Josh McCumber

"Act Without Expectation" 
​-Lau Tzu

A Golfer's Mantra

Tournament Golf Makes Me A Better Coach

5/13/2014

 
PictureU.S. Open Qualifying - Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club
Yesterday was a really fun day attempting to qualify for the U.S. Open.  9 years ago, I qualified for my 1st U.S. Open at Pinehurst.  I fell short of advancing to the sectional but in the process I remembered why playing tournament golf is so valuable.  I have been on the golf course a lot in tournament settings lately, just haven't played in them myself.  I have been coaching players on how they can perform at their optimal when the outcome means something to them and their future.  No matter how many times I tell my players how to approach a situation or how to handle adversity, if I'm not competing some, I am not giving them the best advice.  Playing tournament golf brings out a different level of anxiety, a different amount of tension.  Being able to think clearly, staying calm and relaxed is a skill that must be learned.  It's why Jack Nicklaus was so successful.  He said the four things that make a winner are the following: 


  1. Be able to think clearly under pressure
  2. Be patient
  3. Be self-centered, focusing on yourself and the golf course
  4. Be able to do 1-3 really well when it's not going well and you do not have your A game.

When competing myself, I am able to attempt to do the above.  It isn't easy when you are the one hitting shots.  It is pretty easy to say to a player what kind of shot was that you just hit?  What was your target? What were you thinking there? Emotions are a crazy thing.  Everyone responds to stress differently.  Competition reiterates to me every time the importance of a great routine that allows you to swing with great rhythm and tempo.  At the end of the day the most important is your attitude.  Can you adopt an attitude of confidence and playing with no consequences when the stakes are high?  I challenge all coaches to not lose sight of competing themselves so they can practice what they preach.  It will go a long way into getting your players to listen and buy in to what you want them doing under those conditions. Play the game...enjoy the walk.


2 Comments
Steve Borek link
5/13/2014 02:51:15 pm

Good post Josh.

There's so many who claim they're coaches but they haven't walked in their clients shoes.

Good to hear you're playing tournament golf.

I look forward to getting a lesson from you and playing 18 with you one day.

No 3 putts! ;-p

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Reid Sheftall link
5/14/2014 02:45:09 am

I have never coached anyone and I''m certainly not qualified to do so but I do think it helps to stay in touch with the pro game as a player. It is different- certainly a different kind of pressure- and having been out there battling the same pressures means a lot to your students who will want to play on tour.

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    Josh McCumber, professional golfer, coach and consultant has been playing golf almost all of his life. He has been around the game at the highest level, and has learned from the best players and instructors in the game. His uncle, Mark McCumber won 10 times on the PGA TOUR and his cousin Tyler McCumber is currently playing on the PGA TOUR. Josh will share his wisdom, knowledge and proprietary techniques from being out on the PGA TOUR with his uncle, his cousin and from his experience playing the Korn Ferry Tour (formerly Nationwide Tour) and 2 U.S. Opens.

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