What Golfers Can Learn From Tiger Woods' Latest Comeback at the Hero World Challenge

A winning four-step mental approach

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• Through discussions with your doctor, fully understand what your limitations will be. You're the one dictating what you will be willing to put in in terms of time and effort, so let the doctor know where you want to be and start the planning from there.
• Make a realistic game plan, from a time standpoint, on what you will have time for in terms of your day-to-day recovery, both physical and golf related.
• I highly recommend working with a golf fitness specialist in recovery, as well as a PGA Coach. The combination will help keep you determined, and patient.
• Plan your work and work your plan. In doing so, make sure to be smart about your approach. Reaggravation of your injuries or overuse of compensating parts of your body can lead to a much, much longer recovery.

Be adaptable!

• Embrace the opportunities ahead as you rediscover a new approach to the game. Learn your limitations and devise a plan for playing the game with that in mind.
• Practice to play, and play as your practice. This is an excellent approach for any golfer, but especially for those learning and adapting to a new way of playing the game.
• Work with a PGA of America Golf Professional to define your new playing method based on your specific injury. In your sessions with the coach, work specifically on learning and incorporating your new swing or approach to play.

• Split up your personal practice sessions. First through reinforcement of the new technique and approach through drills.
• Second, incorporate the new technique and approach into practice games, practice holes, or rounds. In these, technique is secondary, and learning to play and score with your new approach is the key.