brother and caddie Austin that if he made it, winning the U.S. Open would be a dream come true. He rolled it four feet by and missed the comebacker, which would have put him in a playoff with Jordan Speith. When Johnson ventured to his dream of the future and the trophy, he turned away from Point A and his process for hitting that putt as he had hit putts for 71 holes.

Jordan Speith WAS at Point A on the last hole of that same tournament. Speith birdied 16 to gain a two-stroke lead. He then doubled 17. But, at 18, he stayed with the process that resulted in the birdie at 16, made another birdie, and won the Open. He did not think about the trophy before he finished the round; Johnson did.

Wisdom from Golf From Point A:

Play from Point A.

There is no past.

There is no future.

There is only here and now.

Stay committed to your Process.

Aware of who YOU are.

Let it happen instead of try.

Accept that each shot is a new opportunity to do the best you can do.

Play with Positivity.

Visualize the shot that you intend.

Trust that you can hit that shot.

React to the shot objectively, without emotion, and look for good in every situation.

Play Well This Week!