Justin Rose’s 4 keys to playing your best golf under pressure

Golf instructions are always evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. In GOLF.com’s new series, Timeless Tips, we highlight the greatest pieces of advice from teachers and players in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today we’re looking back at our November 2016 issue for some tips from Justin Rose on playing under pressure.

Once again, Justin Rose shows that in golf, age is just a number. Fresh off a season that included a FedEx Cup Playoff victory and a runner-up finish at the Masters, the Englishman kicked off 2026 with a dominant victory at the Farmers Insurance Open. The win was Rose’s 13th on the PGA Tour and moved him to No. 3 on the OWGR.

Not bad for a 45 year old.

While many golfers at that age adjust their schedules and prepare for life on the Champions Tour, Rose refuses to slow down. In fact, some would argue that he is playing the best golf of his career. For someone with a resume as strong as his (US Open title, Gold Medal, former World No. 1), that’s saying something.

In honor of the resurgence of Rose’s career, we’re taking a look back at the November 2016 issue of GOLF Magazine. In it, Rose shares four keys to playing your best golf under pressure.

Rose’s 4 keys to playing under pressure

“Boyfriend has a bottle!”

In England, that’s how we define a brave person – a guy who plays hard under pressure. I’ve been fighting for the “bottle” ever since I first put together my spikes. Some players catch on naturally. I had to work on it. With 20 wins around the world, including the US Open and an Olympic gold medal, I think I’ve got it.

That’s right — you can learn to relax, have fun and hit great shots when the heat is on. And anyone can follow my four-step plan. So get ready — you’re about to start playing like an Olympic champion.

1. Create a process

My best catch time? A 4-iron off the 18th green on Sunday clinched the 2013 US Open. Phil Mickelson was breathing down my neck. And hey – the 4-iron is not what I would call my “go-to” club. | I would have choked that gun early in my career. I used to let things get to me – a big crowd, afraid to hit a bad shot. I am older and wiser, now I only pay attention to the process.

That name is bandied about a lot on the Tour – and for good reason. Focusing fully on your process, or pre-shoot practice, protects your confidence from fear and negative thoughts.

If you don’t have a pre-shot technique set – from framing the shot to choosing the right club and adjusting your stance – get one. Statistics. Your cycle is not a precursor to a picture. Think of it as part of the shot – the part you have complete control over. And run your process at the same speed every time.

Stress forces you to rush, and that’s not good. How do I know I’m in a tangible state of mind? If it takes me the same amount of time to plan an important drive late on Sunday – the world is watching – as it does to make a loud noise on Thursday with no one watching. Remember: Your path is a “shot” that you can’t hit every time.

2. Be a planner

I tend to shoot higher numbers in the afternoon than in the morning rounds. The reason? It’s a bad habit. Sometimes, I wake up early in the morning, and do nothing but stare at the clock all day, creating a hornet’s nest of nervous energy. During my tee time, I’m emotionally drained.

It can happen to you too. With gold! If you’ve got that fourth ball after lunch planned, make sure you do your normal business, whether it’s dropping the kids off at school, going to work or hitting the gym. The trick: Do routines while doing everything at a slower pace, and plan your routine so you have time for a solid warm-up. Rushing through a busy day only speeds up your mind and swings, it doesn’t help at all in times of high stress.

When you get to the course, avoid using pre-round practice as a way to prepare your slice or suddenly perfect that flop shot. You will also find “in your head.” Think simple thoughts, like, “Swing my driver as smoothly as I do my 7-iron.”

Emphasize the rhythm over the machine — a better tempo makes it easier to practice your technique. If that thought doesn’t do the trick, there’s no need to panic. Check your basics. Bad distance swings are often the result of poor alignment or a problem with your grip. Stick to your basics, and you’ll hit your shot.

3. Find a place to drive

I’ve picked up a good chunk of yards over the last few seasons. Not bad for a guy in his mid-thirties.

Top 100 Golf Instructor Sean Foley, my coach since 2009, has taught me how to use downforce to improve my weight shift and transfer more power to the ball. Ultimately, you will need to work on these things like I did. In the meantime, try this: Swing hard! Trust me, it makes a difference.

A quick swing helps the club move up at impact, which is important for launching high, deep and direct drives. My one caveat? Don’t speed until later in your trip, or you could risk falling out of the plane. Start small. On the last hole in Rio, I knew I had to put the ball in play, what with the sneaky Henrik Stenson. I did it by slowing my swing down to a snail’s pace for the first two feet, then let him rip! Free, fast swings keep you in your “target”.

You need trust to be clutch.

4. Lean on your cases

Several years back, I was ranked 171st in shot distance from 75 to 100 yards. Two seasons ago, I was first. I turned weakness into strength. Although my medal-winning putt on the 72nd hole in Rio was from just 40 yards, it was a direct result of the work I did in other areas of my short game.

Try this: Visualize your wedge swing like a clock face — your hands at address and impact is 6:00; hands pointing to target at 3:00; hands in back is 9:00. Practice stopping your backswing at 9, 10, 11 and 12 o’clock, always accelerating the club through impact. Notice how far you fly these four shots using all your wedges. If you carry four wedges like I do, you can now call 16 different yards on command! (To adjust your yardage, press the handle three to three inches – but nail your length back first.)

Don’t change your rhythm or your technique – let the length of your backswing and the loft of the club do the work for you. The beauty of this system? It allows you to produce the same swing in many different ways – low, high, high, low spin – depending on which club/swing combo you choose. It’s very simple. I don’t know why so many weekend players – or my Tour competitors – do it!

View Product