I have to the get that first tee shot on the fairway. As long as I don’t shank it, gotta keep my head down. My flight partners are so much better then I am, I’m never going to score today. Why did I sign up anyway for this competition? I couldn’t sleep last night either. Okay, I have to focus on my swing path now. thank god there aren’t many more people watching. I don’t understand how everyone stays so calm. Maybe try to focus on that swing drill just now, I totally don’t remember anymore how my good swing felt like. Honestly, I feel so scared to hit the ball right now. Why are they making so much noice? I can’t concentrate. I felt relaxed all the time on the range practicing and now I am a complete mess of stress .....
These might be familiar thought patterns, because they are for many competitive golfers.
This was definitely familiar too me when I used to play competitively.
And so as competitions are returning I received quite a few messages lately on how to deal with that extra pressure.
This is an issue that can be solved in 2 different ways:
1. How is your mindset going into the competition, what are your beliefs around your own performance ? = mindset 2. What can you implement and do to fix this issue, what practical solutions can you put into place? = practical
So, one way to look at it from the mindset perspective is to ask yourself this: What do I need to be able to perform to my full ability? Because playing to your full capacity isn’t just a luxury, it’s an essential necessity.
If you aren’t performing at your full capacity, your body suffers. Your swing suffers. It’s about the golfer you can be on the course, not on the range. The time invested in training isn’t a return in investment.
Here are my top 3 practical on-course solutions that you can implement right away:
1. Breathing: Take a full long deep breath in and exhale fully out before each shot 2. Feeling: focus on the sun on your skin, or the wind blowing through your hair, your feet touching the grass at every step 3. And the most awesome one: Tension Release. Build up incredible strong body awareness so that you stop the build up of tension long before it happens. And so that the pure powerful effortless energy in your body can take over resulting in more joy and greater performances.
How have you managed your “I’m ready for competition” ? I’m curious.
And remember, it's okay if you experience that after the first rounds of golf you already encounter a tightness in your body or frustration in your game because I know that are you motivated to do things differently even though you are not sure how. Even if you have little knowledge about golf fitness, or have even tried it without success, I am here for you as your mentor. I received a lot of questions but there will be no more workshops or retreats this year. So the only way to get started with me immediately as your coach, is through my 1:1 remote coaching.
During my coaching I help you to develop a resilient mindset in a super strong body and improve the movement patterns needed for an effortless golfswing that will produce a powerful game, without feeling ever depleted or down again. I coach what is needed for YOUR unique situation and guide you through the best most applicable and practical way HOW to apply. I get golfers back in balance. And to be able to be fully confident, calm and relaxed during your round, even if you are stretching yourself for a lower handicap. How does this sound?
Spots for my remote coaching program have filled up super quickly but I opened up a few more. You are very welcome to schedule a call with me, send me an email or let's chat to see whether this program suits you.
Liesbeth Pauwels
B. Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
Titleist Performance Institute certified
Registered Yoga Teacher