In the modern era of professional golf, where curated PR and polished press releases are the norm, Michael Kim has emerged as something of an anomaly. He is, quite simply, the most interesting golfer on Twitter. While his peers are posting sponsored content, Kim is in the trenches, tweeting from the middle of the pack at a Major to explain exactly why the course is winning and he isn't.
"I think Kim uses Twitter better than any other athlete, or at least as good as any other. Middle of the premiere golf event of the year, and one of the guys in the middle of the pack is taking a second to be like 'Hey viewers, I am struggling a bit and this is so so hard, here's why' is very cool to me."
— Justin Bourne
But Kim isn't just sharing the struggle; he's sharing the secrets. Recently, he dropped a masterclass thread of 31 tips that every amateur golfer needs to internalize. We've decoded and categorized them for the Vault.
I. The Mental Blueprint
01
Chaos vs Peace: Accept that golf is inherently chaotic. The sooner you find peace in the bad bounces and missed putts, the better you play.
02
Presence: You cannot change the last hole. You cannot control the next one. You only have the current shot. Be there.
03
Visualization Reality: Don't just see the perfect shot; see the target. If you can't see it, you can't hit it.
04
Ego Management: Laying up is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of intelligence.
05
Breath: Under pressure, your breath is your anchor. Use it to slow the world down.
II. Off the Tee: The Power Game
06
Speed Over Smooth: If you want to hit it further, you have to practice swinging fast. "Smooth" is for the course; "Fast" is for the range.
07
Driver Utility: Use the big dog whenever possible. Strokes gained off the tee is the fastest way to lower scores.
08
Tee Height: High for carry, low for control. Adjust based on the wind, not your swing.
09
The Fade Bias: For most amateurs, a controlled fade is safer than a wild draw. Own your miss.
10
Commitment: Pick a small target (a specific tree or chimney) and commit 100% to it.
III. The Full Swing
11
Turn vs Lift: Most power comes from the rotation of the torso, not the lifting of the arms.
12
Ground Force: Use the ground to push off. Think of your legs as springs.
13
Extension Myths: Don't try to "extend" early. True extension happens *after* impact.
14
The Release: Let the clubhead do the work. Don't hold onto the face too tight.
15
Tempo: 3:1 ratio. The backswing should be three times longer than the downswing.
IV. The Short Game & Putting
16
Bump and Run: Get the ball on the ground as soon as possible. Air is dangerous; grass is safe.
17
Loft Management: Don't automatically reach for the 60-degree. Use the lowest lofted club that gets the job done.
18
Putting Start Lines: If you can't start a 3-foot putt on line, you can't make a 20-foot putt. Practice your gates.
19
Quiet Body: In putting, only the arms and shoulders move. The head and legs must be statues.
20
Reading Break: Use your feet. Your eyes lie; your balance doesn't.
V. Strategic Misc
21
Approach Strategy: Aim for the middle of the green. Always. Even with a wedge.
22
Practice Toughness: Don't just hit balls. Play "worst ball" scrambles or give yourself difficult lies on the range.
23
Pace of Play: Play fast. Thinking less usually leads to better outcomes.
24
Club Fitting: You can't play your best with equipment that isn't built for your swing. Get fit.
25
Enjoyment: It's a game. If you aren't having fun, you aren't doing it right.
26-31
The Final Push: Kim's closing advice centers on the grind. Don't seek perfection; seek consistency. The best players aren't the ones with the best "best" shots, but the ones with the best "worst" shots.
The Vault Line
The Chaos Theory of Scoring
The most profound takeaway from the Michael Kim playbook isn't a swing tip—it's an emotional one. He advocates for "finding peace in the chaos." Most amateurs lose strokes because they are still angry about a bad break from three holes ago. Kim’s strategy is simple: Aggressive Off the Tee, Conservative into Greens, and Zen on the Greens. Follow Kim on X (@mike_kim714) for the most authentic look at the pro grind.
