10 Insights from Robert MacIntyre: Quick Lessons for Golfers

Earlier this year, the world’s top‑ranked Scottish golfer, a left‑handed standout who also plays shinty, invited me to the practice tee to demonstrate his warm‑up routine. In doing so, he shared several insights into his perspective on the game.

In the newest episode of Warming Up, I gained several valuable takeaways from Robert MacIntyre.

You can view the video below, read the transcript, or—ideally—both.

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1. The gym isn’t his enemy anymore

“When I first started, I resisted all forms of training,” MacIntyre explains at the start of the session. “I thought, ‘I’m young enough; I don’t need this.’ However, I incurred a few injuries—particularly a lower‑back issue common among golfers—that I attribute to two factors: insufficient strength to cope with my swing speed and travel, and a tendency to launch drivers straight onto the range without proper warm‑up, especially when using my home simulator. That’s when injuries occurred.”

My team observed that my morning‑round scores were improving, likely because my body was sluggish at the start of the day. We addressed this by adopting a more disciplined pre‑round routine.

“Warming up has become essential,” he admits, albeit reluctantly.

I think that makes a solid tagline for the show.

2. He has a “wedge chart”

He begins with his 60‑degree wedge and modifies his warm‑up pattern for each wedge, aiming to fine‑tune specific distances.

“I maintain a chart that records the distances I achieve with each wedge. For example, a ‘9‑o’clock’ feel typically carries about 99 yards, plus or minus a few.”

“A ‘9‑o’clock’ feel refers to moving my lead arm back until it aligns parallel to the ground—essentially reaching the nine‑o’clock position on a clock—and then executing the swing at full speed.”

3. He likes using the simulator to “reset”

Based in Scotland—more on that later—he does not spend all his time practicing on windy links courses. Instead, he favors the controlled environment of a simulator when at home.

He notes that after a week of playing in the wind, his technique can drift. The simulator allows him to reset under wind‑free, level conditions, enabling focused work on form.

4. Still, flighting his wedges low is second nature

“You can take the Scottish golfer out of the wind, but you can’t take the wind out of him,” he remarks.

“Having grown up playing in windy conditions, keeping wedges low feels natural. He opens his stance slightly, allowing his body to align organically, positions the ball further back, and then drives through the shot.”

“He doesn’t find this challenging.”

“Interestingly, MacIntyre links these habits to the need for a reset; extended wind play encourages a forward lean and a rearward ball position, which can affect performance.”

5. He needs a different routine than Tiger Woods

When Tiger Woods turned professional, he relocated to Isleworth in Orlando, a move that defined his career. MacIntyre’s experience differed.

In his debut PGA Tour season, he practiced extensively at Isleworth, but over‑practice began to hinder his performance. The fatigue stemmed partly from a lack of motivation during the offseason, especially after a Ryder Cup and the Race to Dubai concluded, leaving him eager to unwind.

Over recent years, he has focused on identifying what energizes him, what depletes him, and what ultimately enhances his game.

At home, he prefers spending time with family and friends, playing golf only when his caddie, Mike, messages him about a simulator session.

Regarding Woods’ regimen, he remarks, ‘I’m not built like Tiger.’ He notes that everyone approaches practice differently; for instance, Alex Noren’s routine would leave his hands sore after a day. The most significant shift in the past two years has been mental—he feels happiest off the course, which positively influences his on‑course performance. It’s a simple philosophy.”

6. His shot shape? Depends on the club

MacIntyre’s preferred shot shape varies across his clubs.

“With shorter clubs, he leans toward a draw bias, whereas longer irons tend to produce a fade.”

“For his driver, he adopts a more neutral ball flight, avoiding intentional shaping to maintain versatility.”

7. On the range he’s “finding zero”

During pre‑round sessions on the range, he focuses on achieving a neutral, straight ball flight.

“‘For me, it’s about finding zero—neutral on the range—so that when I compete I can play freely without overthinking,’ he explains. ‘During warm‑up, I aim to strike every shot straight, which gives me a reference point; if I want to draw, I adjust the ball position back in my stance, and if I want to fade, I move it forward.’ He strives to keep the process uncomplicated.”

8. When he’s curving the ball, he’s thinking about one thing…

“His sole focus is the intended landing spot.”

“He isn’t overly concerned with technical minutiae; he knows that to produce a fade, the club must follow an outside‑to‑in, left‑to‑right path. His caddie, Mike, specifies the desired finish line rather than the starting point. He simply aims to apply the appropriate shape and distance.”

9. He looks at three numbers on a launch monitor

“He monitors three key metrics on a launch monitor.”

“‘Path’ indicates the direction the clubhead travels relative to the target line.”

“‘Face angle’ denotes the orientation of the clubface at impact, also referenced to the target line.”

“‘Face‑to‑path’ captures the relationship between those two values, indicating curvature, sidespin, and ball trajectory.”

“When asked whether he leans more toward artistry or analytics, he replies, ‘I consider myself an artist, yet I embrace the scientific aspect. I ensure everything aligns, from club specifications to performance parameters, because modern golf involves far more than simply striking a ball.’”

10. “Life goes on”

It was reported that MacIntyre continues to participate in other sports, notably shinty—a fast‑moving field‑hockey‑like game with minimal rules.

“Given that his professional success depends on physical health, why does he still engage in other athletic activities?”

“‘Life goes on,’ he says with a grin. ‘This is my job. Playing other sports is merely a hobby.’

“He recalls an interview at the Dunhill where a reporter asked why he still played shinty, calling it ‘crazy.’

“MacIntyre responded not with an answer but with a question: ‘What do you do in your spare time? As a reporter, what do you do on weekends when you’re not working?’ The reporter replied, ‘I play golf.’ MacIntyre replied, ‘Exactly. My job is golf, so during a two‑week break, what else am I supposed to do? I need something to fill the time.’

“At that stage, he wasn’t focused on the gym or structured training, so he turned to shinty, squash, tennis, indoor football, and other pursuits simply to stay active. ‘I live my life. I don’t obsess over consequences; I’ll address them only when they arise.’

“That philosophy embodies his mantra: Live my life. Don’t worry about the consequences. Worry about them only when you must.”

“It’s a pragmatic approach.”

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