Medal nerves??

[Robobum]

Many many posts about nerves and tension during a medal round and certainly if there is a good score on the go.

I know Rotella etc is very popular so many, I'm sure, will have thought about it......for those who have, how do these nerves show themselves??

Fast heart rate? Sweaty palms? Shakes?

and......

Does this lead you to have one consistent problem whilst feeling this tension?

 

[garyinderry]

my nerves show when I start dropping shots willy nilly on the back 9 if im going well !

 

[granters]

I wouldn't say i was nervous but i get a wee buzz on medal day knowing that every shot counts. I enjoy it, probably concentrate more but don't get sweaty palms or angina attacks!

 

[TheClaw]

Many many posts about nerves and tension during a medal round and certainly if there is a good score on the go.

I know Rotella etc is very popular so many, I'm sure, will have thought about it......for those who have, how do these nerves show themselves??

Fast heart rate? Sweaty palms? Shakes?

and......

Does this lead you to have one consistent problem whilst feeling this tension?

I'm not too bad now but when I played less regularly it would be a loss of rythm on shots when I'm nervous, rushing the transition. Also, a loss of clarity in thinking over the ball e.g. Feelings/thoughts that had helped me swing well all week disappeared on the first tee of a medal. Lastly, playing too quickly so I don't 'hold up' my playing partners (like I shouldn't even be playing).

I've recently got to the stage where I'd rather be playing in a comp than a bounce game. Love 'needing' to play well.

 

[Foxholer]

Tentative swing are my symptoms. Hitting at the ball and not finishing, especially with the Driver.

Thoughts tend to be about all the bad thing that might happen or the 'Don't do....' which, surprise surprise, is exactly what tends to happen!

Playing for reasonable cash was an excellent way to 'normalise' these thoughts. Though little will compare to trying to hit a 9-iron over the water at Les Bordes with an entry in Livre D'Or awaiting success!

 

[USER1999]

First tee, I'm often physically shaking, and especially the first putt. Takes me a few holes to settle down. I dont think coffee for breakfast helps, as I only drink it once a week.
In general, I'm a nervous wreck.

 

[Region3]

Mine shows up as not being able to concentrate over a shot. Having thoughts about fatting/thinning it and end up trying to steer the ball.

 

[CMAC]

what about you OP?

 

[Crow]

Tentative swing are my symptoms. Hitting at the ball and not finishing, especially with the Driver.

Thoughts tend to be about all the bad thing that might happen or the 'Don't do....' which, surprise surprise, is exactly what tends to happen!

Mine shows up as not being able to concentrate over a shot. Having thoughts about fatting/thinning it and end up trying to steer the ball.

That's about it for me, and on really bad days should-make-putts can become a test of nerve.

 

[One Planer]

Good question Rob.

My nerves tend to show when I hit a good shot

Find the middle of a fairway, great lie, leaving little more than mid-wedge.

I'll stand over the ball thinking about what 'could' go wrong rather than buckling up and playing my shot, that I'm more than capable of playing.

Purely mental for me.

I was much much better the comp just gone. 35 points on bone hard greens and fairly windy will do me, even if I do only scrape buffer

 

[Andy808]

I used to get nervous when I had a good score on the go but now I don't as I can't seem to get the front nine score going but play the back nine really well. Stupid thing is it's to the same greens, from about the same distance and with the same wind but I just can't string a front nine together for toffee at the moment.

 

[bobmac]

Here's a tip for the first tee nerves.
Imagine the rhythm police are standing watching you.
Knock about 30% of the power off and just swing as smooth as you can to a balanced finish and think to yourself...."watch this elegant swing" Then hold the pose until the ball lands.

Then watch your playing partners try and drive the green and screw themselves into the ground

 

[Slab]

I get messed up far too often on the 1st

My brain can latch onto anything pre-tee off that I cant seem to shake for a couple of holes, might be getting no range warm up, arriving with a couple of mins to spare, shotgun start & I get drawn on one of the more difficult holes! Anything really that I didn't plan/prepare for

Spent time at the weekend trying to really memorize my (no pressure) drive at the range in an effort to take that on the course

 

[Robobum]

I'm not really a nerves sufferer in general and I never get nervous just because it's a medal/ club champs or whatever big comp at my home club

Take that to a comp away from home and my heart is racing out of control on the first tee - although, strangely, that isn't a problem as it will be a full swing. If I haven't calmed those nerves by the time it comes to a 30yd pitch, 10yd chip or a 5ft putt then I really struggle to hit anything with any feel, rhythm or tempo.

An ideal 1st hole for me is one where I can hit rescue off the tee, a full wedge for my 2nd and a putt from 20ft (One that you don't expect to get but is pretty easy to dribble up to tap in range) Hopefully then, by the 2nd tee, I can actually start playing properly

 

[Birchy]

I think the first tee for me is more excitement/anticipation rather than nerves, its never got to a point where ive thought about it too much.

When ive got a good score going i do have a tendency to make odd decisions and play too safe or try and baby shots rather than hit them. I think nerves affect my thought process more than anything and take me off my natural game.

I rarely stand over a shot thinking/worrying about messing it up unless im in a really bad place which i was about 2 weeks back

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The nerves for me aren't related to a medal round but a good score. It doesn't matter if it's a medal or a bounce game and they start to kick in on the 16th tee as it's the toughest drive on the course. It took me a while to learn to deal with it but I have now adopted the attitude on every shot whether it be on the 1st hole or last that whatever will be will be so I just take a few deep breaths to calm myself trust my swing. If it goes OB or in the clag, so be it. Since I have started taking this attitude I've been finishing the round really strongly, even with a good score going.