John L Montgomery III

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s playing the margins.

During this playing lesson with Joon, we spent a lot of time talking about attitude, expectations, and what it really means to be competitive.

Many junior golfers are too hard on themselves and create unrealistic expectations about what effective golf should look like. They strive for perfect shots, when great golfers understand that the game is about managing misses and giving yourself the best chance to succeed.

So we focused on controlling the things we actually can:

• Have a clear plan
• Pick a smart target that gives you room for your misses
• Align properly
• Rehearse one simple feel
• Commit to the shot
• Accept the result

Once the ball is gone, there is nothing you can do about that shot. Getting upset about the result only has the potential to affect the next one.

And being optimistic and talking to yourself positively isn’t just about “feeling good.” It’s a competitive strategy.

If you’re truly competitive and want to give yourself the best chance to play your best, you have to make decisions that increase your chances of executing.

It doesn’t guarantee good golf. But it gives you a better chance to play well, respond better to mistakes, and ultimately enjoy the game more.

Compete with your decisions. Accept your results. Play the next shot.

The pump drill is one of my favorite ways to train proper release timing.

Pump your hands down to your trail leg while keeping the shaft parallel to the ground. From there, let the club release freely through the bottom of the swing.

Your goal is to hear the loudest whoosh just after the bottom of the swing. If you hear it too early, you’re releasing too soon. If you hear it too late, you’re holding on too long.

Train the timing first. Then let that same free release happen in your full swing.

Save this drill for your next practice session.

If you struggle with slicing the ball, weak contact, or feel like you’re steering the club through impact, your release is probably too restricted.

Try this simple feel: in your follow through, get your left thumb pointing over your left shoulder.

It’s an easy cue that encourages the club to fully release, helping the clubhead accelerate naturally instead of being held off.

Don’t try to manipulate the clubface. Just let the club swing freely and finish with your left thumb over your shoulder.

Give it a try and let me know how it changes your ball flight. 👇

I know it’s generally best to pick one stock shot and stick with it for consistency.

But every time I step onto a tee box, I feel like the course designer is telling me whether to hit a draw or a fade. The shape of the hole, the angles, the trouble, and what suits my eye all influence the shot I choose.

That’s one of my favorite parts of playing golf. Every hole asks a different question.

Does anyone else feel the same way? Do you like shaping the ball both ways, or do you prefer sticking to one stock shot?