Part 6/8:
Illustrating this strategy in practice, Justin Thomas employed the concept during the 2021 Players Championship. By aiming to the right of the fairway, his drive slightly misfired but ultimately positioned him well for a successful shot. Similarly, at the 2022 Players Championship, Cameron Smith’s approach involved aiming away from the pin, leading to a fortunate outcome despite an intentional miss.
The dominant players on tour harness this mindset, thinking not about their best shots but rather how to mitigate misses. This often necessitates aiming away from pins and embracing a more conservative approach—focusing on leaving misses in favorable positions rather than aiming directly for perfection.