Feeling Nervous

‘Feeling Nervous’

Do you know that feeling when you stand on the first tee or over an important putt?

Feeling nervous?

Do not worry because you are not alone, because even the top golfers in the world have the same feelings.

Here are some of the comments made by the world’s best:

  1. Pressure is not playing for $ millions but when playing for $5 when you only have $2 in your pocket – Lee Trevino.
  2. Suffering from a severe attack of nerves I hit a 7-iron 154 yards into the hole for an eagle – Ian Woosnam, Sun City 1987.
  3. All I was thinking was don’t duff it into the water –Sam Torrance, playing a 9-iron to the 18th at the Belfry in the 1985 Ryder Cup.
  4. I was going to give him the putt but thought, oh I’ll just let him tap it in – Sandy Lyle on the 18” putt missed by Craig Stadler on the 18th in the same match.
  5. A psycho-neuro-muscular problem faced by golfers when putting – Mayo Clinic Sports Science USA description of the yips.
  6. I used to leave the putter in the bag as long as possible because I could not bear the thought of touching it – Ian Woosnam on his putting problems in 1999.
  7. I had finished double bogey, par, double bogey, par and won every hole – Colin Montgomerie on beating Mark Calcavechia at Kiawah Island in 1991.
  8. Feeling awful Tony? If it’s any consolation so do I – Jack Nicklaus to Tony Jacklin at the 18th hole at the 1969 Ryder Cup.

So you see to be nervous is normal, how you overcome these feelings is the secret.

This can only be done by having a set routine, confidence in your equipment and your ability to play the required shot and eliminating the potential outcome from your thoughts until the task is complete.

You can’t afford the luxury of a negative thought.