On the golf course and in tournaments:
Every shot counts and has a consequenceEvery shot is a unique challengeThere are several minutes between shots for possible “thinking” timeYour heart rate is higher
Although most golfers know this to be true, they spend very little time practicing in a way that will help them to adapt to the changing (external and internal) conditions between practice and play. Instead, they over-practice the technical and don’t train their “performance skills” such as focus, dealing with consequences and internal state management.
Although the golf course is the best place to practice (after all, that’s where we play the game), most of us have more frequent access to driving ranges and practice facilities. For this reason, it’s important to find ways to simulate what we experience on the golf course and in tournament play, so we can improve our performance skills and become better at executing our best technical skills on the course.
I should clarify that I’m not implying that a golfer shouldn’t practice technique for golf – of course we need to work on technical skill development. But if you are to become a player who performs well under pressure, you’ll need to allocate time in every practice session to develop your mental game of golf by doing Pressure Practice For Golf.
Pressure Practice For Golf, trains you to:
Get yourself into the competitive mindsetAdapt quickly to challenges (instead of repetitions of the same shot)Think clearly in difficult situationsBe more comfortable being uncomfortableStick to your “Process”Deal with nerves in golf and higher arousal levels
I have plenty of pressure practice for golf drills and ways to create a competitive environment in the Golf State of Mind Practice book. In addition to the challenges in the book, your imagination is a very helpful tool in simulating the pressure of the real thing.
Before you go to your session, think about different situations which would change your internal state to be ready to use them in practice. Create vivid representations of them in your mind i.e. who you are playing with, the tournament, the golf course, the colors, the weather, etc.