Manage the moment to avoid the choke
IN: Golf Psychology | by Andrea Furst | 20 Aug 2007
A focus on process has been, and will continue to be, the primary message for satisfying and successful golf.
What about when you are so close to doing something special with your round? The pressure of being able to perform when there really is something important at the end – not just a good round, but your best, or not just a win, but a major.
If you think that the guys and girls at the top don’t suffer from the enormous effects of doing something special, you only have to revisit the coverage of some of the majors over the past few years to see it live. It appears as if in slow motion for viewers to witness, never mind the agonising pain that the players are experiencing while going through the minor or major meltdowns, the choke – when the pressure is too much and the processes get thrown out the window.
The special result is way too close and it surpasses all of the effective processes that got them to that level in the first place. The processes that have guided players to experience the opportunity of almost winning a major are abandoned because the results, and everything that comes with that results, are so tempting, so luring, and are within reach.
This happens in every sport, at every level – the top athletes experience it and we watch it live on television or at the event, the weekend warriors experience it in the sanctuary and comfort of their home course.
Advice For These Moments
Doing something special is the work of process-focussed athletes. They remain 100% committed to going through the same steps they have developed as their system (the system that was emphasised in last month’s article).
When on the verge of this special moment emotions want to take over – expect them to take over. Athletes tend to report nerves and anxiety as the most prevalent emotions – the body and mind are vexed as they struggle to reconcile with the demands of the situation. So, when the word ‘expect’ is used it is suggested that you expect these types of emotions to be anything from slight to extreme discomfort and plan for how you will deal with this discomfort.
There are numerous skills and strategies that you can learn as a golfer to best prepare you for these special times in your professional or amateur career. The obvious skills are ones that relax your mind and body and/or the skills which assist you to focus. You will need to rely on these emotional management strategies more than ever in these circumstances.
When the special moments are near, athletes often acknowledge the thoughts and associated feelings of there being “a lot to lose” – all the hard work can always be ruined in one shot – this is the extremely harsh reality of the pointy end of anyone’s golf game, whatever the level.
Repeat These Rules
- My processes are so important
- My emotional control/management strategies are so important
These two combined are more important than the result.
Of course, this focus on process is on the way to getting the result. Once you have the result in your hot little hands – the result means a lot, so show it off! But, always know and remember how you achieved it.
Rather than being scared of special moments, embrace these, you are encouraged to welcome them and learn to manage the discomfort of these times so you can move your game to the next level, whether that is simply dropping your handicap, shooting a best round ever, getting to single figures, or winning the British Open.
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