Under pressure

The most ''under pressure'' moment for me was when playing a Match-play tournament and I needed to win that (Par 3) sixteenth hole to stay alive...
My opponent's ball was on the green for a four yards birdie putt and my ball was on the fairway two yards short of the green. I knew I had got to sink that ball in that hole eight yards far away...and so far away.
My first thought was, trying to escape from that moment perhaps, to pull the pin gently side to side to keep it vertical because it wasn't... it was useless as you may know. I didn't mind, I was already thinking of the shape of the shot.
Once on the ball, the time and the world stopped as I had never feel before. Only the ball, the hole and me... '' I'm going to make it, I'm going to make it'', no technical thoughts, no negative thougths at all... the shot was almost perfect. I still can see the landing zone and the path in colors when I visualized that chip; first some kind of red and a strong yellow at last moment.
The ball wanted to get into the hole but the non vertical pin didn't allow to, spitting it some inches...
I couldn't believe that bad luck but I discovered that I have a good golf brain hiden somewhere. I don't know exactly where, yet.

Thanks God, my opponent birdied the hole afterwards.

A true story.

Toni.

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To feel fear is also beautiful. -Curro Romero- (bullfighter)

I was on a golf holiday in Spain last year and playing with a guy who was eager to play for money. Having said that, this same guy was known not to be overgenerous. I agreed to play him for €50 for a round on a matchplay basis. Standing on the 17th par 3 165 yds. I was 1 up. He asked me to double up to €100 for the last two holes and wipe my 1 up advantage. I thought about it and said ok. Then I was wondering had I made the wrong decision. He hit a 5 iron and went well wide of the green. I was really anxious and nervous. I pulled myself together, took out a 7 iron and stitched it 3" to the flag.I then hit a drive on the last par 4 and a wedge to the green for a finishing par. I never was so nervous.

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"Play to your ability, not your expectation"

Cool stories. I have never ever ever missed a putt under pressure which I have HAD TO MAKE! NEVER!

My best though was this, I was playing in my Clubs Junior Open. I was in the first group off with a under 16 welsh international boys player I knew I had the talent to beat him. After 9 holes he was +2 I was +3. After 15 holes we were both +7, wet windy day and man was it getting tense (we have always had abit of a rivalry going on) no words were being said it was like playing with Tiger lol.! So 16th hole he goes for the green with driver I just hit an iron off the tee and wait for him to make the mistakes, he hits it in the bushes I hit my 2nd shot just right of the green and he chips out the bushes chips on and taps in for par. I HAD to get up and down in my mind, I had one hell of a nasty chip I had to flop it over a bunker and I was lucky to get it within 15ft. So I had a 12fter to keep myself in it and HOLED IT now it was awesome pressure on 17th tee, short par 3. I stick my p wedge to 4ft and he hits it over the green. he chips down to 3ft and i make birdie and he misses for par!!!! Now im
+6 and he is +8 I totally mess up the 18th hole and he makes par and i have a putt for double bogey from 35ft and if I hole I win because I have had the better back nine!! I step up pretty confident and ram it in for a double bogey and the win! IT WAS AWESOME! Now his mate called ben who also plays for wales I have beaten home and away in junior league 2&1 and 6&5!! Bout time I go to welsh trials i think!

Sometimes you get the feeling that the ball is going nowhere but the hole, it seems as if the hole is a magnet for your ball.

I remember recently having a 35 yard putt that had to drop two levels to a pin that was just on the bottom of the second level and way left of me. The moment I hit the ball I just knew it would drop in and it did.

Lots of effective practice is the key to hitting those clutch shots.