His methods have drawn golf fans’ attention for years, and in this article we get a rare glimpse into Bryson DeChambeau’s warm-up routine
Bryson DeChambeau is known for thinking outside the box and interpreting in a unique way the best practices we regularly see in professional golf. In this interview, Garrett Johnston asks the man himself about his exercise routines.
From driving to putting, Bryson DeChambeau speaks through the meticulous preparation that helps him do his best. We shouldn’t be surprised that his pre-round preparation is different from that of most tour pros.
What is the main focus of your pre-round warm-up?
It definitely depends on the week. Last week [Northern Trust] I haven’t putted that great and this week was just trying to work on how to improve that, how to make a few changes. Obviously we’re using some gadgets out here to find out.
Bryson practices his putting under the watchful eye of Phil Mickelson
If I don’t do it well, I’ll work harder on it. It really depends on the week and I switch every week based on what my strokes have done in all categories.
So this week [BMW Championship] It’s going to be a little more about the greens and putting that I have to work on to win a tournament. I hit it well enough and I rode it well enough to win last week. (He finished 12 shots behind Tony Finau at the Northern Trust.)
How long will your warm up take?
Well, it depends, if I’m feeling super comfortable and secure, it could be short and sweet. If I’m not comfortable, it may take a couple of hours to figure it out – it’s a work day. That’s why I focus on these days as well as on the tournament days.
Regarding putting, how would you like to feel on your way to the course?
For me, I want to feel like the stroke is smooth, even, and controlled. I want to have a high speed on the greens, of course I will work on my pace every day and control it.
Then I want to start it on my line too. If I can start at great speed on my line and I’m comfortable with the stroke, I’m usually in the top 30 putters in the world.
What is your most common pre-round training aid?
I would definitely say measure the starting angle and what not. We don’t use this preliminary round, this is obviously for training days, but the most important numbers are the ball speed numbers of a device that tell me how fast the putt goes or how fast I hit the putt which we then measure how far it goes.
Related: Best Golf Training Aids
Let’s say it’s 40 feet, our number is 10.1 miles an hour that we want to go. We can then see if it is short or long of that number and then we adjust our percentages based on whether it is slower or faster that day.
So knowing the speed of the greens is very important and we will use my speed as a yardstick.
What is the device of choice on the track itself?
FlightScope [Launch Monitor] is definitely helpful for measuring swing speed, ball speed and how far the golf ball is going.
Whether at the shooting range or during a practice round, Bryson often uses a launch monitor
Whether on the shooting range or during a practice round, Bryson can often be seen with his start monitor
Every golf course and environment is different, so we definitely check how far golf balls go in that environment compared to the previous week’s environment. And knowing those numbers is very, very helpful.
How would you like to feel mentally when you finish warming up?
The mental game is all based on whether I am safe with the golf swing, when I am safe with my putting, when I am safe with my chipping, based on everything we do, then my mental game is in a great state, We do not have a problem. I’ve always said that mental play changes the way you play up or down about ten percent.
Your skills are your skills. So if you are an 80s shooter you can shoot 75 that day or 72 if you play incredible golf and you are in perfect shape with everything ready for you. Or you could go the other way and shoot 85.
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So I would say the mental game is a ten percent buffer, and that depends on a lot of other people, but for me it was always about ten percent.
If I can keep it in check and have rated my game positively and I’m comfortable with my stroke, ball stroke and everything, I could easily turn a round of 72 into a 65.
What usually makes you familiar with your chipping and bunker game?
The grass and the bunker types. I’m really good at ryegrass and bunkers that are a little firmer. When bunkers are like that, I’m usually pretty good around the greens. If not, I’ll have to work a little harder to be comfortable on the greens and that’s just practice and technique and a lot more.
How does Augusta National’s impressive training facility fit your game?
I think it’s a really cool way to prepare for the golf course. I still have my process that I’m going through. It’s very nice, it has everything we need.
At most tour events we have everything we need but I say Augusta is in top shape as always at prime time and it’s fun to have a golf course and a couple of holes that are similar to the golf course.
Are we looking to Bryson? Happy Masters week … pic.twitter.com/1VSXJqKkQp
– Brian Wacker (@ brianwacker1) November 9, 2020
It makes you pretty comfortable trying to work on a punch shape in a hole or something, you can do it out there which is pretty special.
If you’re trying to hit one shot and feel comfortable on the court in one shot, it is [Augusta’s range] can definitely add to your confidence on the golf course.
TIED TOGETHER: Beyond the Clubhouse Ep 78: Bryson DeChambeau exclusively at BMW Championship
To listen to the full Beyond the Clubhouse podcast episode with Bryson DeChambeau and host Garrett Johnston during the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship, click the link above!