Zach Johnson and the offseason and McGladrey Classic (Sponsor Content)

Courtesy of Country Inns & Suites (Sponsor Content)

Zach Johnson talks about the offseason and playing a "home game" in the sixth of six Inside Looks with PGA.com

There's really not a lot of down time anymore because of the PGA Tour's wraparound schedule. Do you anticipate taking any time off coming up? What will you do in your down time?

A) With the new PGA TOUR schedule and wrap-around idea, there really is no offseason with the tour starting up again just two weeks after the conclusion of the Ryder Cup. I think a lot of us are still trying to figure out the best plating schedule and how to effectively approach the new season from October through the end of the year. Post Ryder Cup, I plan to play two events, starting with the McGladrey Classic and then defending at Tiger's event. Any downtime I have will be spent with family and getting my game and body ready for the start of the new year.

In years past, players might wait until the offseason to make drastic changes to certain areas of their respective games. Now, it seems, you need to make those changes on the fly. How difficult is that?

A) Well, I have never been one to make drastic changes as that is just not in my makeup. I am more about refining and tweaking things to get them dialed in. But even with that being said, the time crunch of the new schedule certainly makes the process more condensed. Being efficient with your time has never been more important in my opinion.

In Damon Green, you have not only an incredible caddie but a very special player in his own right. Can you tell us a little about Damon's game and how much of an asset he is to you on the course?

A) I've been very fortunate to have one of the game's top caddies on my bag in Damon. First of all, he has great experience, working for Scott Hoch for many years prior to me, and he's been by my side since 2004. He knows the game so well, and most importantly knows my game so well that he is really a huge asset. In addition to being a great caddie, Damon is also a very accomplished player who has played in three senior majors the past few years. He's also won a ton of mini-tour events over the years. It's amazing to me that Damon can go right from working for me to a US Senior Open qualifier for example, with no preparation and play great. I don't understand it, but it is a special.

One of the early events on the 2014-15 schedule is the McGladrey Classic at the Sea Island Resort. That's a home game for you. Home game's are rare. What's that week like for you?

A) Sea Island and specifically Saint Simons Island is our home and a very special place. To have the McGladrey Classic here is fantastic! Not only is it a home game, but McGladrey is one of my long-term corporate partners, so it really makes for a tremendous week. Being able to have my family here, sleep in my own bed and have so many friends and family out there supporting me is wonderful. I feel like with this and the John Deere Classic that I get two home games per year.

More so than ever before, fitness is a key element for golfers. Can you tell us a little about your fitness routine?

A) Tiger really introduced the idea of fitness becoming a key element to golf. Before Tiger we didn't have the fitness trailers we have and at first there was no one in there using the them. Today, I'd have to say most players have some kind of fitness routine and the trailers are always full of guys working out. To me, it is a vital part of my routine that not only keeps me physically at my best but is something that will add longevity to my career. In the offseason, I work on strength-building trying to get stronger and leaner. When the season starts, it is more golf-functional moves that I am focused on and less emphasis on strength-building. I have a great team that gives me the right things to work on and keeps me motivated.

Finally, can you tell us how your goal-setting process works for a new season? Who all is involved in setting those goals?

A) I have always focused on setting process-oriented goals versus results-based goals. So I am never going to make goals like winning golf tournaments or making the Ryder Cup. Instead, I focus on evaluating my strengths and weaknesses at the end of the year with a year-end team summit. We pour through my stats and discern my biggest strengths and weaknesses. Then we develop a plan and schedule to make sure my strengths stay my strengths and we develop some measurable goals to address my weaknesses. Everybody has input at the meeting and anything can be put on the table. Typically the summit includes my teacher, strength and fitness team, stats guy, mental coach, caddie and manager. The summit provides a great way to look back on the year and construct a plan for the upcoming year. 

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Country Inns & Suites is proud to sponsor PGA Tour Pro Zach Johnson. A dedicated Masters Champion, community leader and family man, Zach shares our genuine commitment to always go above and beyond – on and off the course. At Country Inns & Suites that means a stay delivered with touches of home, such as complimentary hot breakfast, free high-speed internet, a great night's rest and genuine hospitality.

 

Book your next stay with Country today and see why Zach Johnson considers us the next best thing to home when he is on the road. www.countryinns.com.