A rejuvenated focus on hard work, fitness, and mental fortitude lies at the core of Dominic Foos’ aims for 2025.

The Dubai resident has navigated his way through the choppy waters of the professional world over the past 10 years.

In 2015, aged just 17, he burst onto the scene by becoming the youngest winner on the then Challenge Tour, thanks to an invite into the event. Despite the fast start to his career, the youngster never kicked on fully to the DP World Tour. But still, German-born Foos describes his current golfing situation as “a lot”—but in the best possible way.

“I’ve been working really hard lately. I always have, but it’s been a lot of work,” shares Foos on the driving range at The Els Club Dubai, his home course. The now 27 year old had just returned from a ten-day trip to the US to see his coach, but despite his busy schedule, remains upbeat in what lays ahead. “I love working hard, so I’m having a lot of fun.”

Having called Dubai and The Els Club his home for over 10 years, even in the past decade, the city was a very different place from how Dominic remembers. “None of the houses were built then,” he recalls. “This really feels like home. I’m very grateful to them (The Els Club Dubai) for helping me and supporting me over the years, as well as for giving me an amazing course to play and practice on.”

Like many professional athletes, Foos has faced challenges over the last few years, especially with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic serving as a stumbling block for his career development. “Everyone I talk to says the Covid years just flew by. It’s definitely been challenging.

“I certainly haven’t played as well as I wanted to, but I feel like I’m on a really good track now and working on the right things.

“I’ve just got my Asian Tour card, which is great. I’ve only played one event so far, but there are some good ones coming up, so I’m really looking forward to getting started there and posting some good results.”

Foos’ mindset shift is also reflected in his approach to fitness—not just for golf, but for his life in general. “I think it plays a very big and important role, for sure. It’s kind of evolved for me a little bit as well.

“You’ve got to be very mobile, and you’ve got to have the speed, strength, and endurance, especially with all the travelling we do.”

So much so, Foos has undergone a new fitness and lifestyle regimen including the 75-Day Hard Challenge, in a bid to open up his mind to a different approach to golf fitness. “It was super spontaneous,” Foos admits. “I didn’t plan on doing it at all. It includes two workouts a day, a strict diet—no sugar, no alcohol—and a commitment to reading ten pages of a nonfiction book every day.

“This is day 31 today, and I’m kind of over the sugar part, so it’s all good there. But forcing myself to read every day, especially after a long practice, when I’m not really in the mood to read, I’m still forcing myself to do it. But I’m really loving it now.”

“For me, it’s like 90% mental,” he says. “When I work out, I automatically want to eat better, I sleep better, and I just feel more structured in everything I do, including my golf.” His emphasis on mental health is clear, and he’s continually seeing the difference fitness can make on his overall well-being.

“If I’m structured in my workouts, I’m much more structured in my golf game and practice,” he explains, stressing the link between physical and mental health.

“Tiger started it with the whole fitness thing, and if you look at the guys on tour, they’re all fit-looking guys. The same with the ladies—they’re all super athletic. You can really see a big shift towards fitness now, even on the DP World Tour. They do a great job of giving players the logistics and infrastructure to have a gym there every single week, and players use it, so it’s super important.”

As his season progresses, Dominic is not just playing golf—he’s redefining his approach to his career, fitness, and mindset. Whether it’s on tour, in the gym, or competing in the Lion’s Den at The Els Club Dubai, Foos is determined to keep evolving.

As he himself puts it, “Golf doesn’t change, right? The ball is the same. The clubs are the same. But I just feel like I’m in a really good place now.” And with the way he’s preparing for 2025, he’s set to do just that.

This article was featured in the March 2025 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. Click here for a digital issue of the full magazine