It's not a good routine, but it happens quite often. If you happen to be one of those types of players, try these tips and see if you don't improve your overall score.
First, get to the course 30 to 60 minutes before your tee time. Simply getting to the course early enough that you don't have to rush around will improve your score. Not only will this extra time allow you to warm up physically, but it will also allow you to calm down emotionally. It will help you get 'grounded', so to speak, and that's very important before hitting that first ball.
Now that you're at the course early and have some time, take care of business first. Sign in, change shoes, etc. You should immediately feel the comfort of not having to rush. And this does feel good!
Many players want to head straight for the driving range to warm up, but I prefer to go to the practice green first. Putting is a major part of your game and you should spend at least 5 minutes just putting to a coin or tee stuck in the green. This gives you a chance to get that smooth stroke motion back into your memory banks, but it also gives you a great opportunity to check how the greens/grass are playing today. Once you feel you understand how the greens are playing for the day, putt a few balls from various distances into a cup. Take you time, enjoy it. You've got plenty of time today!
Keep in mind that on a well-cared-for course the practice green is almost always cut by the same mower that cuts the course greens. What you see and feel on the practice green is what you can expect to see and feel when you get out on the course itself.
Before you leave your putting practice warm up session, do yourself a very big favor. Putt a dozen balls or so from 6 inches into the cup. You should be able to make just about every one of these and seeing those balls drop will increase your confidence in your putting immensely. Never mind that it's only a 6 inch putt...the trick is to "see" those balls drop. Try it, it works!
No matter if you are watching the PGA, LPGA or Champions Tour, it happens on every single Sunday. Someone has to deal with the pressure and tension of trying to win a golf tournament with their golf mental toughness. No matter whether you are a rank beginner, a middle handicap or a scratch player, we all have ups and downs within each round that we play. It could a be a stretch of difficult holes, one loose shot or a bad break after a good shot that changes how you feel about your game. Here are five ways that the Pros handle the pressure and tension during a round:
Breathing In stressful situations your breathing tends to become shallow not allowing as much oxygen into your body and your body requires oxygen to perform at its peak. If you practice conscious breathing during the round you will feel more relaxed, clear headed, focused and energetic, all of which are necessary for peak performance.
Be Your Own Best Caddy I have had the opportunity to work with many very successful business people during my career. It has always amazed me how these successful people talk to themselves while attempting to play golf. At some point during their career, all successful people have had to be a successful sales person. They may not have sold actual products but, they have sold their ideas and others have had to buy-in. I often ask them how they felt prior to presenting an idea. The usual on word answers include prepared and confident.
Confidently Gather Info How would you go about holding that business meeting? You would first gather information. Just as Annika Sorenstam.s coach, Pia Nilsson has named her book, every shot must have a purpose. Where are the good and bad places you can hit this golf ball? What is your yardage, wind etc.?
Trust Trust the information that you have put together for your presentation and present your idea or in this case swing the golf club.
Evaluate Once you had given your business presentation, you would then go and calmly evaluate what went well and what could be a do-better. This should be done while you are still in your balanced finish.
With this information and the past success you have had in business, I suggest that you are better at this than you give yourself credit. Monitor your breathing, be your own best caddy, confidently gather your information, trust your information while you present (swing) and then calmly evaluate what went right and what could be a do-better. These steps will improve your golf game sooner rather than later.
Both Robert Partain & Max Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Robert Partain has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interest, Golf Guide and Health. Robert Partain has been an avid golfer for over 40 years. He publishes a golf blog that is updated 4 times a week with , techniques, and information.. Robert Partain's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Max Johnson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Shopping and Modelling. Max Johnson writes golf articles for . Click to find a. Max Johnson's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.