There are many different reasons why someone might experience nerves on the course – whether it is a game for business, your first big tournament, or your first-time playing golf! No matter the reason, anxiety and nerves can immensely affect your game and affect how success looks for you on the course. Here are a few tips on how you can fight through your nerves and keep as calm as possible for the best outcome:
Breathe, breathe, breathe!
When things get tough and you begin to feel nervous and stressed, take time to stop and take a few deep breaths to relax your heart rate and get your mind focused back on the game.
Keep your body and grip loose.
People experiencing nerves or anxiety often feel a tension throughout their entire body, which can move into your hands and fingers. It is important to keep your grip loose because tightness causes more tension.
Focus on your mental and emotional game.
A true golfer knows that your mental and emotional game is just as, if not more important than your physical game! Do not internally put the pressure on yourself and try to stay as relaxed and calm as possible. Putting the pressure on yourself can result in struggling to play consistent golf.
Do not dwell on bad shots or games.
If something goes wrong, give yourself constructive criticism so you can move forward, and then focus on the future! Do not dwell on shots that could have gone better, or games that should have gone a different way. Keep moving forward and pushing to be a better game player and realize that mistakes happen to everyone!
