I was standing on the practice tee watching Bruce Fleisher hit little wedge shots to a 50 yard flag. I just watched for a bit. His tempo was the same every time. His routine was the same every time. It was quick and repeated for every shot. I could tell there was no thought involved.

He moved up group his clubs to different targets, and I noticed his tempo never varied. He never looked like he was reaching for more power or more of anything, for that matter. He seemed to be very much involved in enjoying his practice session. It occurred to me to start asking him about his reemergence into professional golf, but I waited for a better moment.

I caught up to him later – away from the range. I asked him about the comments Johnny Lap. had made about how he was destroying the fields in South Florida in his forties, and how it led him back to he tour. He told me he had one goal before he ever stepped foot into his first tour event. He wanted to be the best wedge player in the world. Nice, right? He basically proved everything I had discovered in one statement.

Bruce wasn’t long off the tee. But he led the PGA tour in par five birdie conversions every year he was out there. That means he was more effective from 100 yards than anyone else was from the front of the green or even on he greens. Bruce told me he went to Bob Rotella, whom he respects, and ran his goal by Bob. Bob didn’t like his goal. Bruce said he seemed to be upset by it. I wonder why?

If everyone had such a specific intention with their golf game, why would they ever need to see Bob Rotella? Bob is great at what he does, but what he does is not necessary for golfers like Bruce, who lack doubt and confusion. For golfers like Bruce, it’s as simple as knowing the most important parts of the game, choosing one he felt most important in feeding the others, and becoming the best in the world at that specific skill. That is power over your own mind.

Every great golfer had a specific intention with their golf ball. Find yours.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy