| You must have heard about golfers choking in | | | | guidelines: |
| pressure situations? What exactly is choking? | | | | 1. Focus on the target, not on what bad things can |
| It is hitting a bad shot after you allow anger, anxiety, | | | | happen. Imagine that you are on the course with |
| doubt or fear to enter your mind. Whatever you are | | | | your friends and you have a bet as to who can hit |
| thinking of or whatever you say to yourself just | | | | the fairway or green. |
| before hitting a shot becomes a self-fulfilling | | | | 2. Take a few deep breaths. Relax your neck, arms, |
| prophecy. | | | | shoulders, and hands so that you are not tense in |
| Your brain will guide your muscles and your golf club | | | | any way. Pay attention to your jaw and teeth. Do |
| to strange-looking swings, if you allow it. If you are | | | | not clench or grind your teeth because this will lead |
| distracted by negative thoughts, you won't swing the | | | | to tension everywhere else in your body. |
| club the way you normally could because your | | | | 3. Do not worry about the results of the shot before |
| muscles will become tense and almost non-functional. | | | | you hit it. Just concentrate on making a smooth |
| However, you must understand that being a little | | | | swing, just as you would on the driving range with |
| nervous in the stomach area is normal for all great | | | | nobody else around. |
| players. Being nervous, having shaky hands or a | | | | 4. As a final point, if you miss a putt or another shot |
| pounding heart is a good sign, because it means you | | | | even though your thoughts were filled with good |
| are eager to compete. | | | | intentions, just accept it as part of the game and do |
| But, you must separate your brain from your body. | | | | not dwell on it. Do not beat yourself up. Enjoy the |
| Your body can be nervous, but your mind must | | | | game and try and forget about the shots you |
| remain calm. This is possible if you follow these | | | | missed. |