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Ride the Wave: The Keys to Maintaining Momentum

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Xander Schauffele of team United States and Patrick Cantlay of team United States shake hands on the 15th green during Friday Morning Foursome Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 24, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Momentum…we hear so much about it during events like the Ryder Cup. 
Webster defines Momentum in two ways, the second of these, pertains to what we are looking at here…”Strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events.” As most know, there is both a good and bad side of momentum. 
We definitely see both in the heat of Ryder Cup matches.
Is there a trick to riding momentum for the positive when you are in the early stages of gaining it? Conversely, is there a way to break out of bad Mo when it starts rolling that way?
In either case, what is happening is something that is generally outside of the norm for us during the course of a routine round…good or bad. I have a few students that have been going through this very thing over their last few rounds. They are getting pretty deep into their nine-hole matches where they find themselves even, one over or sometimes even one under after 6 or 7 holes yet stumble to the finish line with a few doubles and an occasional triple to shoot their normal 40 to 42. On the flip side, I have another student that generally starts off shaky only to smooth things out over the middle through late parts of his round.
Either of these examples sound like you?
The Keys to Maintaining Good Momentum and Breaking out of Bad…
If things are going well, it is critical to just stick to your normal routine and from a mental standpoint, never get too much ahead of yourself. The idea is to stick to your pre-round, planned out, 3-hole segment goals, and if things start going well, where you are exceeding your expectations, you just relax, take some deep breaths, and go with it, while keeping your original laid out plan always at the top of your mind. 
Conversely, when things start to come undone, it is pretty much the same advice…continue to try and stick to that original game plan. Without question, one thing you cannot do, is to get into a mindset of trying to “force it” and try to do more in order to play “catch up” as this generally leads to digging a much bigger hole.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.