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.
Learn Proven Strategies to Perform with Confidence!
Do you suffer from fragile self-confidence after missed hits, playing with strict or high expectations that undermine confidence or the inability to play freely and relaxed on the course?
If you suffer from lack of focus, low self-confidence or other mental game obstacles on the course, you cant reach your true golf potential…
What are mental game customers saying?
“My confidence level has never been higher! I can’t tell you how clearly I was able to think during all four rounds of tour-school. The simple game plan you gave me really focused me. My confidence level has never been higher during a tournament. No matter how much pressure was on, I was able to control my thoughts and execute. Thank you Dr. Cohn!”
~Patricia Baxter-Johnson, LPGA Tour
“To play well, you have to believe you can play well. Confidence goes a long way in golf. Patrick has developed a great system for helping me improve confidence and my overall mental approach to golf.”
~Brian Watts, 11-time Winner on the PGA Japan Tour
Learn Powerful Golf Confidence Strategies!
Learn Powerful Golf Confidence Strategies!What are mental game customers saying?
“Last year at this time, my eldest son Martin fell 3m from a tree and broke both his arms. A little inconvenient for his golf and for his basketball.
I took decided to subscribe to your site and undertake the kids focus program with him to take the opportunity to develop his mental side of sports.
The improvement has been very good and am very proud of how he now prepares, plays, and evaluates his performances as he has shown a great maturity for being ten years old. I am confident these skills will hold him in good stead for the future.”
~Nigel, Sports Parent
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students saying?
“To play well, you have to believe you can play well. Confidence goes a long way in golf. Patrick has developed a great system for helping me improve confidence and my overall mental approach to golf.”
~Brian Watts, 11-time Winner on the PGA Japan Tour
“You helped me with my routine—it’s almost like it has a flow to it—you pull your club and boom you are into it. You should glide through the routine. It’s when you try to make yourself stick to a cadence; the routine feels out of sync. Helping me get into the flow of the routine has been a big help.”
~Joe Durant, PGA Tour winner