Embracing The Pressure
Monday, May 24, 2010 at 11:24AM 
So many factors attribute to a good golf game. There are the mechanics, the decision making, and of course, the poise, just to name a few. To reach an elite golfing status, all must eventually be tuned to perfection.
Personally speaking, the mechanics are never a problem. Each of my range visits consist of repetitive swings with a particular club, working out any flaws in the motion. As for the other two, only the challenges of a given course can provide me with the ability to know whether I'll make a good decision, or that I'll have the composure to think clearly.
Nevertheless, even a leisurely afternoon, on a challenging course with a few friends has the potential to mask the true beast that swallows us all in the heat of the moment—the pressure.
When I created this blog I did so to allow the extrinsic motivation to be my driving force, constantly pushing me to excel in this wonderful game I love so dearly. Now, close to a full year later, as my readership continues to grow, so too do the expectations I place upon myself.
Each time I tee it up, no matter how much confidence has developed within me, somewhere in the back of my mind is a thought that looms, "You'll have to report this round." But it isn't this concern that worries me the most.
This Sunday I had the honor and privilege of playing alongside seven great friends for 27 holes. There were four teams of two, and each nine holes we switched opponents allowing every team to face all three. We chose best ball as our format, which meant you had the freedom to know that if a duff reared its ugly head, at least you had your partner to back you up. (Best ball means that each team hits one shot from the tee, chooses the best hit, then repeats the process from there. The one caveat for us was that on a par four, teams had to use two shots from each player, as well as on a par five. On a par three it was two and one.)
So in essence, with best ball in play, pressure might seem tamable.
Well, not in my head.
Knowing some of my friends (hopefully on occasion) read my aspirations for golf, the pressure to show them my practice was actually paying off took over my thought process beforehand.
I combated this thinking by simply allowing my thoughts to float by, giving no credence to any one in particular. Sure enough, however, as I'm partaking in my pre-round ritual of pitching and putting, three friends arrive and one greets me with a sarcastic reference to my recent play. Here comes the doubt and expectations bellowing up in my mind, "You must back up all the hard work you've been putting in!" (Deep gulp.)
Then a light went off. To master the game of golf, you must be opportunistic. Here was a moment that presented itself for me to learn from. When I'm on the range, or even out for a round, the pressure to play well isn't usually part of the equation.
Now it was. At least sort of.
With this in mind, I embraced the heaviness that was mounting, accepted it as part of the process, and insisted on gaining perspective from it. In addition, I reminded myself to trust the hard work I've been devoted to, and stay present when presented with every shot. (Don't think ahead or behind; don't harp on a bad putt only to have it affect the next shot; don't think about a potential birdie after nailing a drive dead center of the fairway; don't decide to go for an impossible shot when a punch out is the best play.)
Because of the format we played, I can't report a score or whether I hit any greens in regulation. Overall, though, I felt good about my game. My driver had some great moments, and really only failed me once or twice. My putting was probably the best aspect of my game, offering itself with well struck lag putts and consistent eight-to-ten foot bottom-of-the-cup ones.
In hindsight, my 6-iron and 7-iron need some work, along with my 3-iron and 4-iron. Even though my driver was solid, a little extra work with it never hurt anyone's game. And as for my mental state of mind?
This Sunday provided me with a glimpse into what's needed to overcome anxiety on the course. Although the friends I played with would never give me a hard time (at least most of them, and you know who you are), I wanted to play well just because.
After it was all said and done, the time spent catching up with guys I don't get to see much meant more to me than any 6-iron I struggled with or putt I nailed. (Except maybe a 60-yard pitch that hit the pin.) Which is why golf is so special. As we all age, and surround ourselves with responsibilities more pressing than golf, we sometimes forget about the world not immediately circling us.
For 27 holes I was reminded of how special the seven guys I had the opportunity to play with really are. Thanks for the memories, fellows.
And thanks for helping me work on handling the pressure!
Hours of practice: 411
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Reader Comments (3)
That's great. It's always good to hear the inspiring stories like that one, they help you get through the tough/frustrating times.
As with everything in life, our self-induced psychological pressure can become a paralyzing impediment if left unchecked. I appreciate your insight, and the way you were able to ostensibly overcome this constraint and fund your centeredness.
It's true, playing golf can be frustrating at times. You should be determined to learn despite the pressure.
Cody Wheeler
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