How Do Prominent Trainers Transform Underwhelming Players into Heroes? When it comes to professional sports, a great coach can make the difference between failure and victory. For golfers, whose game is as much mental as technical, a career can be transformed by the correct coach. Michael Kim, a golfer who has experienced both extreme highs and lows, is one of the few who truly understands this. 

Kim, formerly the world’s top-ranked amateur, had trouble with his game and even missed a phenomenal 44 straight cuts. However, Kim is attempting to rebound on the PGA Tour under the tutelage of renowned coach Sean Foley, who has guided golfing greats like Tiger Woods and Lydia Ko. As evidence of why he is one of the most admired golf trainers, Foley recently shared the tips he gave Kim to help him regain his form. So, let’s find out what this counsel is, as it may also assist you in grasping golf in better detail if you are seeking to get your game straight!

Sean Foley’s brilliant advice: Revealing Michael Kim’s lost game

In a recent interview with Dan Rapaport on Dan on Golf, Sean Foley shared his unique perspectives on how he assisted Michael Kim in rediscovering his game while reflecting on the experiences of both his current and former students. Foley clarified that Kim’s difficulties were not only technical but also profoundly psychological, as a relentless cycle of insecurity had been produced by years of mediocre performance. Foley remarked, “Michael is a class act, a great human being, and I knew that whatever made him the No. 1 ranked amateur in the world was still inside him.” However, regaining that shape necessitated a novel strategy.

With drives straying right and out of bounds, Kim had created an unmanageable slice that he even referred to as “driver yips.” Foley wasn’t buying the mental block excuse. So, for three months, he had him hammer snap hooks until muscle memory took over. “I just had him sit on the range and literally hit massive hooks—snap hook after snap hook after snap hook,” Foley stated. The intention was to replace the faulty pattern with a more regulated, reproducible action.

Beyond the technical work, Foley assisted Kim in changing his perspective. “This is not pressure. Pressure is being on the verge of losing your card last year and being amazing in the fall season,” explained Kim, emphasizing that stress in golf is situational.

For Foley, coaching isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about mentality. He helped Kim ditch the fear and embrace the opportunity, diving deep into the psychology of great performances. Catch his insights on the No Laying Up podcast! Hear him break it down some more at the No Laying Up podcast.

He pointed out that skill precedes confidence, with belief following naturally after a player has faith in their swing. As a result of this change, Kim has returned to the PGA Tour with a stronger sense of purpose and a more consistent game. He was put to the ultimate test at the Cognizant Classic, which left everyone gasping. Let’s dig into this!

An exciting moment: The Cognizant Classic’s 15th Hole

At the Cognizant Classic, Michael Kim had an unusual experience on the 15th hole that left both him and the spectators in wonder. As he lined up his shot, an unexpected delay heightened the tension. After Saturday’s third round (March 1), the American trailed the leader by just one at 15-under. With back-to-back bogey-free rounds, his game was nothing but awesome. But on the par-5 15th hole in the third round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic, Michael Kim made the week’s first bogey. He moved up one spot on the standings after playing the third round of 67. He took second place, and Knapp went on to extend his lead.

Kim “thought it was a decent swing, but the wind pushed it over way more than I thought. When it hit the rocks, I was kind of waiting for a splash. Went long, and the volunteers made this weird signal that I had no idea what they were saying.” One rogue bounce can shake the steadiest swing. Golf tests your mind as much as your swing. Michael Kim’s journey with Sean Foley shows how mental strength and the right coaching shape champions.