John Daly has 2 surprising tips for amateur golfers

There’s no denying the talent that John Daly possesses on the golf course. Wild Thing is one of the most charismatic players in the game, but it’s easy to forget he’s a two-time major champion. For that reason, Daly has plenty of tips to pass onto amateur golfers.

Of course, Daly is best known for his incredibly long backswing and impressive power off the tee. But, that isn’t something any of us are going to be able to replicate, and that might be for the best.

Instead, Daly, in a video posted by Mentality Golf on YouTube, passes on two impressive bits of wisdom that can help your game. And believe it or not, they’re all about reigning in your swing and keeping things smooth.

John Daly on controlling iron shots

You might expect Daly to tell the rest of us to copy his super long backswing, but the opposite is true. Instead, during this clinic, the 1995 Open champion tells us that taking an extra club and gripping down on it is the best way to hit more greens.

“If the amateur thinks it’s an 8-iron, let’s shorten the club, and think of your favourite swing with a wedge like you’re going to hit an 80 yard shot. That’s what I do. I choke down on a 7-iron, and I just hit it normal, almost like a chip,” he says.

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Of course, Daly’s “chip” swing is much longer than any of our normal golf swings, but the point still remains. Daly explains that gripping down makes the shaft a little shorter and a little stiffer, which reduces margin for error.

“Trying to grip an 8-iron on the heel of the grip and thinking it’s going to make you hit it longer, putting it back in your stance and gripping it tight. That’s what you don’t want to do.”

John Daly: Do this when you’re struggling

Another thing Daly says that amateur players should focus on is building confidence before they head out on the course, and it makes perfect sense.

If you’re not feeling too confident before an important round, then don’t try and find the answer by swinging a club you’re not fond of. Instead, pick out your favourite from the bag, and find some confidence with that.

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“Every amateur has a favourite club. I don’t care if it’s their driver, their sand wedge, whatever. Just warm up with it,” he says.

“The bottom line is, before you go to the first tee, you want to have confidence in your game. If you’re not hitting a club very good, don’t hit it on the range.”

So there you have it. You might have thought the man with the longest backswing on the PGA Tour Champions would tell you to swing as hard as you can with the driver at every chance, but you’d be wrong.

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