In the world of professional sports, accountability and taking ownership of one’s performance are crucial factors that can make or break an athlete’s career. For golfer Justin Thomas, this realization came after the Wyndham Championship, where he felt he had lost his sense of accountability and became too reliant on his team.
Thomas acknowledged that he had been overly dependent on his team to solve any issues or challenges he faced in his game. Instead of actively getting involved in making necessary changes, he would rely on his support system to handle everything. This lack of personal involvement eventually took a toll on his performance and left him feeling dissatisfied.
To address this concern, Thomas decided to take a step back and reassess his approach. He realized that he needed to regain control of his game and become more accountable for his own performance. One of the significant changes he made was scaling back his father’s involvement in his golfing affairs.
While Thomas’ father, Mike, has been his swing coach for quite some time, Thomas recognized the need for a more balanced dynamic between their relationship on and off the golf course. In the past, his father would accompany him to every tournament and observe every range session. However, Thomas realized that this arrangement was not conducive to his personal growth and success.
Instead, Thomas opted for a similar arrangement to when he was in peak form during 2017-18. Back then, his father was still balancing his job as a PGA professional, and they had a more limited partnership in terms of their involvement. This allowed Thomas to take more ownership of his game and be actively engaged in the decision-making process.
Furthermore, Thomas also decided to part ways with his putting coach, John Graham. While Graham had played a significant role in Thomas’ career, the golfer realized that he had become too reliant on his input. Thomas understood that he needed to explore and discover his own style and techniques when it came to putting.
The changes made by Thomas demonstrate his commitment to personal growth and development as a golfer. By taking a step back from his team’s constant involvement and reassessing his own role in his game, he has shown a renewed sense of accountability and ownership.
Thomas’ decision to limit his father’s presence at tournaments and range sessions allows him to regain control and actively participate in his game. It reflects his understanding that he needs to be more engaged in the decision-making process and take ownership of his performance.
Parting ways with his putting coach also signifies Thomas’ willingness to explore new approaches and techniques. By stepping out of his comfort zone and trusting his own instincts, he aims to discover a putting style that suits him best.
As Thomas moves forward with these changes, it will be interesting to see how they affect his game and overall performance. By taking a more proactive and accountable approach, he has set himself up for personal growth and success on the golf course. Only time will tell if these adjustments lead to the desired results, but one thing is for sure – Justin Thomas is determined to reclaim control of his game and take ownership of his success.