Human brains are some of the most unpredictable things—full of fluctuations that can’t always be trusted. Golf, for example, is a game of patience and precision, but there’s more to it than just hitting the right shots. It’s a bit like when someone tells you not to do something, and suddenly, you’re all in, determined to prove them wrong. It’s like a little challenge button gets pressed in our brains. Certainly, you must have been there at some point! Well, believe it or not, this same psychology applies to Tiger Woods. Yeah, even a global icon like him isn’t immune to it. It may be hard to imagine, but in this case, human psychology puts everyone on the same playing field. So take a moment to feel good about yourself—you and Woods have something in common.

Now, what’s especially interesting in Woods’ case is his former coach, Sean Foley. Woods, being a 15-time Major champ, has worked with a few big names in golf coaching like Butch Harmon, Hank Haney, Chris Como, and of course, Sean Foley. Foley worked with Tiger between 2010 and 2014, and during that time, he had the chance to closely analyze Woods’ behavioral patterns. And guess what? That pattern wasn’t just exclusive to Woods—it’s something you’ll find in a lot of people.

On a recent appearance on the Par 3 Podcast, Foley shared some fascinating insights into the psychology of elite athletes like Tiger Woods and Tom Brady. His strategy for helping these athletes perform at their peak is a bit surprising. Here’s the kicker: despite their extraordinary talent and global recognition, these athletes can still be driven by doubt and criticism. Foley explained, “If you want to get something out of Tiger or Tom Brady, you just tell them they can’t do it. And even though they’ve proven to us a billion times they can, they just use that as energy, and that guides them and focuses them.” Isn’t this something most of us are already familiar with, where perceived challenges become motivation?

We’ve definitely seen this play out with Woods—times when it looked like he’d lost it all, only to rise back up as a hero. Take the 2019 Masters, for example, after years of injuries and struggles, Woods made one of the most memorable comebacks in sports. Going into the final day, he was two shots behind Francesco Molinari, but Woods stormed back in the last few holes, finishing with a 70 and winning by a single shot. This was his first Major victory in 11 years, and it was all the more impressive considering he had been ranked 1,199th in the world just a couple of years earlier after battling multiple back surgeries that almost ended his career. That internal drive, fueled by overcoming doubt and challenges, played a massive role in his comeback. But, as impressive as it was for Woods, it’s not always the same for everyone.

Sean Foley explains the flip side of psychological tricks

Here is a thing, what works for someone doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. It’s like, not a one-size-fits-all deal. During the same interview, Foley went on to explain that athletes, much like social groups in the animal kingdom, have different roles and motivations. “There are apexes, alphas, betas and omegas. So if you’re a beta acting like an alpha, you have no power. And if you’re an alpha acting like an omega, you have no power,” he said. And that’s when apprenticeship comes into play. Foley explains that it’s not about forcing one common approach on everyone, rather it’s about understanding that different players require different approaches based on who they are.

For instance, some athletes are motivated by external validation. They want that big Hall of Fame recognition or the praise of being the best. Others might have more personal goals, like starting a foundation to help people in need. Take Woods for example—his drive has always been partly about proving people wrong and pushing through doubt. But for another athlete, it might be about something entirely different. The point is that both motivations work, but it’s about figuring out what sparks that fire in each person and using it to get the best out of them.