'I like pumpers': How Lee Trevino can tell if someone can ‘play’ golf

There are golfers, Lee Trevino says, who think they can “really” play golf. And some may be right. And some might not be.

“There’s a bunch of them out there that think they can really play golf,” Trevino said. “When you’re an amateur, you’re an amateur. When you’re messing with the pros, you’re messing with the pros. It’s like boxing. You know, if you fought Golden Gloves, that’s everyone you ever fought, and now you’re going to fight a professional that’s been in the ring for 10 years, you’re going to get killed. Eventually, you’ll get killed.

“So it’s the same thing in golf. You might bite a little bit. You might get a crumb here and there every once in a while.”

The question is, how can you tell if someone is a player — or a non-player? On a recent episode of the Vanity Index Podcast — which you can listen to in full here — the ever-popular Trevino said he has his methods.

Including what the six-time major winner called one of his best ones. It features the set-up. Real ‘players’ check their grip out in front of them, a la, Scottie Scheffler, Trevino said on the podcast.

“When you see a guy grab a club like Scottie — up here, and he’s got it up here — and then he steps into the ball and puts the club down,” Trevino said, “stay away from that guy.”

Then there’s the other group. What do those golfers do?

“The guy you want is the guy that takes the club out and goes [gestured to slamming the club on the ground],” Trevino said on the podcast. “And then he throws the club down on the ground and he’s trying to figure out how the hell to take it back.”

Trevino said those players can also be “pumpers.” At address, they take the club back, check the club, bring it back, then repeat that sequence.

“I like pumpers,” he said on the podcast. “I like the guys that are pumping, you understand. I like those guys that are standing there going [gestured making practice backswings]. See, because they’re not worried about that target. They’re worried about getting their damn hands in the right spot back here and they’re dead. Now this is dead; it’s a blank now.

“You see, you got to hurry up and hit it. Once you look at that target, it’s still there in your memory. It is still there. So you got to pull the trigger. You got to pull the trigger. You can’t just stand there. What the hell are you looking at?”

Trevino explained that these “pumpers” are focused on proper mechanics and body positioning rather than visualizing the target, which he believes can lead to hesitation and indecision before a shot. Their preparatory movements help them lock in the correct position and then execute the swing without overthinking. This indicates a deep understanding of the game and an intuitive feel for the right motion that comes with experience.

The golf legend emphasized that true skill is not shown in overt confidence or complex movements but in the ability to execute a shot effectively and without wavering. Players who spend too much time on preparation often struggle with decision-making and can lose their rhythm. Conversely, those who rely on practiced mechanics and intuition, like the “pumpers,” demonstrate more consistent and confident play.

To listen to more with Trevino on the Vanity Index Podcast — including his thoughts on his handicap and personalities in today’s pro game — click here.