Peak Performance

How the world’s best aim to arrive at Augusta in top form.

- Michael Weston

It’s not just about winning, not anymore. It’s about when. Listen to many of the world’s best golfers talk about their season’s goals and it’s not the ‘Ws’, per se, but the ‘P’ word which is never far away from the lips. Peaking, that is. The top players are all aiming to turn it on when it matters most – at the Majors. These professionals judge the merit of their seasons almost solely on how they perform in them.

However, many of the game’s finest talents have tried and failed to land one of golf’s most coveted trophies, despite meticulous planning. So, what’s the winning formula? How do players set out to give themselves the best possible chance to hit top form for four days in April, June, July and August?

Scheduling

There’s no doubt that a player’s schedule plays a significant part, especially in the case of The Masters. It’s a frantic period of the season.

On the European Tour, the focus is on the ‘Middle East Swing’ in January and February. In America, meanwhile, the build-up begins in California, before Florida and Texas provide the final opportunities for players still searching to find their A-game.

Oh yes, and there’s the small matter of two of the season’s WGCs in March, one of which is in Mexico. It’s a balancing act between building a competitive schedule and overdoing it – both physically and mentally.