The Mental Game

BoardsMember

I'd be really interested to hear input from people who consider themselves good under pressure - in the big club tournaments, interclub matchplay competitions, coming down the stretch, when the going gets tough.

I know a lot of it is "you either have it or you dont", and you also have to have the practise under the belt to know that you have the game for the occasion, but I am sure there are thoughts, drills, preparations that people do to make themselves stronger when it matters. I'm not talking so much about having to sink ten 3 footer putts in a row, or start again etc, it's more little things you use yourself to get yourselves over the line.

mags1962

I suppose no one knows how they will react under pressure but I find the way really is to get experience under pressure which can not be replicated in practice.
When you get that feeling in your stomach, what to do? Some find deep breathing the way, others sing happy/favourite songs out loud or in their head and lots believe in positive thinking, remember the shot exactly the last time or from practice.
Welcome that feeling, be happy, be positive. Do not think of negative outcomes, what if I hit it fat, long, slice it, hook it, left, right.
Apparently the muscle memory listens to the brain and if you think "don't hit it left" the brain transmits "left" and guess what.
No expert, just my two cents worth.

sweetswing

Everything that mags said, plus don't take on shots you can't pull off , this usually puts you in more trouble and the pressure builds !
Golf is all about confidence , believe you can ,and you can !
Don't be afraid to lay up if your not comfortable , try have a plan of how your going to play every hole before you start your round and stick to it !

chalkie 501

As Mags said "welcome the feeling"
or as the saying goes "pressure is for tyres"
but really you cant teach someone how do handle it,it comes with experience.