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Choking in Golf

Choking in golf refers to the physical tension that arises from mental states like negative thinking and fear during competition. To prevent choking, golfers must control their negative self-talk and replace it with positive thoughts. They can also warm up thoroughly to keep muscles relaxed. When choking starts, golfers should relax their tense body through movements like shaking out limbs, deep breathing, and contracting and releasing muscles. They should also simplify their strategy by aiming at safer targets. Ultimately, golfers must accept outcomes and focus only on giving their full effort in each shot or putt.

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378 views1 page

Choking in Golf

Choking in golf refers to the physical tension that arises from mental states like negative thinking and fear during competition. To prevent choking, golfers must control their negative self-talk and replace it with positive thoughts. They can also warm up thoroughly to keep muscles relaxed. When choking starts, golfers should relax their tense body through movements like shaking out limbs, deep breathing, and contracting and releasing muscles. They should also simplify their strategy by aiming at safer targets. Ultimately, golfers must accept outcomes and focus only on giving their full effort in each shot or putt.

Uploaded by

Darren
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Keywords: choking in golf pressure, choking in golf golfers

Choking In Golf

"I guess I must have choked"


Bert Yancey after his final round in the 1968 U.S Open
You may not know the expression choking in golf but if you've been playing golf for any amount of
time you know about tension.
Choking in golf is a physical response to the mental state you are in as you compete in your golf
game.
So what mental states cause's this tension and how does this mind-body connection work?
Tip: It is the opposite of peak state
1. Prevention
Choking can originate from negative thinking (self-talk) and fear. In order to counter these, you need
to control your thoughts. You need to become aware of your thinking and counter all the negative
thoughts with positive ones. This process is not easy and is like a battle in your mind. Those negative
thoughts can keep appearing, so keep battling them by replacing the thought with a positive image.
* Many players develop a habit of encouraging themselves in order to keep negative
thoughts from appearing in the first place.
* One more way to prevent tension before the match: warm up well.
When your muscles are warmed up to the point at which you are sweating, they will be elastic and
unlikely to become tense even if your mind keeps signaling the fight or flight response to them.
2. Choking Symptoms
Every golfer who has played competitively has experienced choking and, once this tension starts
affecting your body, you can't do much by dealing with your thoughts the way you did in point #1
above.
To be more effective in these situations work with your body.
Your body is in a state of tension and your goal is to release this tension and become more relaxed.
You can learn to relax in the most natural way . Just shake your arms and legs and try to loosen them
up. Another way to relax is to contract your muscles as hard as you can for a few seconds, and then
let go.
Take deep breaths as choking also affects your breathing, which tends to become shallow.
You can also adjust your strategy!
When choking you need to play safe golf, aim to safe targets away from the pins. Play high
percentage golf until your body becomes more relaxed and your movements more fluid.
3. Acceptance
The only thing you can control in golf is yourself and the only way to control yourself is to stay in the
present moment. The best approach to competing at any level is to give 100 percent effort and then
accept the outcome.
Trying to imagine outcomes or getting ahead of yourself will cause you to choke e.g thinking about
your acceptance speech is getting way too far ahead of yourself.
Remember you are the only person you have to beat and the rest is about accepting the results.
The only time to be disappointed in golf is not giving 100 percent effort.

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