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Golf Tips: Two Keys to Bounce Back After a Tough Round

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

Anyone who has ever picked up a club knows that golf can quickly become a frustrating and grueling challenge.
Even for professionals.
It is rare that we see the best players in the world struggle, but it does indeed happen, and more often than one would think. Look no further than what's happened the last few days at the U.S. Women's Open. Lancaster Country Club has challenged the world's best players, most notably World No. 1 Nelly Korda who missed the cut.
Korda during Round 2 of the U.S. Women's Open.
Korda during Round 2 of the U.S. Women's Open.
Nelly's opening round of 80, which came off the rails early with a ten on the testy par-3 12th, her third hole of the day, made it hard for her to bounce back and play the weekend. One thing to note — and it is critical — is how that round in no way, shape or form, is an indication of her fantastic play this year. She said it herself: "It was just a bad day at the office."
Nelly's struggles, and much of the field's challenges at Lancaster, just proves how hard this game really can be. But there is much to learn from watching the world's best, well, not have their best.
Start with resiliency
One key takeaway is the importance of mental resilience. Even the best golfers in the world face challenges and setbacks but demonstrate resilience by staying focused and positive. Amateur golfers can learn from this by developing their mental toughness and learning to bounce back from bad shots or difficult situations on the course.
Nelly's opening round of 80, which came off the rails early with a ten on the testy par-3 12th, her third hole of the day, made it hard for her to bounce back and play the weekend. One thing to note — and it is critical — is how that round in no way, shape or form, is an indication of her fantastic play this year. She said it herself: "It was just a bad day at the office."
Right after her press conference, she was at the range with her PGA Coach Jamie Mulligan. Nelly could've easily gone home and tore apart her round, but she knew there was another chance to get better. While she ultimately missed the cut, think about hitting some putts or maybe a quick bucket after a bad round. It's a step in becoming more resilient.
Solidify your pre-shot process
This weekend, observe how the players approach difficult shots or tough course conditions at Lancaster. It can really provide valuable learning opportunities. By studying their decision-making process and shot selection, we can gain insights into course management and strategy that can help improve their own performance.
A solid pre-shot routine, like Minjee Lee displays, can help eliminate the big numbers
A solid pre-shot routine, like Minjee Lee displays, can help eliminate the big numbers
Golf is undeniably hard for even the most skilled and experienced professionals. The mental and physical demands, the unpredictable nature of the game, and the vast array of skills required all make golf a formidable challenge at any level. While the sport's serene exterior may deceive casual observers, those who have experienced the relentless pursuit of excellence on the golf course understand the true difficulty of the game.
If you want to learn more about how to recover from setbacks, contact your local PGA of America Golf Professional! They're expert guides in giving you the proper tools to succeed.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

After 16 remarkable years of nurturing young talent and fostering a love for golf through The Little Linksters Golf Academy, Brendon Elliott is excited to announce the transition of leadership to esteemed Coach Ricky Collado in 2025. As the baton is passed, Coach Ricky will take charge of all operations and become the primary point of contact for any Linksters-related inquiries. As Brendon steps into a new chapter, the focus will shift to launching and growing BE A GOLFER, a new academy dedicated to competitive teenage golfers. This initiative will continue both in-person and remote coaching, harnessing years of expertise to nurture the next generation of golfing talent. Further expanding horizons, Brendon will also dedicate time to One More Roll Golf Media. This venture aims to collaborate with various golf media outlets and businesses, delivering high-quality written, video, and voice content. Despite these new ventures, Brendon will remain closely connected with Little Linksters. A commitment to collaboration with Coach Ricky will continue, particularly with projects like the PGA Junior League, ensuring a lasting impact and smooth transition. “I am thrilled about the future of Little Linksters under Coach Ricky Collado’s leadership. This transition marks a change and an exciting new direction for me and the academy. I look forward to contributing my efforts towards developing competitive young golfers and advancing in the golf media landscape.” ~ Brendon R. Elliott, PGA More About Coach Brendon... Brendon Elliott is a distinguished PGA Professional who has received over 25 prestigious industry awards recognizing his contributions and influence in youth golf, most notably, the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. With numerous appearances on the Golf Channel and local news outlets in Florida, Brendon has established himself as a respected educator and influencer in the golf industry. Renowned for his expertise in all aspects of golf, he is a sought-after speaker at golfing events and panels. In the past three years, Brendon has expanded into media, writing for esteemed outlets such as PGA.com, PGA Magazine, Golf.com, GolfWRX.com, RG.org, and many others. Elliott is also part of the “Quiet Please Golf Podcast” crew and hosts a livestream show on the Golf Live App called “Monday Evening Tee Time.” Brendon’s dedication to advancing the sport has made a significant impact on the golf community.

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