It takes intense discipline to be a professional golfer. From practicing, to fitness, to nutrition, every aspect of life for pros is strictly regimented. And that discipline goes beyond the golf course — these players are productive away from the game, too.
To gain insight into their mindset, we asked Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Tony Finau and Gary Woodland ahead of the PGA Championship what they do to stay productive.
1. Jon Rahm: Reading, journaling and meditation
Rahm likes to use his time wisely and feel useful, although he did mention he will veg out on some video games from time to time to decompress from golf.
“I think the time we live in now, I try not to leave home really,” he said. “We’re in houses and just stay in the house, so whatever it is, just reading. I’m a person who likes to write and journal, so I like to do that. Stretching, meditate, whatever. Whatever it is, honestly, that’s going to make me feel useful … I’m big in writing more than meditating. That’s my sense of peace of mind, at least.”
2. Tony Finau: Get away from the game
Finau tries to leave his game at the course. When he’s not practicing or competing, the most important thing for him is to get his mind off golf.
“A lot of my time I’m actually spending with my family and my kids away from the game,” Finau said. “I still get I think the amount of practice I need to keep me playing at a high level, but most of the time when I’m home, I’m with my family and doing things with my kids … When I leave the golf course, I’m trying not to think too much about golf and competing. I might watch some Netflix. I’m a pretty avid reader, so I enjoy reading. I used to be a movie watcher before Covid, and not able to do that these days. I actually try to take myself away from the game because we’re so consumed and competing while we’re out here. My dad taught me at a young age, when you’re away from the golf course, your mind doesn’t need to be there anymore. “
3. Jordan Spieth: Hit the gym and catch up on rest
Spieth said off weeks can be busier than tournament weeks. When he’s not competing, he’s always figuring out ways to get better, whether that be in the gym, or with his swing coach Cameron McCormick.
“My off weeks are a lot of times busier than they are tournament weeks. I normally take two days off and then that’s my one weekend a month pretty much,” he said. “I train in the mornings. I like to train in the gym before I go to the course. I normally start out Wednesday with Cameron at home, try and figure out what we’re going to do that week, and then I’m going to kind of practice playing depending on what’s better for me at the time. If I need to work on some stuff I’m practicing a little bit more, but try and get out and play three or four times in an off week and any kind of games that we can find at home. See family, see my friends, but in the evenings, and then try and also catch up on rest.”
4. Gary Woodland: Get work done at the course
Woodland’s life has changed a lot since he’s become a dad. Now, he’s got to be ultra focused on getting in solid reps at the course, because when he comes home, it’s all about being a good father and husband.
“It’s a big transition for me now having kids,” he said. “When I go practice, it needs to be there; it’s more quality or quantity. I need to make sure I’m getting my work in there and still being at home and being a dad and a husband. On the road it’s completely different. It’s more of I’m here to win a major championship. So I’m at the golf course most of the day … If I’m not, I’m doing recovery getting my body ready and resting for a big week.”