Tommy Fleetwood’s runaway victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta owed as much to a single practiced routine as to peak performance on the course. Fleetwood leaned on a go-to drill that sharpened feel and tempo under pressure, turning consistent reps into the decisive shots that secured the biggest win of his career.
Organizers have confirmed LIV golfers will receive a formal qualification path to The Open, outlining criteria that could allow breakaway-tour players to compete in the major, officials said Friday
Organizers confirmed on friday that breakaway-tour players will be given a formal route into golf’s oldest major, with officials saying the new framework is intended to balance open competition with established exemption criteria. The announcement frames the move as a pragmatic solution to ensure the championship’s field reflects current playing strength while retaining historic qualifying traditions.
key elements of the proposed pathway were outlined as flexible components that could be included and refined during consultation:
- Performance-based slots tied to top finishes in designated LIV events
- World-ranking thresholds or points allocations recognized by The Open
- Special qualifying events or final qualifying spots reserved for non-conventional tour members
- Exemptions for major winners and top season performers, applied consistently across tours
Sources said the R&A and event organizers are aiming for parity with existing qualification routes, stressing that any inclusion of LIV players will not dilute the championship’s standards.Responses from stakeholders were mixed: some national federations welcomed the clarity,while traditionalists called for obvious ranking mechanics and anti-conflict safeguards to protect historic qualifying events.
The mechanics will be formalized through an administrative timetable, with officials promising publication of the full criteria well ahead of the next championship to allow players time to meet requirements. Below is an illustrative snapshot of how the pathway might be presented to players and media:
| Pathway | Illustrative condition |
|---|---|
| Designated Event Top Finishes | Top 3 at select LIV tournaments |
| World Ranking Threshold | inside top 100 at cutoff |
| final Qualifying | Reserved places at local final qualifying |
Officials emphasized that the proposal remains subject to final approvals and ongoing dialogue with tour partners. players and federations can expect a formal rulebook update and a communications campaign detailing how the pathway will operate, appeal mechanisms and any grandfathering provisions for current season results.
Inside the drill that rebuilt Tommy Fleetwood’s short game and why it paid off at the Tour Championship
Tommy Fleetwood’s late-career short-game overhaul hinged on a deceptively simple on‑green routine that coaches call the compact-contact drill. Implemented during the off‑season, the exercise emphasizes consistent low‑point control and a rhythmic, repeatable stroke – adjustments his team says smoothed out his distance control inside 20 feet.
The drill’s structure is straightforward and repeatable, built around three core moves that players can replicate on any practice green. Key elements include:
- Gate alignment: narrow tees create a channel to force a square clubface through impact.
- Tempo metronome: a two-count backswing and stroke to stabilize rhythm under pressure.
- Distance ladders: progressive targets at 6, 12 and 18 feet to sharpen pace judgment.
| Drill Element | Immediate Effect |
|---|---|
| Gate alignment | Cleaner contact |
| Tempo metronome | Reduced yips and deceleration |
| distance ladders | Better speed control |
At the Tour Championship, the payoff was visible: putts from mid-range tracked more consistently and save opportunities turned into par more often. Observers noted Fleetwood’s ability to avoid sloppy tap‑ins and three‑putts on the closing holes – a practical reflection of the drill’s focus on pace and contact.
Coaches and analysts framed the tweak as a textbook case of targeted practice producing tournament results. By isolating one repeatable flaw and drilling it under match‑tempo conditions, Fleetwood converted practice-room discipline into on‑course resilience, a decisive advantage in the season’s biggest events.
Precise swing tempo and alignment cues used in the drill and how to practice them for consistency
Coaches on site described a drill that locks a repeatable rhythm and razor‑sharp aim, citing a measurable **3:1 backswing-to-downswing tempo** and alignment markers that simplify setup.Observers noted the drill turns abstract feel into verifiable data for players seeking Tour‑level consistency.
The tempo is enforced with a metronome or audible count: **three** ticks for the takeaway, a short pause at the top, and **one** tick through impact. Practitioners are instructed to feel the ratio rather than rush – slow, deliberate backswing, decisive transition, and an aggressive single‑beat release.
Alignment is reduced to three core cues: **feet parallel to target line**, **shoulders aligned slightly left of feet for a draw bias**, and **clubface square to the intermediate target**.Coaches recommend practicing these steps in sequence:
- Set feet and place two alignment sticks on the ground.
- Take practice swings to the metronome; confirm shoulder line visually.
- Hit 10 balls focusing only on clubface at address, then integrate tempo.
Practice plan (sample):
| Drill | Tempo target | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Groove swings (no ball) | 3:1 metronome | 30 |
| Alignment feed (short irons) | Match address to sticks | 20 |
| Full shots (combine) | 3:1 with impact focus | 40 |
Performance tracking should be objective: use a metronome app, alignment sticks, and launch monitor or impact tape. Key metrics to watch are **face angle at impact**, percentage of on‑line starts, and tempo consistency. Players who logged steady tempo and alignment improvements reported immediate gains in dispersion control and scoring opportunities.
how distance control reps in the drill translated to better scoring on par 5s and long approaches
Tommy Fleetwood’s training block centered on repetitive distance-control swings from long range, turning vague feel into measurable outcomes. Practice sessions targeted par‑5 carry distances and 160-220‑yard approaches, converting volume reps into on‑course confidence.
| Metric | Before Drill | After Drill |
|---|---|---|
| Avg proximity (long approaches) | 35 ft | 18 ft |
| Par‑5 birdie rate | 36% | 52% |
| Up‑and‑down from 2nd cut | 48% | 62% |
The transfer was immediate in tournament play: improved yardage execution reduced layup variability and increased aggressive line choices into greens. course management shifted from conservative to strategic – Fleetwood was able to attack pins knowing his distances were repeatable.
- Short routine bursts – multiple shots to same yardage until dispersion tightened.
- Targeted club mapping – cataloging exact flight/roll for each option.
- Pressure simulation – counting reps under time or competitive stakes.
Coaches credited the regimented reps with enhancing decision‑making on par‑5s and long approaches, a practical link between practice and scoring. The result was a tangible climb up leaderboards as long shots turned into legitimate birdie opportunities during the Tour Championship run.
Coach player feedback methods and video checkpoints to accelerate improvements from the drill
Coaches across the tour have tightened the feedback loop around the practice that underpinned Tommy Fleetwood’s late surge, using targeted cues and video markers to convert a single drill into measurable on-course gains. Teams report faster transfer from range to rounds when feedback is immediate and specific.
Typical methods blend technology and touch: **live audio cues**, launch-monitor numbers, and split-screen video reviews. Coaches favor short, repeatable inputs that players can recall under pressure. Key tools in the toolkit include:
- On-spot voice coaching during practice swings
- Wearable tempo trackers to normalize swing rhythm
- Instant video playback for posture and impact verification
Video checkpoints are brief, repeatable and timestamped to create a chain of evidence: setup (-2s), mid-swing (0s), impact (+0.02s) and finish (+1s). Coaches mark these frames, annotate body lines and compare them to the player’s baseline to isolate drift. The result is a visual prescription rather than a verbal guess.
| Checkpoint | Purpose | Speedy Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Stability & alignment | “Frame the ball” |
| Mid-swing | Width & tempo | “Long arm” |
| Impact | Compression & path | “Hold the face” |
Accelerating improvement hinges on short feedback cycles: record, review, correct, and re-run within the same session. Coaches set micro-goals,track them with video checkpoints and use bold performance metrics-strokes gained,dispersion,tempo consistency-to judge readiness to carry the drill to competition. Early returns show quicker adoption and steadier scoring under pressure.
Suggested practice schedule and rep counts to embed the drill into a two week tournament plan
Two-week block deploys a progressive load: start with high-volume technical repetitions, shift to precision and pressure simulations, then taper. The plan mirrors tour routines – morning groove work, afternoon on-course validation, evening consolidation.
Daily sessions are compact and counted for measurable transfer. Core elements include:
- Warm-up: 20 slow shadow swings + 10 short-range reps
- Main drill: 40 focused reps (groove-to-target, tempo control)
- Pressure sets: 3 sets × 8 reps under result
- On-course: 6-9 holes applying the drill twice
Adjust intensity by ±20% depending on fatigue.
| Week | Daily Drill Reps | Avg Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (Build) | 60-70 | 45 |
| Week 2 (Sharpen) | 40-50 | 30 |
Coaching briefings should occur every third day with video review to confirm motor pattern consolidation.
Match-week protocol trims volume and preserves nervous energy. Key adjustments:
- 72-48 hours: drop to maintenance reps (30-35), keep tempo drills
- 24 hours: brief touch session only (10-15 reps), visualisation
- Tournament day: pre-round routine replicates frist 10 competition reps
This approach aligns with elite load management and on-site performance demands.
Progress is logged with simple KPIs: rep completion rate, tempo consistency, error band (yards or feet), and perceived readiness. Coaches reported that players who tracked these metrics across the two-week block saw measurable carryover into scoring; consistency beat volume in late-round situations.
Performance metrics to track and simple tests to measure transfer from practice to competitive play
Coaches tracking the drill that powered Tommy Fleetwood’s surge are zeroing in on a handful of decisive metrics: proximity to hole, dispersion, strokes gained (short game) and clutch putt conversion.These measures, reported in clear numerical terms, tell whether a practice routine is translating into tournament gains.
Simple, repeatable tests replicate tournament pressure and produce comparable data. Try these on-course checks after practice:
- 10-shot target test – hit 10 shots to a defined target and log dispersion.
- Pressure par drill – play three holes alone, score under a self-imposed penalty clock.
- Lag-putt conversion – 8 attempts from 25-40 feet, measure one-putt rate.
- Short-game consistency – 12 chips to a circle: count up-and-downs.
These generate headline stats teams can compare week to week.
| Metric | Test | Quick Target |
|---|---|---|
| Dispersion | 10-shot target | <30 yds |
| Proximity | Approach to 20 ft | Avg ≤15 ft |
| Short Game | Chip circle | 70% up-and-down |
| Putting | Lag conversion | 50% one-putt |
Measuring transfer requires the comparison of practice baselines with competition outputs – the industry calls this the transfer rate. Track the same metrics during a warm-up and across tournament rounds, noting deviations beyond set thresholds (such as, a 20% drop in one-putt rate). Video clips and launch-monitor snapshots provide objective proof when subjective feel diverges from results.
for ongoing monitoring, adopt a simple cadence: baseline weekly, pre-tournament check, and post-event review. Use these tools:
- Launch monitor for ball-flight and spin.
- Shot-tracking app for dispersion maps.
- Stopwatch/scorecard for pressure drills.
Teams reporting these metrics in the Fleetwood model can quickly judge whether the drill is practice-only theater or a genuine competitive advantage.
Q&A
Headline: The go-to drill that helped Tommy Fleetwood win big at the Tour Championship – Q&A
Q: What drill did Fleetwood rely on at the Tour Championship?
A: Fleetwood leaned on a short-game “gate-and-feel” drill that isolates low-point control and tempo on chips and pitches around the green.
Q: How is the drill performed?
A: Place two tees or alignment sticks to create a narrow gate a few inches in front of the ball. the player practices striking down through the ball so the clubhead exits cleanly through the gate,focusing on consistent low-point and a smooth,repeatable tempo.
Q: Who introduced the drill to Fleetwood?
A: his coaching team incorporated the drill during pre-tournament practice to sharpen contact and distance control under pressure.
Q: Why did it matter at the Tour Championship?
A: The format and pressure of the Tour Championship magnify the value of reliable short-game shots. The drill tightened Fleetwood’s contact and pace, helping him save pars and convert birdie chances when greens were fast and pin positions were testing.
Q: What immediate benefits were visible during the event?
A: Observers noted improved consistency around the greens, fewer mis-hits, and better ability to get up-and-down from tight lies – translating into lower scores in crucial moments.
Q: Can recreational players use the drill?
A: Yes. It’s simple to set up and effective for any level. Start with larger gates and slower swings, then narrow the gate and increase speed as contact and confidence improve.Q: How often should players practice it?
A: Short, focused sessions several times a week are more effective than long, unfocused practice. Spend 10-15 minutes per session emphasizing feel and repeatability.
Q: Any caveats for amateurs trying it?
A: Avoid overthinking mechanics; prioritize consistent contact and pace. If you struggle with posture or balance, address those basics first with a coach before intensive drill work.
Summary: Fleetwood’s adoption of a straightforward gate-and-feel short-game drill underlines how focused, repeatable practice can produce outsized results on golf’s biggest stages.
As Fleetwood heads into the offseason with a signature win on his résumé, the go-to drill that powered his Tour Championship surge looks set to influence coaches and players alike. simple, repeatable and results-driven, it may soon become a staple on practice tees from the Tour to local clubs.
