| Like other high visibility games, Golf too has its | | | | experts suggest some golf mental game tips for |
| share of stress. Therefore, the mental side of | | | | engaging both hemispheres of brain like visualizing |
| golf becomes very important. In the absence of | | | | the target, humming your favorite song or |
| golf mental toughness you come across instances | | | | picturing being finished with the job. These cues |
| of golfers literally choking at crucial positions. Greg | | | | engage both hemispheres of the brain and |
| Norman for instance blew a six shot lead in the | | | | enhance performance. |
| final round of the 1996 Masters. In golf, choking | | | | In another study of the mental aspect of golf, it |
| occurs when golfers stop enjoying the game and | | | | was found that the players were most distracting |
| take the tension to heart especially in the final | | | | during the initiation of the downswing. The athletes |
| rounds. Physiologically, choking is associated with | | | | were not easily distracted during the pre shot |
| tightening of muscles, shallow breathing and | | | | phase which indicated they were concentrating |
| frequently results in below par performances. | | | | more on their golf. Mental Golf experts opine that |
| In a mental golf study in Australia, 10 amateur | | | | during the downswing there isn't much need to |
| golfers were asked to hit twenty 2.5 meter | | | | focus, which creates an empty space in the mind |
| straight putts on a flat green. Then pressure was | | | | and allows distractions to get in. |
| progressively increased by throwing in prize | | | | To succeed in the golf mental game, golfers must |
| money for the achievers. Almost all the golfers | | | | develop a set of skills to sidestep or crowd out |
| showed similar increase in brain activity as the | | | | distractions. It is much better for example to |
| stress levels increased. However, analysis of the | | | | concentrate on the immediate target and not on |
| five top performers showed that their brain | | | | possible mistakes like hitting the ball into the lake. |
| activity was evenly distributed throughout both | | | | As an antidote to this tussle in your mind, mental |
| sides of the brain. Those who scored low had the | | | | golf experts suggest filling up the vacant space in |
| left side of the brain doing most of the work. This | | | | your mind with something relevant like picturing |
| would suggest that involving the more creative | | | | the shape of the shot and trying to experience |
| right side of the brain is crucial in getting a good | | | | the feel of a smooth shot. After all, distraction is |
| result when coping with stress. Mental golf | | | | all in the mind. |