Tiger Woods: Green to Tee Mentality

During the 2006 British Open–one of the four Major PGA golf tournaments–Tiger Woods pulled out his driver only two times. 

I’ll say that again. Over all four days and 72 holes of the tournament, he pulled out his driver only two times.

We often think the best golfers are the ones who hit it farthest. 

But in 2006, Tiger dominated the British Open by teeing off with four and five irons, and aiming his shots to particular edges of the fairways, not always the middle.

Other players constantly outdrove Tiger. But he won the tournament going away. Because while most players thought about the game in terms of tee to green (start at the tee and end up on the green), Tiger went green to tee.

He walked the course, studied the fairways, and decided what the easiest and/or highest probability putt was first. Where on the green do I want to be for my best putt? Then he reverse engineered his shots all the way back to the tee.

Consider the process for yourself:

• Where do I want to putt from?

• What is the best spot in the fairway to shoot to that spot on the green?

• What is the best club to use to get myself to that spot in the fairway?

Where can you apply “green to tee” thinking this week?

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.