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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. 
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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.

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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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