Nerves and Fear

[Patrick57]

Nerves and fear used to suffocate my enjoyment of the game and I have been able to improve these demoralising tendencies with a very simple remedy.

I decided to at least become more aware of these feelings and I would rate my fear or nervousness levels after each shot on a scale from 1 to 5. My simple task was to be more aware of these feelings and by giving a mark for them my commitment to this task was more refined.

And like magic, using this method my levels dropped to level 1 and remained there. I now play the game in a state of grace and rarely get nervous or fearful during any shot.

I am not working on playing the game without emotion using the same method. In the future, I want to be known as the 'Iceman' like Borg in tennis or Hogan in golf.

 

[Crow]

Surley emotion is part of the thrill of the game, be it fear, dread, terror, shaking like a leaf, or even enjoyment on occasion.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I like that feeling in my stomach coming down the last few holes of a medal or honours board event when I'm playing well and know I'm in contention. It's fun learning how to deal with this and I wouldn't want to take that feeling away.

 

[Patrick57]

Surley emotion is part of the thrill of the game, be it fear, dread, terror, shaking like a leaf, or even enjoyment on occasion.

There is a formula that enhances performance for everything in life, be that school, work, sport or relationships etc...

(enjoyment/fascination/interest) + (learning/practice) = enhanced performance

I don't really see where fear, dread, terror or shaking like a leaf fit into this formula.

 

[Qwerty]

Surley emotion is part of the thrill of the game, be it fear, dread, terror, shaking like a leaf, or even enjoyment on occasion.

Definately Crow, it is part of the thrill of the game, and I think without it I wouldn't get as much out of the game as I do.

But it would be good if I could manage it so it didn't affect my performance. At the moment I don't think I'm quite there.

 

[Patrick57]

I like that feeling in my stomach coming down the last few holes of a medal or honours board event when I'm playing well and know I'm in contention. It's fun learning how to deal with this and I wouldn't want to take that feeling away.

I understand what you mean but I prefer the days when I just know I am going to play those last holes well - and do - and have a feeling that my heart is swelling with confidence.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I usually finish strong despite some tough holes coming in. A fear of failure, the ferocity of the 19th hole banter, a desire to get cut and sheer bloody mindedness are all great stimulants to close the deal

 

[Patrick57]

I usually finish strong despite some tough holes coming in. A fear of failure, the ferocity of the 19th hole banter, a desire to get cut and sheer bloody mindedness are all great stimulants to close the deal

You suggest that a fear of failure helps you to perform better and I am arguing that fear more often hinders performance. Which one do you think would help aquire more positive results?

 

[One Planer]

What is this nervousness and fear you speak of???

Golf is my hobby, not my job.

If you feel fear from a hobby then, IMO, somethings wrong.

When I have to make a living from golf then ill understand fear and nerves. Until then.........

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I usually finish strong despite some tough holes coming in. A fear of failure, the ferocity of the 19th hole banter, a desire to get cut and sheer bloody mindedness are all great stimulants to close the deal

You suggest that a fear of failure helps you to perform better and I am arguing that fear more often hinders performance. Which one would you think would aquire the more positive results?

OK not quite a fear of failure, more a fear of losing a good opportunity to win and get cut. To be honest form is transient and so I don't get scared when I'm in a good position. I do fear losing a rare chance to win. I use it as a positive thing and channel it to stay focussed, stay in the moment and take it one shot at a time. It starts at 16 where there is OOB tight left (my pressure fault is a snap hook) and then try and plot a course from where that tee shot finishes.

 

[Patrick57]

What is this nervousness and fear you speak of???

Golf is my hobby, not my job.

If you feel fear from a hobby then, IMO, somethings wrong.

When I have to make a living from golf then ill understand fear and nerves. Until then.........

You're already an 'Iceman'. I haven't met many on the golf course when I've played.

 

[RGDave]

I spent years coming to terms with fear and anxiety. It took quite a leap of faith to get myself into the right frame of mind to deal with it.

(We're not talking golf by the way).

I can honestly say that although I rarely get nervous these days, my best performances have come under pressure when I accept the nerves, trust myself and go with the emotion, even if it's adrenaline fuelled. Sometimes you need the boost to your muscles and brain.

As was talking just the other day to an Amateur (but good) tennis player. There is a difference between staying calm under pressure and flat-lining your emotions and still expecting to perform.

I was offered a beta blocker once before a televised show, I turned it down. (Don't ask). 17,000,000 people will get the nerves jangling, but I got through it. Accept it, control it and use it.

 

[Patrick57]

OK not quite a fear of failure, more a fear of losing a good opportunity to win and get cut. To be honest form is transient and so I don't get scared when I'm in a good position. I do fear losing a rare chance to win. I use it as a positive thing and channel it to stay focussed, stay in the moment and take it one shot at a time. It starts at 16 where there is OOB tight left (my pressure fault is a snap hook) and then try and plot a course from where that tee shot finishes.

But surely supressing fear would be paramount to improving performance. I can beat the guy in my flight who displays negative symptoms but the cool confident golfer is hard to topple.

 

[Patrick57]

There is a difference between staying calm under pressure and flat-lining your emotions and still expecting to perform.

So I'm getting it wrong! I should return to my anxious ways and this will be better for my performance. BTW, no one was better at flat lining his emotions than Borg and IMO he performed to the highest of the highest level.

 

[theWOAT]

If people are drinking outside by the opening tee, or theres a huge line up of people waiting to tee off behind, I can find some nerves as I'm thinking I don't want to hold this lot up, despite the fact no one ever moans, even when I've taken my full 5 minutes to look for a ball behind. Used to be more common, now I'm not too bad with it, if I find any nerves kicking in, I just slow my game down a bit, I'm willing to take an extra shot or two if I have too rather than shank it.

 

[RGDave]

So I'm getting it wrong! I should return to my anxious ways and this will be better for my performance. BTW, no one was better at flat lining his emotions than Borg and IMO he performed to the highest of the highest level.

Each to their own Patrick.

I never said that. If you are able to flat-line, you go for it.

 

[Patrick57]

Each to their own Patrick.

I never said that. If you are able to flat-line, you go for it.

So why did you make this comment...

"There is a difference between staying calm under pressure and flat-lining your emotions and still expecting to perform."

Thus suggesting that playing without emotion would hinder your ability to perform.

 

[JustOne]

I don't get nervous when I'm playing well... it's the whole point of being there.

I recall being under par and thinking to myself that Westwood would probably go on to make another couple of birdies, that feeling has stayed with me ever since. I consider it normal to play well and important to play each shot/hole as it comes regardless of how I'm doing.

Dealing with the annoyance of playing poorly is a different matter as is getting a bad/unplayable lie 5 times in one round... but there will be better rounds.

Having a putt to win is the whole point of playing, whether that comes on the 12th or 18th is of no consequence.

 

[jdchelsea]

I

I recall being under par and thinking to myself that Westwood would probably go on to make another couple of birdies, that feeling has stayed with me ever since.

I like this line of thought. Concentrate on the positive rather than the negative. Instead of "I'm playing well don't mess it up" use the idea of "I'm playing well so anything's possible and because I'm playing well I don't fear mistakes because I know I can recover from them and will enjoy that challenge"

Bit like being on a roller coaster, it gets nervy at times but that's half the fun!!

 

[fundy]

At the end of the day you are talking about adrenaline, and whether this is good, bad or sometimes indifferent for you. Sometimes you need it to get you going, sometimes you need to reduce it to keep you grounded, very tough to have it at the right level in every circumstance and invariably feels like a battle I lose too often