The Ryder Cup is a great example of golfers playing under pressure. With the voices of the crowd in the background and the knowledge of playing for your country/continent, there is a great deal riding on each shot. On top of that there is the fear of letting your playing partner down when playing foursomes and fourballs.
The above is an extreme example of golf at the highest level but even beginner and amateur players can feel pressure when playing golf for many reasons. You could be playing in your first club event or playing in a tournament with a partner, whatever the situation, pressure can build and have a negative impact on your game.
Today, we have some tips that will help you when playing golf under pressure.
Nothing beast being prepared in life and the same applies on the golf course. If you step onto the golf course before a competition and you have not checked your bag to make sure you have everything you need or looked at the golf course on the computer to plan your round, you are entering the unknown.
There is no need to do start a round of golf unprepared. Always check your bag before a round of golf, regardless of whether it is a tournament or not and you can step onto the first tee relaxed, knowing everything is in there.
If you are playing in a competition on a golf course which is new to you, spend a few minutes at home looking at the course map. Can you spot any potential dangers or areas where you can pick up a shot? Knowing what to expect and having a plan in mind for the holes will leave you feeling confident on each tee. This will reduce worry and lower the pressure on your shoulders.
Another great way to handle pressure is to add pressure when practicing. Instead of spending the whole of your practice time feeling relaxed and working on aspects of your game, try adding a competitive element to some areas of your practice.
Set yourself some targets and challenges when practicing, these could be anything from landing a specified number of balls within a certain distance of the flag or putting a number of balls from a certain distance. Doing this will get you used to playing under pressure but make sure you set yourself realistic targets and not something you will struggle to make.
If you are feeling under pressure on the golf course, keep things simple and stick to your routine. Do not try anything out of the ordinary and use your routine to feel comfortable, knowing you have done the same thing successfully many times.
Finally, visualize the positive outcome of what you are trying to achieve with the shot. Imagine seeing the ball land on the green or the ball dropping in the hole and the feelings associated with the outcome.
Recent Comments