One of the joys of working on the DP World Tour is that some of the most valuable lessons are not learned on the practice ground or in the gym. They are the product of quiet conversations with people who have been at the top level of the game for decades.

This week I was lucky enough to spend some time with Mats Lanner, a former European Tour winner who missed out on being the first Swede to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup by one spot. He’s a very clever guy with a lot of knowledge about what it really takes to get better in golf, in addition to his achievements.

What impressed me most was his journey. He did not follow the elite development route. He worked his way up through the club ranks, gained his status through Monday qualifiers and worked his way slowly to the top. He had to work for everything he got.

The need to adjust was one of the key points of our conversation. Great golfers are always looking for ways to get better, whether that is a new golf fitness training program, better practice habits or the advice of a good golf fitness coach but not at the expense of the fundamentals that got them to where they are today.

Too often players put a lot of time, effort and money into a particular swing change, training programme or practice drill. The same thing can happen when you follow a online golf fitness training program or try a new training method. When it’s not working they just keep because they’ve already invested so much. Lanner thinks one of the most important skills in golf is constantly checking to see if what you are doing is actually working.

If not, don’t be afraid to change direction.

That’s not an error. It’s education.

The best players don’t cling to a process that isn’t helping them improve. They have the integrity to see when something is wrong and the courage to change direction. Sometimes you can make the right adjustments at the right time and that is progress, whether you are working with a golf fitness trainer, taking online golf lessons or working with a online golf coaching program.

This rule is true for any development area. Sometimes it’s your golf swing, your practice routine, your physical training, or even your mindset, but the quickest way forward is to stop, reassess, and make a change. Even players who have the advantage of remote golf coaching can do even better if they’re open to being flexible with their approach rather than sticking to a strategy that no longer works for them.

Because improvement isn’t about following the plan. It’s about finding what works for you. Those golfers who are most successful whether they are following a structured training plan, expert coaching or chasing long-term performance goals, understand that progress requires both commitment and flexibility.

Recognizing When to Change Direction A Lesson from Mats Lanner & the DP World Tour

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