Quick Tip:
- Don’t swing at the ground in frustration; keep your clubface pointed away from people.
- After a poor shot, pause and reset your mental focus before your next swing.
- Practice controlled, light swings over the turf without aggressive follow-through.
The Mistake: Letting Frustration Drive Your Swing
One of the most common mistakes in pro golf is reacting to a bad shot with an uncontrolled swing at the turf, often called a "divot lash." Jon Rahm made this error during the first round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. After hitting his second shot over the green on the par-4 7th hole, Rahm swung aggressively at the grass out of frustration. Unfortunately, that divot struck a volunteer in the face and shoulder.
Why It Happens: The Emotional Trap in Pro Golf
Frustration-driven swings happen because golf demands constant mental reset, but even the best players get caught off guard. When a shot goes wrong, the impulse is to release tension physically. However, this often leads to uncontrolled club movement. Rahm’s case shows how even pros aren’t immune—he admitted he wasn’t looking during that swing, which is why the divot flew unexpectedly. This highlights how quickly a moment of anger can translate into an unintended consequence.
The Fix: Step-by-Step Control for Frustration Swings
1. Recognize Your Feelings: The moment you want to lash out, pause. Take a deep breath to prevent an uncontrolled swing.
2. Set Your Club Properly: Hold the club with your lead arm relaxed and your trail arm slightly bent, keeping the clubface pointing upwards, not at the ground or people.
3. Make a Gentle Practice Swing: Keep the clubhead low and swing just over the grass with a short backswing—think 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock on a clock face.
4. Check Your Body Position: Your trail elbow should be below your lead elbow at the top of the swing to avoid flipping the clubface.
5. Finish Quietly: Avoid aggressive follow-through. Let the clubhead fall naturally to avoid creating a flying divot.
Tour players like Justin Thomas often show controlled practice swings between shots, even after a tough hole, using calm, low swings to maintain rhythm and avoid mistakes like Rahm’s.
The Drill: Controlled Turf Swing Practice
At the range, set up with a tee or a soft patch of grass. Practice making slow swings over the turf, focusing on keeping the clubface pointing slightly skyward at the takeaway. Use a mirror or video to confirm your trail elbow stays below your lead elbow at the top. Repeat 10 swings, focusing on smooth acceleration and no heavy divots. This drill helps you build a habit of controlled swings when emotions rise.
Rahm’s Round Beyond the Incident
Despite the divot mishap, Rahm finished the round with a one-under 69. He turned frustration into focus on other holes, notably holing out from 98 yards for an eagle 2 on the par-4 2nd. His honest reflection on course conditions also gave insight into Aronimink’s challenges, pointing out that the fairways’ slopes and thick rough make scoring tougher than it looks.
What this means for serious amateurs: controlling your emotional swings isn’t just about etiquette—it directly affects your safety and scoring. The best players keep their cool and use deliberate, controlled practice swings to reset.
As reported by Golf.com, Rahm's candid apology and explanation underscore how even the top pros wrestle with frustration, and how those moments can have real consequences.
What to Watch Next
Keep an eye on how Rahm manages his emotions and shot selection during the next rounds. His ability to maintain composure under pressure at Aronimink will be crucial, especially given the course’s subtle difficulties that challenge even the game’s best. For a broader view, explore our coverage of PGA Tour news and results.
Source: as reported by Golf.com
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