Justin Thomas has opened up about one thing he finds really frustrating to watch in the amateur game.
Over the years, Thomas has offered plenty of advice aimed at helping everyday golfers improve their play.
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With his father being a highly respected PGA professional, Thomas has always had a keen eye for offering helpful advice to amateurs.
Thomas is currently sidelined while recovering from back surgery he had late last year. He’ll be hoping 2026 brings better results after a tough stretch over the past couple of seasons.
The 31-year-old remains an excellent example for amateur golfers looking to pick up pointers, despite having just one win since May 2022.
Justin Thomas identifies one mistake that can cost amateurs up to 10 shots a round
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Justin Thomas is around amateur golfers almost every week on the PGA Tour during Pro-Am events, so he sees their mistakes firsthand.
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And there’s one thing he notices over and over again — something just about every amateur does.
During a Titleist instructional video in April 2025, Thomas pointed out the most common mistake he sees and explained why it frustrates him so much.
The issue, according to Thomas, is that amateurs never hit enough club. He says it’s a constant problem during Pro-Ams.
“That’s number one. I see it every week in pro-ams,“ the 32-year-old admitted.
“For some reason, amateurs never want to hit enough club. They’re holding onto the 9-iron they hit 150 back in 2003 and that’s how far they hit it. Just because you once hit your pitching wedge 150 yards doesn’t mean you still do.”
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The upside is that fixing this common mistake is straightforward – all it takes is a simple change in mindset on the course.
The difference between belief and reality in iron distances for amateurs
The global average male handicap falls somewhere between 14 and 17. It’s right around this range where overestimating distance becomes an issue.
Keep in mind, these are averages. Not best shots or rare occurrences – just standard numbers over time.
If you’re looking to tighten up your distances, find a range with TrackMan or similar tech. Hit at least 20 balls per club and write down the average carry distance you get for each one. That’s your real number – not your single longest hit from a year ago.
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This kind of self-awareness can shave serious strokes off your card without changing anything about your swing mechanics.
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