This week’s blog topic is about, “How to Spot a Good Golfer (And What You Can Learn From Them)”
You can often tell a good golfer not just by their smooth swing or picture-perfect follow-through—but by how they carry themselves on the course. The best players share a handful of habits that set them apart. The good news? These traits aren’t reserved for pros. You can develop them too. Here are four clear signs you’re watching a skilled golfer—and how to apply them to your own game.
1. They Have a Rock-Solid Routine
Good golfers don’t just walk up and swing. They follow a repeatable, deliberate pre-shot routine—every time. It’s like watching Johnny Wilkinson lining up a kick or Cristiano Ronaldo preparing a free-kick. These movements might seem small, but they’re huge for building confidence and consistency. Even more important is the mental routine. Great golfers ask themselves questions before every shot: – What’s the wind doing? – Is this lie clean or tricky? – Where’s the best miss here? These checks help them make smart decisions instead of rushing in blind.
Takeaway: Create your own pre-shot routine. Keep it simple, make it consistent, and use it to focus your mind before every swing.
2. They Stay Cool—No Matter What
One of the easiest ways to spot a good golfer? Watch how they react to a bad shot. The best players stay calm. They don’t slam clubs, grumble, or spiral after a mistake. And they don’t get too high after a perfect drive, either. They play the shot in front of them—not the one behind, and not the one ahead.
Takeaway: Golf is a mental game. Learning to manage your emotions helps you stay focused and bounce back faster. Whether it’s a bad bounce or a missed putt, keep your head in the present.
3. They Play the Long Game
The best golfers know progress doesn’t happen overnight. As Gary Player once said, “A good golfer has the determination to win and the patience to wait for the breaks.” That patience shows up in the big picture—accepting the ups and downs of improvement—and in the small moments, like resisting the urge to force a hero shot after a tough hole.
Takeaway: Be patient with your development. Stick to your process, trust your practice, and remember that steady, thoughtful play often wins out over flash.
4. They Shine Around the Greens
A good golfer might have a decent drive—but they almost always have a sharp short game. From chipping to putting, they know how to save strokes when it counts. Ever heard the phrase “Drive for show, putt for dough”? It’s true. A strong short game not only keeps bogeys off the card, it also creates birdie chances and builds momentum through the round.
Takeaway: Want to lower your scores fast? Spend more time on your short game. Practice those tricky chips, bunker shots, and 5-footers. The more confident you are around the green, the more pressure you take off the rest of your game.
Final Thoughts
Spotting a good golfer isn’t just about watching great shots—it’s about recognizing the habits, mindset, and discipline that lead to them. The best part? These aren’t magical traits. They’re learnable. So next time you’re on the course, don’t just aim to play better—aim to think like a better player. Because when you adopt the mindset of a good golfer, the good golf tends to follow.
Tim Flotte is a PGA Class-A golf professional who was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to work for the PGA Tour at TPC Summerlin. While working for the PGA Tour, Tim completed the PGM Associate Program to obtain Class-A status in 2019. Shortly after completing this career milestone his mentor’s Michael Messner and Glenn Lee encouraged him to begin the Specialized Professional Program in Teaching & Coaching.
Leave a Reply