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Four Lessons From Lucas Glover For Lower Scores
By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on
Lucas Glover is in contention at the John Deere Classic.
Lucas Glover’s lead at the John Deere Classic is a reminder that better golf often starts with simpler golf.
He's not leading because he found a secret move no one else knows about; through 36 holes, Glover's made 14 birdies and no bogeys. Those are tour-level numbers, but the formula is not reserved for those trying to win at TPC Deere Rune alone.
Here’s how everyday players can use his approach to clean up ball-striking, scoring and self-talk.
The Swing Lesson: Turn, Don’t Lift
One of the more relatable parts of Glover’s week is what he said about his swing. He talked about getting “lifty” in the backswing, stopping his turn and creating a two-way miss. It's something he and his PGA Coach Jason Baile were working on this week and work on a lot because that's not just a tour player problem... it's a golfer problem.
When the body stops turning and the arms keep going, the club can get too upright, disconnected or out of sequence. From there, players often see both misses: the pull or hook when they save it with the hands, and the block or slice when the club never gets back in front of them.
For most players, the feel is simple: turn your chest more around you and keep your arms connected to that turn.
Try this on the range:
- Take a mid-iron and make three-quarter swings.
- Feel your chest turn until your back is facing the target.
- Stop your lead arm around shoulder height.
- Keep the club from lifting independently with your hands.
- Hit five balls at 60 percent speed, five at 70 percent and five at 80 percent.
Your goal is not distance. Your goal is solid contact, a balanced finish and a predictable start line.
The Scorecard Lesson: Boring Is Beautiful
Fourteen birdies grabs attention, but the better coaching lesson is the zero bogeys. Most golfers are not going to make seven birdies in a round, but almost everyone can save shots by reducing doubles, penalty strokes and emotional mistakes.
Glover’s round shows the value of keeping the ball in play and staying patient. You do not have to attack every flag, force a hero shot from trouble or follow one mistake with two more.
Use this checklist on the course:
- Is the flag in a dangerous spot? Aim for the center of the green.
- Is there trouble short, long or on one side? Pick a target away from it.
- Are you between clubs? Choose the club that makes a smooth swing easier.
- Are you in trouble? Advance the ball back into play before chasing the miracle shot.
- On a par 5, lay up to a favorite wedge yardage if the green is not realistically reachable.
That might sound conservative, but it is mature golf.
The Practice Lesson: Build a Glover-Style Range Session
Most players go to the range and hit balls until they find one good feeling. Then they leave, hoping that feeling shows up on the course. A better plan is to practice the way Glover’s performance looks: organized, controlled and tied to scoring.
Here is a simple 35-minute session:
- Start with 10 half-swing wedges - Focus only on centered contact and balance.
- Hit 15 balls with a 7-iron - Use the “turn, don’t lift” feel. Hold your finish and watch your start line.
- Hit 10 drivers - Grade only one thing: did the ball finish in a playable window? Not perfect. Playable.
- Play nine simulated holes - Pick a fairway, green and target for each shot. Change clubs each time. Go through your full routine.
- Finish with five pressure putts - Choose a putt between four and six feet. Go through your routine and track how many you make.
Golf is not played in piles of 7-irons. It is played one decision at a time.
The Short-Game Lesson: Scrambling Is a Mindset
Glover’s 100 percent scrambling number gives average golfers a practical reminder: missing a green does not have to mean losing a shot automatically. The best players expect to get up and down. Most amateurs hope to.
When you miss a green, your first job is to choose the simplest shot available. If you can putt it, putt it. If you can bump it, bump it. If you need to fly it higher, use more loft, but do not make the shot harder than it needs to be.
Try this around the practice green:
- Drop two balls in the same spot.
- Hit both chips or pitches.
- Play the worst one until holed.
- Repeat from nine different spots.
- Keep score against par of 18.
This “two-ball worst ball” game forces you to value the first shot, but it also trains your ability to finish the job.
Lucas Glover’s week is not just a leaderboard story. It is a coaching story. It is a reminder that golf gets better when the swing gets simpler, the targets get smarter and the player gets a little kinder to himself.
That is something every golfer can take to the course this weekend.
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.
