Bryson DeChambeau says he got weird.
He’d practice at weird distances, or among weird obstacles, or on top of weird surfaces, or all of the above. He got weirded out.
The point was practical.
The revelation came Wednesday, ahead of LIV Golf’s Virginia event, where DeChambeau answered a few questions on his preparation. One reporter, while noting DeChambeau’s well-documented range time, had wondered how his work ethic formed, and the two-time major winner said it came from a belief that he wasn’t as talented as other players, and that that developed an “obsession” to improve. At times, he said his hands bled from hitting balls.
“Hopefully I don’t have to do that as much anymore,” DeChambeau said, “but that work ethic remains from as a kid growing up realizing I wasn’t as good as others.”
Most range balls, though, are hit with little static. The shots aren’t hard.
But what about when they are, especially for amateur players? Asked if he had advice on the subject, DeChambeau went back to how he approached tough shots.
Get weird.
The more times you see them, the less they become, well, tough.
“Yeah, a lot of it’s trying a bunch of weird stuff in practice,” DeChambeau said. “Going out and putting yourself in an awkward situation. I think for amateurs alike, they need to experience that. Even though they may not execute it or complete it, they still have to try it out so they can get comfortable with their hand-eye coordination of oh, I’ve got to swing a little weird this time or do something different.
“The best piece of advice I give them is just practice in weird, unique situations for maybe an hour a week, 20 minutes, whatever. But try to be different and don’t just hit the same stock shot every time.”
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Have fun with it, too, DeChambeau said.
“Do a chipping contest with your amateur friends and throw it in the bunker from 50 yards or throw it in a bush and see if you can get out,” he said. “Stuff to that extent has suited my game very well. It’s allowed me to be an artist in my head, as much as I am a robot, and try to swing it as straight as possible and just stable as possible.
“I still do have to hit cuts and draws and hit weird shots every once in a while, so I think giving myself those opportunities in the bunker, in the bush, whatever, has only aided in my golf career. For amateurs, I would say go try some weird shots. Have some fun.”
The advice speaks to making the most out of casual rounds.
If time is of no concern, play around. Develop the feel for the funky.
Get weird.
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