When A Lim Kim tapped in her final putt to win the LPGA season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, it marked the culmination of a wire-to-wire victory forged through unshakable mental toughness and meticulous preparation. While Kim’s talent is undeniable, her champion’s mindset and practice habits provide a blueprint for any golfer striving to take their game to the next level.
The Psychology of a Champion
Kim’s most powerful weapon is not her swing, but her mind. When asked about her ability to maintain composure and hold off a late charge from world No. 1 Nelly Korda, Kim’s response was revealing:
I watched her scoreboard — ooh, make birdie, wow — and then focus again on my game. I feel really good, and then still I have more chance because one more hole.
– A Lim Kim
This ability to acknowledge a competitor’s great play without letting it rattle her is a hallmark of champions across all sports. By staying present and trusting her process, Kim exuded a quiet confidence that Korda and the field ultimately could not overcome.
Techniques to cultivate an unflappable mindset on the course:
- Develop a pre-shot routine to clear your mind and focus solely on the task at hand
- Practice acceptance. You can’t control everything, but you can control your response
- Visualize success and engage your senses. Feel, see, and believe your best shots before you hit them
A Practice Regimen Fit for a Champion
While Kim’s final putt at the 18th looked effortless, that grace under pressure was built through hours of diligent practice. Beyond rote repetition, Kim’s practice sessions are designed to simulate the most challenging situations she’ll face on the course.
To ingrain clutch shot-making into muscle memory, Kim regularly practices a drill called “One Ball, One Chance”:
- Place a single ball in different challenging lies – deep rough, fairway bunkers, greenside pitches
- Visualize a high-pressure scenario – like needing to get up and down to win a major
- Get creative! Invent new challenges to keep yourself engaged and push beyond your comfort zone
By approaching practice with this degree of intention and focus, Kim has built trust in her swing and short game that holds up under the most intense pressure. It’s a far cry from mindlessly beating balls on the range.
A Winning Formula
The next time you marvel at an A Lim Kim highlight, know that her performance is far more than raw talent and countless hours of practice. It’s the product of a champion’s mindset and the discipline to prepare for every conceivable challenge.
Adopting even a fraction of Kim’s mental approach and training habits can yield dramatic improvements in your own game. Embrace the challenge of pursuing golfing excellence, and remember, every clutch putt we witness on Sunday is the culmination of a champion’s unrelenting dedication behind the scenes.
