| How do you control your golf nerves? First find | | | | misguided at times, like on the first tee of an |
| out why they are making you play nervous golf | | | | important competition. |
| swings, shots, competitions, friendly matches or | | | | When the threat is to the mind more than the |
| anything else. These feelings are just not great | | | | body, then it is sometimes less obvious to the |
| are they? What would it be like to feel and play | | | | nervous golfer. Lets take one of the biggest |
| free of those nerves? | | | | fears of all. Fear of humiliation. In golf, you hit a |
| When I do seminars on the mental game I always | | | | bad shot and feel embarrassed in front of an |
| ask golfers what one internal thing, if they could | | | | audience. Are you one of those golfers who is |
| master it in this program, would make a huge | | | | nervous about being called through the group in |
| difference to the way they perform on the golf | | | | front, because your game is then on show for |
| course and give them more enjoyment. | | | | strangers to watch and comment on? (Without |
| One of the most common answers is; "by | | | | you knowing what they are saying about you?!) |
| Controlling Your Nerves When Golfing!" This is not | | | | It could be another giant in the mental game, |
| surprising really as nervous control in any walk of | | | | "Fear of Failure" that causes your nerves to |
| life seems to be a primary concern for many | | | | spring into action just when you need to be cool, |
| people. Calming nerves in sports, any sport not | | | | calm and collected to play that crucial 3ft putt on |
| just golf, will most certainly improve the | | | | the 18th to win. |
| performance of the athlete at any level, whether | | | | Considering that our golf nerves are not caused |
| you are a complete beginner or a seasoned | | | | by a threat to our physical body (normally) then |
| professional. | | | | understanding what aspect of your mental |
| With improved performance comes improved | | | | well-being is under threat will go a long way to |
| results and that equals more enjoyment and | | | | helping you to come to terms with your nerves |
| when it all boils down to it, we are just trying to | | | | so they work with you in a positive manner. |
| have fun. Out of control nerves in golf are going | | | | Why are your golfing nerves shouting at you? Is |
| to seriously inhibit your ability to perform both | | | | it fear of humiliation on the golf course, or is it |
| physically and mentally so you are absolutely right | | | | fear of failure (which is humiliating) or is it |
| to focus on developing skills and techniques which | | | | something else. It is not for me to explain links |
| will allow you to master your nerves. | | | | between various aspects of your psychology, but |
| Lets be clear about what golf nerves are from | | | | rather encourage you to decide what it is for you |
| your mind and body perspective. They are a | | | | so that you can rationalise it, and get your nerves |
| message from your unconscious - nervous | | | | under control. |
| system - that you need to pay attention. Your | | | | So answer this question first and you will be well |
| body is warning you that there is a possible threat | | | | on the road to conquer your golf nerves. |
| of some kind to the mind or body or both. | | | | "If my mind was sending me a message by |
| If you are asked to do something physically | | | | making me feel these golf nerves, what would |
| dangerous then the threat to physical harm is | | | | that message be?" Ask yourself this question |
| pretty obvious to you when you think about it | | | | many times over the coming days and write |
| and so your body sending you nervous signals is | | | | down every unique answer you come up with. |
| normal and understandable and even desirable. | | | | When you come up with the top answers, start |
| After all you want a warning of possible harm | | | | to rationalise them and you may well find they |
| don't you? I know I do, so I thank my nerves for | | | | really begin calming down now. |
| sending me these signals even if they are a little | | | | |