Choking in Golf

Choking in golf is a rarely admitted experience for the professional golfer. I mean how many time does a golfer do a post round interview and actually admit he/she choked under the pressure?

Woody Austin did just that and I respect him for it. He's human and doesn't hide behind a false bravado. He's honest with his inner game. He battles nerves and says so. Yet he is able to compete at the highest levels in golf.

He openly admitted he "puked his guts out". Many, many pros and golfers of all levels wrestle with their nerves. it is a lifelong experience for some. Yet it doesn't have to be this way...

Anatomy of Choking in Golf

Every state you have in life is built from your 5 senses: sight, sound, feeling, taste and smell. In golf it's mainly see, hear, feel. How you arrange these senses, either consciously or unconsciously, determines how you react/approach things.

Whatever situation you enter in life, your subconscious, in response to your conscious mind self-talk and internal images, scans your memories to find ways to respond. If your habituated response has been nervousness and a feeling of pressure then this will be our natural response.

If, on the other hand, we have an internal representation of calm, focus and inner confidence, we will experience the situation quite different. Your responses and their resulting actions are self made. Therefore are within your control and ability to change as you would like them...

How does a golfer achieve their desired state under pressure? Ahhh, that's the 64,000 dollar question. One that is quite easy to answer and achieve. In spite of how debilitating choking in golf is and excessive nerves might be.

There are specific mental processes you can apply that literally transform your experiences in golf, and life. When you understand these processes you will NEVER look at pressure the same way again and choking in golf will remain a distant memory.

Learn more about the Minding Your Game Training Program Package.

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