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Make More Birdies Like Michael Brennan With These 3 Tips
By Luke Olson, PGA
Published on
After becoming one of only 14 players to make the cut at every Major Championship this season, Michael Brennan was bound for something more.
That finally came to fruition Sunday at the Wyndham Championship, shooting a final round 64 to finish at 22-under and qualify for the PGA Tour postseason.
His final round taught us many lessons that everyday golfers can take to their next round.
KEEP MAKING AGGRESSIVE SWINGS
After shooting a stellar 63 on Saturday to put himself in great position for Sunday, Brennan didn’t back off.
He continued to make committed swings and capitalize on his scoring opportunities when presented.
Coaching Tips
- Pick a target and trust it. Can’t make a committed swing when there’s doubt.
- Make a full turn with the hips and shoulders. When there’s doubt, swings tend to shorten/quicken up.
- Commit to a balanced finish to avoid steering the golf ball and sapping power and accuracy.
Try this drill:
At the range, hit balls with the focus of making a full turn and holding the finish in balance for a few seconds. These two feels can help you avoid your swing attempting to steer or guide the golf ball.
LONG BALL DOESN'T HURT
Brennan undoubtedly is one of the longest hitters on Tour. At Sedgefield Country Club, he averaged 329.3 yards off the tee while hitting just under 70% of fairways.
Great driving accuracy — especially the longer you can hit it — makes the game a lot easier. It’s no wonder he only missed 12 greens all week.
Coaching Tips
- Tee it higher and learn to hit up on it. It helps create launch while minimizing spin without the need to swing harder.
- Swing aggressively, but stay balanced. More speed is only useful if you can hit the center of the face.
- Pick an aggressive target if the hole allows it. A driver that finishes in the rough can still leave you with an easier approach.
Try this drill
At the range, move the ball slightly forward in your stance and tilt your upper body away from the target. From there, make swings allowing the club head to release past your hands at impact. The goal is to increase launch with minimal spin and without as much effort.
RIDE THE MOMENTUM
A big part of Brennan’s final round was his ability to rattle off five straight birdies on the front nine to shoot a 30.
While his back nine wasn’t as monumental, he still managed three birdies including one on the 18th to secure his second career win.
Coaching Tips
- Stay in the present. Five consecutive birdies or not, focus on one shot at a time.
- Stick with what’s working, especially if the swing feels good. Don’t make mechanical adjustments mid-round if you make one bad swing.
- Treat each tee shot as a brand new hole.
Try this thought
During a round after making a birdie, wipe it from your memory — same as you would a bogey — to give the next hole a reset. You'll put less pressure on yourself to make another and be in the same mindset you were ahead of the birdie hole. Copy and paste that mindset.
