Let's talk a little bit about the issues golfers face during a round of play. For instance when a golfers is on the first tee and suddenly is terrified of what to do (this can happen to golfers of any level).
Keep in mind crowds , pressure to perform, and desire to play great can all raise the level of personal fear, stress, or anxiety. Such is a moment of dread.
So to tell such a golfer to "just relax" is often like telling someone who is drowning to swim! Even experienced sky divers can freeze up right before they jump out of a plane. To say "Just Jump" will not help, nor provide calm to any degree.
There are millions of golfers who want to have fun and show they are a good partner. However, on occasion they, in effect can't perform, so what they do if able to swing a club is almost always mis-hot, top the ball, hit a grounder off the tee or miss. Make mistakes.
In short they get in their own way. Helping them learn about these issues is the job of the golf coach and seeing this often is a start for a nervous golfer to begin to learn how to heal their issues.
For instance if someone explains to you, every golfer, everyday makes poor hits. They hit into water, out of bounds under trees and into the gallery of spectators. I often hear such golfers make the statement "I just want to run and hide."
If you play golf you will have errors in judgement, select the wrong club, top the ball, or hit the ground instead. So often I discuss what is "OVER TRYING" the idea that self-expectations can produce unrealistic results.
I spoke with a golfer who had a metal bar welded across the back of the roof supports on his golf cart. I asked him,... "what is this bar for on your cart, since I had never seen one prior."
He said, ..." oh when I make a terrible hit I attach my "punching bag" to the bar and beat the hell out of it. Instead of throwing my putter in the pond or wrapping my driver around the tree. "
Wow such a creative solution I thought. Yet getting mad like does not help it hurts your game. Essentially those behaviors cause your brain to kick into over-drive. Responses of negativity in anxiety, anger, fear, rejection means the consequences can hurt your game.
Blood Pressure Rises, Pulse Rate Jumps Up, all your muscles contract and your beathing almost stops.
Perfect examples of what NOT TO DO ON THE GOLF COURSE. Good coaches explain this in their initial golf teachings.
I told the golf cart driver to go grab a drink or brew, have a friend drive the cart and stop keeping score. Make golf fun, not a means of getting angry that hurts your game.
Realize others do not enjoy open displays of uncontrolled anger, nasty comments, poor sportsmanship.
Golf is meant to be fun, enjoy the outdoors, play with friends. So instead of others avoiding you, get them involved make golf fun again.
Tell stories at the clubhouse food court, smile at your spouse and have your kids learn that dad likes this game of golf.
Dr. Dunkley
