For some people, it does not matter whether they are playing a round of golf with friends or participating in a tournament, they will always feel nervous about playing golf.
There is nothing wrong with feeling nervous and nerves can arise for several reasons including the desire to want to play well or the fact people are going to be watching you because it’s a big local tournament.
Today, we have some great tips which may help if you are feeling nervous about playing golf.
The first thing to accept is you will struggle to remove nerves completely when playing golf, especially if you have always felt them. In many ways, there is little difference between feeling nervous about playing a round of golf with friends and feeling nervous about playing a big shot in a tournament situation.
The key is to manage the nerves and turn them into a positive energy and that starts with breathing. Whatever the situation on the golf course, you can always take a minute to breathe deeply and allow oxygen to enter your body.
Your body will perform at its best if it is well oxygenated and you can watch Jason Day playing on the PGA Tour, to see a great example of this in action.
If you feel nervous about playing golf with your friends and having them watch you play your shots, take a minute to think about why you are playing the sport. Every person who steps onto the golf course wants to play the round of their life but is that all its about? Playing well and nothing else?
When playing with friends, there is the social aspect of golf to enjoy. You are using your free time to play golf with friends because you like playing the game and spending time with that group of people. Have a laugh and joke when someone plays a bad shot and expect the same in return when you make a mistake. Laughing is a great way to reduce nerves and you will feel all the better as a result.
However, some people are a nervous wreck when playing golf, especially in a tournament situation and if you cannot lose the nerves, you must embrace them.
The first step is admitting you are nervous. Do not try and cover it up by acting confident when you are feeling the opposite. Talk to your friends and family beforehand and tell them you are feeling a little anxious but ready for the challenge which awaits on the course.
Doing this will immediately make you feel better about playing the round and put you in a good frame of mind. You have admitted you are feeling nervous but at the same time, you are ready to step onto the course and show what you can do. This has changed your mind frame from one of anxiousness to something more positive.
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