Fear is a powerful magnet that lures people into developing the habit of dwelling on impending doom. Every golfer, regardless of skill level, has felt the indescribable thrill of a flawless shot. It typically happens when we least anticipate it. During the first and a half seconds of a shot, a golfer somehow manages to block out any potential errors and just hit the ball!
The ability to feel strongly is the key to managing fear. How often have you had a string of two bad shots, then in a fit of mild rage, smacked the next shot straight down the fairway? How did that happen, your rage allowed you to concentrate only on the intended target.
Three steps can be taken to lessen (and possibly eliminate) the effects of fear.
Being aware is the first step. When you start to experience fear, stop and take action to break the feeling. To prevent the sensation from materializing into an imagined catastrophe, you could tap your foot, fasten your shoes, or move your bag.
Consider previous achievements in comparable circumstances as the second step. If this particular shot hasn’t worked out well for you, try breaking the pattern by switching up your club or strategy. The majority of us frequently repeat the same holes in the same manner with the same outcomes.
Reinforcing your positive feelings after successful shots is the third step.
While perfection is nice, getting results is the real objective. Put an end to your self-criticism of imperfect shots. Based on the outcomes, assign a score to the shots between one and ten. Excellent would be anything above six. When you make a great shot, do something to capture the moment. Turn the club around, wait until you’ve finished, or you might even want to quietly (but loudly) congratulate yourself.
How frequently have you witnessed a golfer yelling at himself after a bad shot? It’s unusual to hear golfers openly congratulate themselves after a successful shot for some reason.
Fear can be an ally; if your career drive is two hundred yards, you should be cautious about trying to carry two hundred and forty yards over water. Your capacity to recreate your best swing depends on how well you can concentrate on your intended target, assuming you have the necessary foundational skills.
You’ve taken the first step toward realizing your true potential when you acknowledge your fear and figure out how to manage it.