17/11/2025
Be a Black Belt at Turning Up: The Winter Mindset Every Golfer Needs
Last week, my son’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach said something that hit me harder than any punch or kick ever could:
“Be a black belt at turning up.”
No ego. No excuses. No fancy techniques.
Just the simple, powerful discipline of showing up — consistently.
That single message has been a game changer for my son, and it’s a mindset I believe every golfer needs to embrace this winter.
Because golf improvement isn’t built on talent alone.
It isn’t built on perfect conditions, perfect swings, or perfect days.
It’s built on habit.
On showing up.
On putting in the work whether you feel like it or not.
And it ties directly into the quote I’ve believed in my whole career:
“Hard work beats talent.”
Talent can hit a beautiful shot.
Hard work can hit it again and again and again — under pressure, in the wind, on a bad lie, on a bad day.
This winter will separate the committed from the casual.
Most golfers will pack the clubs away, wait for warmer weather, and hope for improvement when spring arrives.
You and I both know that isn’t how progress works.
If you want to start next season sharper, more confident, and more consistent than ever, the mission is simple:
Be a black belt at turning up.
Turn up for:
• Your practice sessions
• Your drills
• Your fitness
• Your coaching
• Your mindset
• Your consistency
Even if conditions aren’t ideal.
Even if it’s cold.
Even if it’s just 20 minutes in the garage or on a mat at home.
Winter is where the biggest gains are made.
Not because you hit more balls than anyone else, but because you stayed committed when the easy option was to do nothing.
So this winter, choose the identity of a hard worker.
Choose the mindset of someone who shows up.
Choose to get even 1% better every week.
Be a black belt at turning up — and come spring, you’ll be miles ahead of the golfer you were when the clocks went back.
