23-year-old Texan Patrick Reed won the WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral by laying up twice in the final round to safely win by one stroke. Patrick has been winning since he went 6-0 in NCAA match play leading AugustaState to two national championships.
Reed has already won 3 times since turning pro two years ago. He has climbed to 20th in the world ranking and believes he is a top 5 player who can’t be beaten when he plays his best. After his victory he didn’t rest on his laurels. Reed said, “I can’t wait to get back out and play and try to get my fourth.”
He plans his game and plays to his plan
- Work ethic: He developed his game and his self confidence by practicing from 8:30am to 5:00pm five days a week when he was at home.
- Makes his own decisions: He switched from a 45-inch to a 43-inch driver for more accuracy that didn’t compromise his length.
- No fear: He has a fearless mentality. When he is in contention, he is not afraid.
- Mental edge: He believes he is twice as good as he is.
- Has a closer’s mentality: “I’m going last,” he told his coach at the NCAA. “I always want everything on my shoulders.”
- Red shirt outfit: Pros don’t wear red shirts on Sunday because Tiger does. Reed wears his red shirt and black pants on Sunday out of respect because he wants to emulate “the best player ever to live when I was growing up.”
Like Patrick Reed, create your mental game with a no fear of results mentality by believing in your abilities. Belief is the surest road to success.
A plan for springtime golf
If you live in the northern half of the country, due to the severe winter, the golf courses will be slow to return to their mid-summer conditions. Take a hint from nature and plan your return to the game by creating it one step at a time to develop your confidence.
- Swing at 75% effort. Your golf muscles need to be activated slowly.
- Breathe deeply before every shot to relax your mind and body.
- Practice your pre-shot routine until it is a habit. Be diligent and use it before every shot and putt.
- Lower your expectations. Do not expect to play like you did at the end of the summer. Making progress is the plan.
- Keep the ball in play. Play target golf. Focus on hitting fairways, greens and the cup.
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