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3 Golf Tips to Get Better From Team Europe's Solheim Cup Victory
By Brendon Elliott, PGA & Luke Olson, PGA
Published on
Quick Answer / Key Takeaways:
- Charley Hull: Reset mentally after a slow start using the Six-Ball Reset Drill to rebuild pre-shot routine consistency.
- Lottie Woad: Handle high-pressure situations with purpose using the 9-Target Pressure Drill.
- Linn Grant: Stick to your natural stock shot and game plan instead of forcing spectacular plays.
- Slow Green Putting: Extend your putter backstroke and follow-through by 1 inch while maintaining rhythm to control distance on slow or wet greens.
Team Europe's dramatic Solheim Cup victory offered masterclass performances in mental toughness, shot strategy, and distance control on slow greens. Stars like Charley Hull, Lottie Woad, and Linn Grant demonstrated key playing principles that everyday golfers can apply directly to lower their scores and handle pressure.
Below are four key coaching lessons and practice drills inspired by Team Europe's winning performance.
1. Charley Hull: Don’t Let a Slow Start Derail Your Round
Despite going winless through the first four sessions, Charley Hull set the tone for Team Europe during Sunday's singles matches, earning a 3-and-2 victory that sparked team momentum.
Coaching Tips:
- Commit fully to your routine and target before every swing.
- Play to your strengths to generate low-risk scoring opportunities.
- Isolate previous bad shots so they do not influence your upcoming shot.
Practice Drill: The Six-Ball Reset Drill
On the driving range, hit three consecutive balls using your normal swing cadence. Then, step completely away from the hitting area for 20 to 30 seconds. Take a deep breath, pick a new target, and execute your full pre-shot routine before hitting the next three balls. The focus is to practice starting fresh mentally after a break or poor shot.
2. Lottie Woad: Embrace Pressure in Clutch Moments
Making her Solheim Cup debut, Lottie Woad rebounded from a winless start to claim a crucial 2-and-1 singles victory against Auston Kim, securing Europe's 14th point.
Coaching Tips:
- Maintain aggressive decision-making during high-intensity moments.
- Trust the fundamentals and technique that got you to this point.
- Avoid playing defensively when facing critical pressure shots.
Practice Drill: The 9-Target Scoring Drill
Select nine specific targets on the practice range. Score 1 point for hitting inside your target zone and 0 points for missing. Your objective is to achieve at least 7 out of 9 points. If you score under 7, restart the drill. This adds measurable consequences to your practice session, simulating high-pressure situations.
3. Linn Grant: Play Your Own Game
Linn Grant delivered an undefeated performance for Team Europe, capping her week with a 4-and-3 singles victory. Her disciplined play highlighted that success in match play and stroke play comes from consistent positioning rather than forcing high-risk shots.
Coaching Tips:
- Stick to your natural shot shape and play to your personal strengths.
- Be aggressive toward safe targets without forcing high-risk shots.
- Establish a strategic game plan prior to stepping onto the first tee.
Practice Drill: Stock Shot Commitment Test
Play nine holes while committing strictly to your preferred stock shot shape (e.g., a standard draw or fade). Track your level of commitment on every shot and evaluate post-round whether sticking to one consistent shot shape improved your confidence and scoring consistency.
4. Putting Strategy: How to Adjust to Slower, Wet Greens
Putting distance control on slower, grassier, or wet greens often dictates success in team competition. Team Europe adjusted effectively to the Netherlands' slower putting surfaces by making slight adjustments to stroke length without altering tempo.
Key Putting Principles for Slow Greens:
- Stroke Length: Allow the putter head to travel approximately one inch farther on the backstroke and follow-through while preserving natural tempo.
- Grip Pressure: Maintain light, uniform grip pressure to feel the weight of the putter head and prevent sudden wrist tension during transition.
- Centerness of Contact: Use impact tape on the putter face during practice to verify that off-center hits (heel or toe) are not causing erratic ball speed loss.
Practice Drill: The Three-Ball Distance Control Test
- Locate a level 20-foot putt on the practice green and place a tee 2 feet behind the hole.
- Roll your first ball using your standard putting stroke.
- Roll your second ball while extending your stroke approximately 1 inch longer back and through.
- Roll your third ball using the stroke length that consistently stopped the ball between the cup and the target tee.
Repeat this test on uphill and downhill putts to calibrate your touch before heading to the first tee.
Summary of Solheim Cup Coaching Drills
Player / Technique | Key Focus Area | Recommended Practice Drill |
Charley Hull | Pre-shot routine & mental reset | Six-Ball Reset Drill |
Lottie Woad | Clutch pressure performance | 9-Target Scoring Drill |
Linn Grant | Shot commitment & strategy | Stock Shot Commitment Test |
Team Europe Putting | Slow green distance control | Three-Ball Distance Control Test |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you reset mentally after a bad start in golf?
To reset mentally after a poor start, isolate each shot by stepping back from the ball, taking a breath, and completing a structured pre-shot routine. Focus entirely on execution for the current target rather than dwelling on past hole scores.
How should you adjust your putting stroke on slow or wet greens?
On slow greens, lengthen your putter backstroke and follow-through by roughly one inch while maintaining your natural stroke rhythm and tempo. Avoid hitting or punching at the ball, as this causes inconsistent distance control.
What is the best way to practice under pressure on the golf range?
Incorporate measurable goals with immediate consequences into your range practice, such as target-scoring challenges where you must hit a target quota before finishing your session.
PGA of America Golf Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. Read his recent “The Starter” on R.org and his stories on Athlon Sports. To stay updated on his latest work, sign up for his newsletter and visit OneMoreRollGolf.com.
