Aldrich Potgieter holds the title of the PGA Tour’s longest hitter, averaging 330.7 yards last season, but his ability to sleep on airplanes is a skill he values just as highly. The South African recently discussed his travel routine with Yahoo Sports, explaining how he manages the grueling 14 to 16-hour flights from Atlanta to his home in George, South Africa. One of his trips stretched to about 17 hours on the long leg alone before a connecting flight. While many golfers struggle to rest during these transoceanic journeys, Potgieter treats sleep as a superpower that helps him recover for competition.
Potgieter often falls asleep before dinner is served and wakes up only when the crew announces the plane’s descent. This strategy allows him to handle the time difference between the United States and his home country without losing focus. He noted that the journey is not just about distance but about adjusting to the clock immediately. The physical toll of crossing multiple time zones requires a disciplined approach to rest.
Managing the Jet Lag Reality
Even with the ability to sleep through most of an intercontinental flight, Potgieter admits that stepping off the plane does not mean he is fully adjusted to the local time. Because he naturally feels drowsy around 4 or 5 in the afternoon, he noted that entering the United States is usually simpler for him. However, the return trip to South Africa presents the opposite problem. He told Yahoo Sports that he has to be mentally prepared for the disruption. “You’ve got to know you’re gonna have to take two or three days to get used to [the time change] and then be okay with that.” That struck the reporter as the most useful advice for any golfer planning a similar itinerary.
The goal of this third column within the Traveling Under Par series is to assist golfers in managing the interval from departure to the first tee. While Golfweek provides course evaluations, this advice focuses on the logistics of the journey itself. Potgieter’s approach is refreshingly uncomplicated: give yourself time to adjust before expecting to perform. His ability to win the 2025 Rocket Classic and lead the Tour in driving distance shows that this travel strategy works.
The Physical Cost of Long Hauls
For a player who hits the ball 330 yards, maintaining physical freshness is critical. The 17-hour flight represents a significant portion of a week’s schedule. Potgieter’s method of sleeping through the meal service ensures he gets a solid block of rest. He does not rely on brief naps that end when a beverage cart clips an elbow. Instead, he aims for deep sleep that covers the bulk of the flight time. This discipline allows him to arrive in South Africa ready to train or compete, rather than fighting fatigue.
The contrast between his home schedule and the PGA Tour schedule is stark. He has to switch between time zones repeatedly throughout the year. The advice to allow two or three days for adjustment is a realistic assessment of what the body needs. Many players try to force themselves to stay awake or sleep at odd times, but Potgieter accepts the reality of the biological clock. His success on the course suggests that prioritizing rest over rigid scheduling is the right move for elite athletes.
Lessons for the Amateur Golfer
Amateur golfers planning international trips can learn from Potgieter’s experience. The key is not to fight the time change but to plan for it. If a flight is long, sleeping through it is better than trying to stay awake. The 14 to 16-hour travel time is a standard part of the professional life for players from South Africa, Australia, or Asia.
