Nerves

I've played this game for over 40 years and was fortunate enough to have some very good instructors when I was young. I have never been any better than an 8 Hcp'er. and the only reason is "NERVES". Pro's and fellow golfers look at my swing and shake their heads .... my curse is that I have a picture perfect smooth swing that everyone envies and a score card that no one wants. Once my nerves kick in at the course I'm dead. .... even though most people can't see my faults ... I can feel them. The best I've ever played was when I had a sore back and took medication to ease the pain. It took the edge off, now I'm looking for a natural way to ease nerves on the course.

I can relate to this old post it would be good to see if anyone has some imput.

No-one did last time, maybe its a difficult question.


Ian.

I thought that's why they had beer girls.

My motto is: If you're not going to play good golf, you might as well get a good drunk on.

(Needless to say, this being my first year, I've spent many a round feeling good by the end of it!)

I dunno why anyone would be nervous to a point where there swing was "picture perfect smooth" but scorecard "no one wanted". We've all been a little tense tho.

Ian..thanks for the sly comments bout my swing by the way. What is it your actually nervous about? eg your score bein ****, people watchin you, what they will say, how you act etc?? Maybe you got a little too much pressure on yourself to play well

Why dont you find a person you are comfortable playing golf with and arange to play with him/her every weekend instead of playing with randoms. Jus for a little while till you get bored of 6, 7 rounds of the same people same swing same banter same stories.. you may well want a change of scenery.

__________________
Coach Zindane

I have never made it a secret that I can play comfortably to 9 with anyone, I have always ask for help at GTO with "coping with pressure".

I allways put pressure onto myself when I know there is a 75 or less on, I just can't help it and nothing I have ever tried makes a difference.

Everyone has advice some good some not so good but untill I can score low enough before the seventeenth so that two doubles won't matter then my limit will be 76 77 78 79 80 every time out.

Just to add I am extreemly consistant at scoring 76-80 every time out.


Ian.

It's a mind set I know.

I can't wait until I'm scoring consistently below 80...

**grumble grumble gurgle roar**

Hi Ben,

We all have goals in this game, even pro try to shave a shot off by trying something different.

I have worked very hard at my game and in my opinion I feel that I deserve to break "80" at least 8 times out of 10.

My next target is 75 or less but it seems so far away and I can't see whats missing other than pressure you put on yourself or the "rub of the green".

No-one has been able to help me with what is needed to take my game to the next level.

Ian.

Nerves is something that most teaching pro's cannot do much about. I'm one of the first to admit that coaching the mental side of the game is not my forte ... I don't get nervous on the golf course, it is actually where I feel the most comfortable. The golf course is my saftey zone.

Scoring has never been a problem - I was breaking par within 18 months of starting so I missed the "great struggle" that so many golfers go through. But I have had difficulties ... I have also blown big shots, thrown a good score away on a bad hole, etc. I also battled mentally to break par and then 70 ... I do get nervous but excited nervous ...

To make up for it, I have read extensively, I have studied sports psychology and taken every opportunity to talk to psychologists.

When you toke pain killers, it took the edge off becuase they all contain "beta blockers", which effectively reduces the impulses sent from the nerves to the brain. There are natural beta-blockers which contain, among other things extracts from carrot. You can try to find them from your homeopathic drug-store or natural product outlet.

I can give some other recommendations:
1> Read the book "The Inner Game of Golf" by Timothy Gallwey. It is an excellent read, about 150 pages worth. It can be bought at most retailers or you can also look at Amazon.com, they should have it.

2> Read the books by Dr Bob Rotella. They are mostly about the short-game and mental attitudes but the principles are still the same.

3> If you are struggling to break a scoring barrier, you may find it useful to change the attitude from "scoring" to "playing" ... A complex issue but in a sentence: set up a game plan for the day to achieve a scoring barrier and play each shot as you planned. Forget trying to make birdie or par ... just execute your plan. The score will take care of itself.

4> I also suggest to lots of students who are struggling to break a scoring barrier, let's say it is 80 ... find a player at your club you regularly breaks 80. Arrange a few games with him and chase him down ... shot for shot ... hole for hole ... if he breaks 80, you should to. You're not concerned about your score, but matching him or beating him. This often works simply because he is pushing you along and you're trying to lift your game to the next level. You might not crack it first time, but maybe the next or the next - just carry on trying.

But to get to the next level you need to know what it takes and it always takes a plan. Map out your course, map the shots you want to play and go and do it. Shot for shot ...

Reaching the next level is not mental, it's not physical ... it's possible.

I cannot stress how important it is for every player to have a game plan. Map the course out and map the shots you want to play. Most athletes do this, the professional golfers do it, so why don't amateurs do it? I map out every single round I play ... I realised this key after playing golf for 2 weeks.

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)

Interesting or coincidence?
Last night I started reading a little booklet called: "Managing Emotions, Golf's next frontier" published by HeartMath, $9.95 at www.heartmarth.com.
The foreword is written by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott. The foreword was so interesting that I visited their website: www.golf54.com, which I find even more interesting... The site few thought provoking articles, for those who are looking...
Just for the record: I do not work nor I am related to any of these companies or people...

There is no doubt that golf has reached a frontier. The frontier is taking all levels of golf into realms of physical and mental conditioning not seen before. Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus gymed and prepared mentally as did Ben Hogan, but nothing like we know today.

It is more applicable to tour-level players but every club golfer could benefit from enhanced physical fitness and mental awareness.

I have just purchased "The inner game of golf" I have gone for the origional version not the later one.

I think that revised versions are money spinners !!!!!


Thanks for your imput I will let you know how I go when I get it next week.


Happy New Year


Ian.

It really is one of the best books I have. I also have the original version.

For every serious student I teach, I recommend the book. I think the reprinted version were done for all of them!!

Read the book with an open mind and pick up the little things that might help you understand the "inner game" and how to apply it your personality and game. You can't read it like a novel, like so many people do.

You won't regret buying the book.

Thanks Graham,

I have purchased the one with the green cover 1986, the one with the blue cover 1998 is difficult to locate over here.


Ian.

Mine is "fairway green" with a golf ball on the cover. Sounds like the same as yours.

Thats the one,

There is a newer version 1998 with a blue cover and a golf ball on a tee on the front.


Money spinner no doubt

Ian.