Controlling anxiety during a tournament

[Pepperturbo]

5 hours ago, ferrispgm said:

When I play for something, I don't care how I play.  I figure I'm a nobody so nobody will care what I shoot because the next day, no one is going to remember. Of course I want to do well, but worrying about it isn't going to change anything.  

 

Really, wow...

 

Over all my years of Interclub match play and stroke events, I played with and against, or encountered many of the same guys.  Many including me, remember when we lost or won, who beat us, by how many strokes, even remember great shots by opponents.  We don't worry about any of that, it's more acknowledgment of great times.

Edited June 8, 2023 by Pepperturbo
edit

[ferrispgm]

3 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

Really, wow...

 

Over all my years of Interclub match play and stroke events, I played with and against, or encountered a many of the same guys.  Many including me, remember when we lost or won, who beat us, by how many strokes, even remember great shots by opponents.  We don't worry about any of that, it's more acknowledgment of great times.

Don't get me wrong, I remember the events and how I generally played but to me, there are worse things in life than playing poorly in a tournament and dwelling on blowing up a round doesn't do any good.  In weekly member games, I can't count the number of times I would shoot 88 the first week and take flack then shoot 72 the next and take money.  All you can do is try and play better the next time. What's in the past is in the past.  I'm naturally very pragmatic though so it probably comes easier for me.

[Pepperturbo]

12 minutes ago, ferrispgm said:

Don't get me wrong, I remember the events and how I generally played but to me, there are worse things in life than playing poorly in a tournament and dwelling on blowing up a round doesn't do any good.  In weekly member games, I can't count the number of times I would shoot 88 the first week and take flack then shoot 72 the next and take money.  All you can do is try and play better the next time. What's in the past is in the past.  I'm naturally very pragmatic though so it probably comes easier for me.

I hear ya, can't change the past, and there are many more important things in life. 

 

Golf is a sport meant to enjoy with friends.  We're not making a living at it, nor is the $$$ I win or payout changing my life.  Some people take golf too damn serious, and whine, but those same people whine about a lot of other things in life.  In other words, unhappy people.  I pay them no mind. 

[MPStrat]

Two words.. cold plunge 😂 

 

Im actually serious. I do this before every competitive round and it really helps. You don’t need an ice bath or cold tub at first, the shower on all cold for about 60 seconds works fine. Nothing you encounter during your round will be this bad and there are proven health benefits. Improves focus, puts some of the butterflies to sleep and creates a release of endorphins that will improve your overall mood. **Consult your doctor before trying this if you have health issues**

 

Try to eat somewhat decently the day before and day of competition and get a decent rest the night before. 
 

I know it’s not fashionable to say this but short game is of vital importance in the embarrassment category. If you are someone who bleeds a lot of strokes on and around the greens, there is almost no limit to how bad you can shoot in competition. On the days you’re slapping it around, wedges/short game/putting are what help to keep the round somewhat respectable. 
 

Remember why you’re doing this.. competition is fun. The atmosphere can be electric, even on a modest scale. It’s what competitors live for. Remember that you’re a competitor and you’re willfully seeking out competition. It is addicting, and casual rounds become a lot less interesting when you’re used to being under the gun. 

 

Ultimately it’s sucks to play bad, it stings to lose, but these things are not unique to you.

Edited June 9, 2023 by MPStrat

[Llortamaisey]

Ativan and beta blockers

[Mono]

so - i don't play competitively - and i'm not particularly good - but i have given myself the yips off the tee from anxiety - took me a bit to figure out what i had done to myself 

 

i have been hitting fairways again with some of the typical yipping suggestions - focus on the target and tempo (anything but ball focused) 

 

but i heard this great podcast recently - be the right club today interviewed this guy Raymond Prior - it was pretty genius imo - sports phychologist works with some top players - the podcast was great - they actually interview him a couple of times, but his book literally just came out, Raymond Prior 'Golf Beneath the Surface' - for anyone that suffers from anxiety - these are great resources

 

Be The Right Club Today Podcast: Season 2 - Episode 8: Raymond Prior Ph.D. on Apple Podcasts

 

Golf Beneath the Surface: The New Science of Golf Psychology: Prior PHD, Raymond: 9781637743096: Amazon.com: Books

 

 

[ferrispgm]

15 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

I hear ya, can't change the past, and there are many more important things in life. 

 

Golf is a sport meant to enjoy with friends.  We're not making a living at it, nor is the $$$ I win or payout changing my life.  Some people take golf too damn serious, and whine, but those same people whine about a lot of other things in life.  In other words, unhappy people.  I pay them no mind. 

It's funny....when I first started at 16, I used to be super serious...I would get so mad whenever I wasn't inside of 15ft on the green or didn't flush a driver.  Now I'm a ton better and as long as my next shot is playable, I'm totally content.  

 

Whining people who blame everyone else instead of taking control are the bane of my existence....the only thing that makes me cringe more is seeing any news story about the Kardashians lol

[2bGood]

On 6/7/2023 at 1:14 PM, NevinW said:

I'm playing in more Senior tournaments these days and controlling my anxiousness during the round is an issue.  I'd like to hear some tips on how you deal with tournament jitters.

[Moonlightgrm]

On 6/7/2023 at 4:14 PM, NevinW said:

I'm playing in more Senior tournaments these days and controlling my anxiousness during the round is an issue.  I'd like to hear some tips on how you deal with tournament jitters.

Bob Rotella’s books or CDs has saved many golfers. Start with one of his books or CDs. 

[aggiegolfer21]

Know that you can hit bad shots and still play great golf.  Bad shots are inevitable, win anyways.

[Khill818]

Old Tennis coach here:

 

Every athlete I've coached needed to practice more like it's a match...and play a match more like it's practice.

 

Pressure is self applied in sports.  It is a disproportionate concern for the consequences of failure.  In a match, my players would return a shot that was out and didn't count...and amaze themselves with the result.  The closer you get to that mindset the better.  Lot's of good self talk above. 

 

I would put a 10 foot 2x4 board across 2 bricks and make the team walk it.  Usually 100% success.  Then I'd ask " If this board was a walk across 2 building in New York would we have 100 success?"

 

They would say no, and I'd point out the task is the same.  The consequences are different.

 

To the OP...what advice would you give someone walking across the building, who repeatedly succeeded across the bricks?? 

Edited January 22 by Khill818

[golferdude54]

Have a consistent gait and pre-shot routine. Walk at your normal pace at all times, NEVER hurry. If you feel nervous before a shot, stop and take deep breaths before starting your pre-shot routine. Don't ever talk between your first tee shot and your last putt, this is the hardest part. This is how Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson advocated playing in a tournament.

[Pepperturbo]

On 6/9/2023 at 8:51 AM, 2bGood said:

I carry a flask with this: 

[cubbieblue]

From a physical standpoint, if it's a feeling of being "locked-up" over a shot, I do three non-stop practice swings and then immediately step in and hit whatever shot I'm trying to hit.  Keeps my body moving and doesn't give my mind time to think.

[Obee]

On 6/7/2023 at 8:06 PM, Mrgreen36 said:

Alcohol 

Yup

[nikegolfer93]

Mamba Mentality