Introduction to Post-Round Behavior by Golf Digest USA
Tigala, Homa, Thomas 'Practice Range Straight' Training Group
Veterans Hoffman and Harman Manage Condition with Ice Bath
Spieth Relieves Stress with a Cocktail Made by His Wife
'Routine'. It refers to the habitual actions or procedures athletes perform to bring out their best abilities. Golfers have their own routines when they step onto the course. They tee up the ball on the tee box, take practice swings, then confirm the target from directly behind before addressing the ball and swinging. Golf is an extremely sensitive sport. Having a solid pre-swing routine is essential for consistent shots.
So, what routines do players follow after finishing a round? Golf Digest in the United States carefully checked where players on the PGA Tour head after completing their rounds. This media outlet referred to this post-round routine as 'The 19th Hole.'
World No. 12 Sahith Theegala (USA) is a practice enthusiast. In an interview with this media, he said, "I like to practice for exactly 10 minutes. Just hitting a few shots without pressure," explaining, "I take about 10 shots and finish on a good one." Max Homa (USA) also heads to the practice range. "I like to relax at the practice range, chip shots, or hit balls without thinking. Then I stretch with a physical therapist, go home, eat, and sleep."
Justin Thomas (USA) also chooses training. "If I finish playing early, I do physical training. I warm up or do light weights for about 40 to 45 minutes," Thomas said. "I need to build muscles in specific areas like my hips and left shoulder. I want to just go home, but that’s not the path for me."
Charlie Hoffman (USA), 48 years old this year, pays more attention to body care. He said, "In the past, after finishing a round, I would have a beer or cocktail and then go home. Now I do ice baths, stretching, and use a massage device. This process, which takes about 30 minutes to an hour, is followed almost without fail after every round." He added, "Preparing the body condition for the next round is important. If I don’t follow this routine, I can’t guarantee I can compete here."
Brian Harman (USA) also manages his condition thoroughly. He honestly revealed, "On days when I played well, I used to drink a lot of beer. Now I don’t do that. There are so many young players who manage themselves very strictly. If you drink alcohol, it’s hard to compete with them." He also emphasized, "At large tournaments, recovery tents equipped with ice baths, saunas, and physical therapy facilities are set up. To secure competitiveness, you have to make good use of these facilities."
Some players refresh their mood through alcohol and food. Jordan Spieth (USA), currently ranked No. 1 in the world, is a representative example. He said, "Sometimes I drink. On really tough days, my wife makes me cocktails," adding, "If I play well in the first or second round and the tee time for the third round of the Open is late, I cook Mexican food and have it with Dos Equis, a Mexican beer."
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