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The Psychology Behind Clutch Putting: Why Some Golfers Thrive Under Pressure

Updated: Jun 18


Golf putter and ball on a green course ready to strike, with a flag in the distance under a cloudy sky.
You're standing over a 64-foot putt. It's the final hole of the U.S. Open. Win, and you claim your first major championship.

This was exactly the situation J.J. Spaun found himself in at Oakmont Country Club just days ago. In 235 PGA Tour starts, he'd won just once before. Yet when it mattered most, when the pressure was at its absolute peak, he rolled in what many are calling one of the greatest putts in major championship history.


How does someone do that?


As a chartered sport psychologist who works with golfers, I've seen firsthand how mental coaching can help players find that special gear when everything's on the line.

There's actually a lot we can learn from moments like Spaun's about what separates clutch performers from those who crumble.



What Makes a Clutch Performer?

You might think performing under pressure means staying calm and relaxed. That's not necessarily true. Clutch performance isn't always about feeling no pressure, it's about using that pressure as fuel rather than letting it overwhelm you.


Researchers have found that clutch performers tend to view high-pressure situations differently (Otten, 2009; Swann et al., 2017). Instead of seeing a crucial putt as something that could go horribly wrong, they see it as a chance to show what they're capable of whilst maintaining control. It's a subtle shift, but it can make a big difference.


When I work with golfers on their mental game, we often talk about this reframing. The pressure doesn't always disappear, which is ok, it’s actually more about how we interpret and process that pressure which can completely change how your body and mind respond.

What Might Have Been Going Through Spaun's Mind?

Of course we can never truly know what was going through Spaun’s mind before his monumental putt, but we can make a guess based on his interviews and approach to the game. After struggling early in his round with five bogeys in six holes "The weather delay changed the whole vibe of the day,", which might have proven pivotal. Sometimes these unexpected breaks can actually be psychological gold mines, giving players a chance to reset and refocus.


When Spaun finally stood over that 64-foot putt, several things likely worked in his favour. He had a clear process. He watched his playing partner Viktor Hovland putt from a similar line first, gathering valuable information about the break and speed.


He also likely stayed in the present. Rather than thinking about winning his first major or what might happen if he missed, he probably focused on executing his routine as he would any other day. He likely felt in control. Despite the chaos of the weather and the magnitude of the moment, Spaun appeared composed and confident, a key trait that research consistently links to clutch performance.


Why Your Brain Sometimes Works Against You

We've all been there. Standing over what should be a simple putt, only to feel our hands shake and our mind race. Golf anxiety is incredibly common, and it often (frustratingly) strikes hardest when we care most about the outcome.


Here's what's happening: your brain is designed to keep you safe, and it can't always tell the difference between a charging tiger and a 4-foot putt for par.

When you start thinking about all the ways things could go wrong, your nervous system can kick into survival mode. Your heart rate spikes, your muscles tense up, and suddenly that smooth putting stroke feels impossible and jerky.


This is where golf psychology becomes really valuable. Many golfers I work with are surprised to learn that their putting struggles aren't always actually about physical technique, but more about managing their mental state so they can allow their physical skills to shine through.


What We Can Learn from Mental Coaching

When working with golfers on their pressure putting, there are several strategies that tend to make a real difference.


Changing Your Inner Dialogue

Instead of "don't miss left," successful putters think "roll it right into the heart." It sounds simple, but your brain responds very differently to positive, specific instructions versus negative ones. After all, the more we think about the things we don’t want to do, the more we see them happening in our mind.

Finding Your Optimal Zone

Everyone has a sweet spot when it comes to arousal levels. Some golfers putt best when they're completely relaxed, others need a bit more energy. Through mental coaching, you can learn to recognize and manage your optimal state.


Building a Bulletproof Routine

Great putters have routines they can rely on no matter what's happening around them. It's not just superstition, it’s about giving your mind a familiar process to follow when everything else feels chaotic.


Practicing Under Pressure

Many golfers practice putting when they're relaxed and unstressed, then wonder why they struggle in tournaments. Mental training involves gradually introducing pressure into practice sessions, so your mind gets used to performing when it counts.


The Power of Perspective

Here's something I always find interesting: the actual physical task never changes. Whether you're putting in a casual round or for a major championship, you're still trying to roll a ball into a hole. The only thing that changes is everything else. The stakes, the audience, the noise in your head.


Recognising this can be incredibly powerful. After all Spaun's 64-foot putt was fundamentally the same motion he'd made thousands of times in practice. The difference was his ability to stay focused on the process rather than getting overwhelmed by the moment.

Making Pressure Your Friend

The goal isn't always to eliminate pressure but to learn how to use that pressure to your advantage. Some of the highest performers I've worked with actually say they perform better when the stakes are high because it forces them to focus completely on what they're doing.


This mindset shift, from seeing pressure as an enemy to viewing it as a performance enhancer, is often a major breakthrough in mental coaching.


Your Next Clutch Moment

These clutch moments are within reach for anyone willing to work on their golf mindset. It's not about having nerves of steel or being naturally fearless. It's about learning practical strategies to manage your mind under pressure.


The next time you're standing over a crucial putt, remember that your brain is capable of extraordinary things when it's properly prepared. Frame the pressure as opportunity. Stay focused on your process. Trust your preparation. You've made putts like this before, even if the stakes weren't quite as high.


If you're interested in developing your golf mental game and working on performing under pressure, golf psychology and mental coaching can provide practical tools and strategies to help you excel. If you'd like to work together, visit my page here for more information.


About the author:

Callum Abbott, CPsychol
Callum Abbott, CPsychol

Callum Abbott is a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with a passion for helping golfers master the mental side of their game. Working from Suffolk and across East Anglia, he's seen firsthand how the right mindset can transform performance under pressure. Whether it's a weekend golfer trying to break 80 or a professional competing for major championships, Callum believes that developing your mental game is just as important as perfecting your swing.


References

Otten, M. (2009). Choking vs. clutch performance: A study of sport performance under pressure. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 31(5), 583-601.


Swann, C., Crust, L., Jackman, P., Vella, S. A., Allen, M. S., & Keegan, R. (2017). Performing under pressure: Exploring the psychological state underlying clutch performance in sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(23), 2272-2280.

 
 
 

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Email: abbottsportpsy@gmail.com

Tel: +44 (0)7940997413

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