Relaxation Strategies to Help You Mentally Prepare
It’s not enough to train hard, practice regularly and master technique…
Success in golf requires mental mastery.
Golfers spend a vast amount of time and energy looking for ways to improve their performance but they neglect the mental skills that impact performance the most.
When these golfer face the pressure of competition, they tend to melt down and never reach their full potential.
Golf is a sport greatly influenced by mental factors as 30 year-old Swiss professional golfer Fabienne In-Albon knows all too well. In-Albon started her golf career when she was ten and, by the age of 15, In-Albon knew that she wanted to be a professional golfer.
In-Albon attended the Swiss Olympic Sports School in her teen years and experienced a lot of success including eight Swiss Champion titles.
After high school, In-Albon received a full scholarship where she struggled to improve her game and left school after a year. When In-Albon returned to Switzerland, back injuries halted her play for two years.
In-Albon slowly started getting back into the game again and turned Pro in 2012. In 2013, In-Albon won her first tournament as a Professional and eventually received her full card for the Ladies European Tour. In 2016, In-Albon realized a lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics.
Despite her accomplishments, In-Albon still felt tremendous nerves at the Rio Olympic Games.
IN-ALBON: “At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio when I walked to the first tee on the first day of competition, I was very nervous, I felt sick, and I wasn’t quite sure how I would be able to hit this first tee shot as my entire body was shaking from all the nerves.”
“I was [finally] standing there, just about to tee off, and the emotions that went through my body in that moment were overwhelming. I had to find a way of calming myself down and making sure that I could hit a good first tee shot.”
Fortunately, In-Albon was prepared for this moment. You see, In-Albon not only practiced swinging her clubs, she mentally prepared for big moments by training to calm herself. In-Albon used relaxation strategies to combat her nerves and improve her focus.
IN-ALBON: “Suddenly I was completely in the NOW and it was just myself, my ball and the fairway. No spectators, no cameras, no TV, nothing — just me, myself and I. I was totally in my zone and that’s how I hit one of the best shots in my life.”
You have probably experienced the same kind of anxiety on the golf course. In fact, you know that your nerves are going to kick in at some point during a round. Trying not to think about being nervous is not an effective strategy.
Imagine how confident you would play if you knew how to counter pre-round nerves!
Mastering the mind requires training and that training will pay off when you need it most.
Tips For Preparing For The Big Moment
The big moment implies there will be greater stress. It is critical to learn how to combat this stress so you stay in charge of your golf game.
Controlling your breathing is an effective way of relaxing your body and mind. Try adding deep breathing as part of your preshot routine. Focus on the feeling of air filling your lungs as you inhale, then emptying your lungs as you exhale. Take slow, controlled and focused breaths.
If you master your mind, the big moment will never be too big for you.
Golfer’s Mental Edge
What’s the big sign that your mental game is the weak link in your golf game? When you can’t play consistently as well as when you play a practice or casual round–or your range game is way better than your game on the course. If you suffer from lack of focus, low self-confidence, poor composure or other mental game obstacles on the course, you can’t reach your true potential in golf.
The Golfer’s Mental Edge 2.0 Audio and Workbook program is ideal for any amateur, collegiate, junior, and tour professional golfer.
Golf coaches and instructors would also be wise to teach “The Golfer’s Mental Edge 2.0” principles to their players. This program is perfect for any golfer who wants to improve performance and consistency by managing their mind better on the course.