7 Things Golf Tour Pro’s Do That You Should Copy

When it comes to the standards of golf players, PGA Tour pros are considered the crème de la crème. So, what are they doing that sets them apart? Sure, the talent they were born with and their sheer love for golf are two reasons. But they are humans as well.

We are going to take a peek at the actions of a tour pro. You might be doing some of these already. But we still encourage you to read all of them to know exactly why they are what they are.

Resource: Step by Step Golf Practice Routines + Training System

Why Are We Looking at the Tour Pros?

At least some of you might be wondering why are we making a post on what tour pros do, right? They have the best resources for everything. Or, at least that’s the notion people have in their minds when they think of the professional players.

The reality, however, is quite different. Except for a handful such as Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Rory Mcllroy, etc., the rest of the PGA pros live a very simple life. What most people don’t understand is that golf is not one of those sports where everything is taken care of by the board.

Players themselves, at least the vast majority of them are responsible for making things happen. They fly in with their own money or sometimes they carpool. Not every player stays in 5-star hotels.

That’s why we’ve created this post. Because at the end of they, there’s nothing so indifferent between you and the pros.

What Do the Pros Do That You Don’t?

So, what do the PGA tour pros do that most people don’t? In this section, we’re going to explore such actions that you can incorporate into your routine to improve your playing.

They Warm Up Every Time they Play

Can you swear by the constitution that you’ve never played a cold session? It happens to the best of us. We just don’t feel like warming up for the day. Whether we’re at the course or at the driving range, we just go right ahead with the round or the practice.

That’s the first and probably the most obvious difference between tour pros. They never go cold. Not even for practice. Practice is part of the play for them. Every shot they make counts toward making them a better player.

You might be thinking that it’s their job to warm up because they play professionally. Why should I? Well, a warm-up session may take 15 minutes at most. Does it hurt so much to warm up before you play? No, it doesn’t.

Our recommendation is that if you take golf seriously and want to improve how you play, start warming up every time.

They Use Rangefinders

Rangefinders can be life-changing accessories for a golf player. Even the entry-level rangefinders can get you up to 5 yards to the target. The key is to know what you’re buying. We have a dedicated guide to rangefinders that you can read here.

One of the qualities of a tour pro is that they use rangefinders to build up their understanding of the distance. Here’s the catch, though. PGA Tour doesn’t allow players to use rangefinders during rounds. But it’s completely alright to use them during practice or scouting.

The question is, should you use them? If it’s not allowed to use in the competition, then it must be better to lay off the rangefinders, right? Well, not necessarily.

Instead of using rangefinders as an essential tool in your itinerary, you should use it as an accessory that adds value. You are going to build your sense of distance with the help of a rangefinder so that you can gauge the distance when the time comes without using them.

Sounds counterintuitive, right? Don’t worry. Give rangefinders a chance in your life and see how they play out.

They Don’t Pitch at Full Speeds

Pitching is a very important component of the golf short game. Most players go with the most lofted club in their bags and hit the shot as hard as they can.

The PGA tour pros, on the other hand, don’t do that. They usually don’t like to let go of the control a flatter pitch offers. Lofted clubs let the ball go high in the air without covering much distance. It’s good for getting past obstacles but it’s not one of the favorite shots for the tour pros.

Instead, they deloft the club and reduce the swing speed. As a result, the spin you create on the ball is minimal. And we all know that less spin means more control!

When you try to incorporate this habit into your golf routine, this might not be the easiest transition. You may need to spend a few weeks at the driving range before you can accurately gauge your pitches.

Resource: How to Score in the 70’s Golf Training Plan

They are Obsessed with Putting

If you’re a regular on our website, you might know how many guides we’ve shared on putting. To be honest, we don’t even know the exact number. The reason is that we strongly believe putting is the most important shot in golf. A simple mistake during putting can be the difference between a birdie and a bogey.

Those of you who used to wonder why do we share so much putting content, you have your answer right here. PGA tour pros are obsessed with putting. They know very well if they miss a putt, the tournament may get out of their hands. Everyone can hit decent tee shots or fairway shots but very few can master the art of putting.

A huge part of Tour pro players’ lives is putting aids. There are hundreds of aids and drill equipment that you can get. Some of the most effective drills focus on guiding the ball in the right direction while maintaining the right pace.

So, if you want to compare yourself with a PGA tour pro in any way, your first instinct should be improving your short game. Thankfully, we have got more than enough short game guides on our website!

They Practice on the Course

Practicing on the range is one of the best habits you can build up for your golf game. Driving ranges are great for the repetition of shots if you want to build up your skills. However, practicing at the course is just as important as practicing at the range.

A driving range gives you the ability to tune into the physicality of your practice. But practicing at the course allows you to tap into the mental space of golf. When you practice at the course that you mostly play at, you start to develop the sense of directions, uphill and downhill lies, how the air blows over the tree, and whatnot.

It might sound cheesy to a lot of you, but getting in-tune with the course can dramatically change how you perceive the sport. That’s one of the reasons the PGA tour pros practice a lot around the golf courses.

Resource: Get the All Access Pass. Learn about our training programs with step by step practice drills, weekly schedules and routines to follow so you can break 90, break 80 or scratch golf. Plus access our video lesson library in addition to following the practice plans.

They Have Goals for Everything

One of the primary reasons why professional players are called ‘professional’ is that they have KPI (Key Performance Indicators). Basically, it can be anything. They set goals for everything they do. It might sound weird to a lot of you, but setting up goals can help you experience life for the better.

For example, when you’re going to the driving range, just don’t go for the sake of it. Plan the practice session out. How many shots do you want to play? What shots do you want to play? What clubs are you going to use?

If you ask these questions to a PGA Tour Pro, they’ll have answers ready instantly. But for the majority of the average players, they just go to the practice area, hit countless shots, and come back.

The key is always to have goals. If it’s 10 shots in 20 minutes, let it be. Just start having goals and you’ll instantly notice how organized your gameplay becomes.

They Work on Their Weaknesses

We are all guilty of this. There are things that we just dread doing. And we just don’t do it. What it is will vary from player to player. For some, it’s the short game. For the others, it might be the long game.

Whatever it is for PGA tour pros, they address it immediately. It’s one of the primary reasons behind their success.

If you have a habit of burying your weaknesses with your strengths, it’s time you get off of that habit.

Final Words

Life is not an easy one when you’re a PGA Tour pro. Whatever the notion of the world is, it takes a tremendous amount of dedication to the sport. If you believe you have it in you, you may start incorporating the actions we’ve discussed in this post.

Even if you just simply want to improve your gameplay, there are very few better ways to do it than what we’ve shared today. Pair it up with the rest of the guides on our website and you have an amazing golf career ahead of you.

Golf Practice Plans to Follow

• How to Score in the 60’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 70’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 80’s Golf Training Plan
• All Access: Get Every Practice Plan (Lifetime Membership)

Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor