Brooks Koepka: Amateur golfers “don’t understand” this key mistake

Ever tune into coverage of professional golf and see a golfer hitting a miraculous shot?

Maybe they’ve hit the green after being behind a tree, or made birdie after being in some seemingly impossible to escape rough.

The thing is, this is far from being the case most of the time. Even the very best players in the world will often drop a shot when their ball is in the trees.

But, according to Brooks Koepka, that’s something that amateur golfers just can’t come to terms with.

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“That’s just one thing that ams, they don’t understand is, when you get into trouble, the first rule is to get out,” the five-time major champion told Rick Shiels, as they played Dutchman’s Pipe Golf Club in Florida alongside fellow LIV Golf star Jon Rahm.

Koepka had just watched Shiels make heavy weather of the par-4 fifth hole at the course, but after taking his medicine, he was able to leave himself a putt for par.

It lead Koepka to bemoan amateurs he sees who always take on shots that might not be achievable for them, leading to blow up holes that leave their scorecard in tatters.

“When I’m playing with amateurs, whether I’m playing with them at home or in pro-ams, when they get into trouble, they always think they need to go for the green or for the hero shot,” said the 34-year-old.

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“It’s amazing when you go and play with these guys, if you literally just hit it out, play it safe, hit a wedge, you’re going to make a better score nine times out of ten.

“You know what, I’m going to hit 3-wood, going to hit 3-iron and try and run it on the green and hit the miraculous shot. Look, I couldn’t hit it on the green from where you were at!”

It might not be exciting, but remember, boring golf is good golf. Just try and remind yourself of that the next time you think you can see a gap in the trees.

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor