Are you having trouble handling the “pressure” you feel on the course on the 9^th, or 18^th holes when you are trying to finish off a great round, or hit THE shot that will win your team the money?  If so, then try to simulate those feelings when you practice.  Doing so will put pressure on your mind, and make the real-course scenario easier to handle.  You need to do the following: 

1-     Establish a consistent routine prior to each shot.  NO matter what the situation, you follow it.  It should involve visualizing the shot you plan to hit, some positive self-talk, and a consistent type of practice swing and waggle prior to the shot.  Whatever you do, do it EVERY time. 

2-     Practice pressure situations on the range, either by yourself of with a friend.  Imagine you are hitting your 2^nd shot on #18 and go through the entire process you would on the course.  If you find your mind wandering, then start your routine over.  When you can execute a solid shot over and over on the range, it is incumbent on you to believe you can do it anywhere.  (that includes the course) 

3-     Walk briskly on the range for a few minutes, or even jog lightly, and then walk up to a ball and hit a shot.   If you can get your heart rate and breathing up slightly, this will simulate the physical reaction you often might feel on the course when you are nervous or feeling some pressure.  Once you can learn to breathe correctly and deeply, and can then calm down, you should then fall into your routine and swing away.  You will learn to manage your emotions and your nerves doing this exercise. 

Give these ideas some thought, and try and put them into practice.  Remember, we all want to play better on the course so you must practice handling all kinds of scenarios when you practice.  Dealing with pressure is something that is not usually an issue UNTIL you start your round.  You must then be smarter when you practice so you can learn to address it and then find a way to manage it.  Once you are faced with it on the course, you will have a definite plan of action to get you through it.  

One final thought…imagine how great it feels when you pull off the clutch shot!

© Golf In The Now, Jim Williams. All rights reserved.