Key Highlights
- Fleetwood ranks 2nd in scrambling for the season at 70.7%.
- He hit an astounding 92.9% of fairways (ranked 2nd) while averaging 293 yards off the tee during Round 1.
- Fleetwood averaged 1.7 putts per green in regulation in both Rounds 1 and 2, better than his season average.
- The two-time former champion is sitting atop the leaderboard at 14-under par at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Golfing Beyond Power: Tommy Fleetwood’s Key to Success
Tommy Fleetwood, a name synonymous with precision and consistency on the PGA Tour, continues to provide invaluable insights for golfers looking to improve their game. In his recent performance at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Fleetwood not only demonstrated his prowess but also shared three crucial tips that can transform any golfer’s approach.
Scrambling: The Art of Recovery
“The Tip”: Prioritize your short game practice over everything else when time is limited. Why It Matters: With a scrambling rate of 70.7% for the season, Fleetwood proves that mastering your short game can significantly impact your score. In Round 1, he scrambled at a perfect 100%, saving par from missed greens.
How It Helps Your Game: Missing 8-12 greens in an average round can be daunting.
However, if you can get up and down half the time instead of one-quarter, you’ll save 2-3 strokes immediately. This simple shift in mindset and practice can make a world of difference.
How to Practice: Spend 20 minutes before each round on scrambling situations. Drop three balls in different lies around the practice green—light rough, deeper grass, and tight lie.
Your goal is not to hole every chip but to get every ball within a three-foot circle. Track your success rate weekly for improvement.
Accuracy Over Distance: Play the Percentages
“The Tip”: When the pressure’s on, favor accuracy over distance off the tee. Why It Matters: At the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Fleetwood hit 92.9% of fairways (ranked 2nd) while averaging just 293 yards in Round 1. This approach aligns with the unique layout and challenges at Yas Links.
How It Helps Your Game: Fairway bunkers, penalty areas, and thick rough don’t care about your handicap.
A 15-handicapper hitting eight fairways instead of five will have significantly easier approach shots and more greens in regulation. Fewer big numbers mean better scores.
How to Practice: On the range, alternate between driver and 3-wood or hybrid. Pick a specific target rather than swinging for maximum distance.
If your driver misses the target line by more than 20 yards, ask yourself whether the extra distance is worth the risk on certain holes. Many tour pros, including Fleetwood, make strategic club selections based on hole layout.
Putting Consistency: The Scoring Zone
“The Tip”: Focus on lag putting and eliminating three-putts rather than holing everything. Why It Matters: Fleetwood’s performance in both Rounds 1 and 2 averaged just 1.7 putts per green, better than his season average of 1.8. This shows that consistent two-putting is the hallmark of professional golf.
How It Helps Your Game: Three-putts kill scores.
Period. If you typically three-putt four times per round and can reduce it to once or twice, you’ve saved 2-3 strokes without holing a single additional putt. This practice builds distance control and an aggressive mindset that avoids unnecessary risk.
How to Practice: Spend 10 minutes on long putts (30+ feet) before each round.
Place four balls around the green at different distances and slopes. Your goal is to get each ball within a three-foot circle of the hole. This exercise eliminates the aggressive mindset that can lead to three-putts.
The Fleetwood Formula
Tommy Fleetwood’s performance in Abu Dhabi isn’t about overpowering the course or holing miracle putts; it’s about consistent execution across every facet of the game, with a particular emphasis on scrambling and accuracy. As he explained after Round 2: “I just did a really good job. I hit a lot of good shots but a few times today I drove it into the rough, and we read the lies really well.” This approach is key when things aren’t perfect; having the skills to recover keeps rounds together.
By focusing on these fundamentals—scrambling, accuracy off the tee, and putting consistency—you can find yourself posting your best scores of the season. The PGA Tour’s leading professionals are not just about power or precision but about the complete package, and Fleetwood’s tips provide a blueprint for improvement at any level.
