The short game requires the highest use of fine motor skills. This is why some players may struggle. Precision is essential (touch, contact and face control, etc. The mental state of a player is an important factor.
You won’t be able access your best physical abilities, regardless of how great they may be, if you lack confidence, focus, and commitment in your short game shots.
Understanding how Fear Affects Short Game Confidence
Short game confidence is a problem that causes players to feel more fear and pressure. Understanding how it affects the execution of short game shots is the first step in getting better. It is common for a player to have a great short game in practice, but it vanishes on the course. Fear is the reason.
Fear can cause you to focus on the possible outcomes, instead of what you want. Focusing on negative outcomes, such as poor contact (hitting thin shots or hitting fat shots), and what your playing partners will do to you, distracts from the important things. Fear can lead to physical changes such as an increase in heart rate or muscle tension.
These mental and physical changes can cause the intention to shoot to be lost, the body and mind are not relaxed, and the message being sent to the muscles is unclear. Let’s look at some ways to reduce fear and increase short-term confidence.
1. The Goal can be summarized in a short game process
We are striving to achieve the things we can control. Not results. Clear goals are needed for what you will pay attention to before, during, and after each shot. The success of the program is not about the outcome but rather the achievement of those goals.
How do you hit a great shot? You should list 3-4 things you will do before, after, and during every game shot. This question should not change from shot-to-shot. Essentially, the process you use for your short game during a round will remain the same. You can find my mental scorecard at the end of this article.
2. The Short Game: Controlling Nerves
Your nervous system is “high alert” when your heart rate rises. Your brain is moving energy away from your muscles towards your brain, which is why focusing can be difficult and you may have difficulty putting together short games. While following the steps will reduce arousal, there will still be times when your heart rate (or “arousal” level) goes up. It is important to practice the skills of arousal control, and being able control your heart rate.
3. You can see yourself as having short-term confidence
Can you imagine yourself winning a few game shots if you close your eyes. If you don’t believe you can do it, it will be difficult to make it happen. Visualization for golf exercises: Close your eyes and visualize yourself hitting a variety of short shots under pressure in tournaments. You can see it if you can. This will help you increase your self-belief.
4. Concentrate on the Short Game
If you’re practicing short game, your focus will be more on “external” things and the intention of the shot (i.e. The look and feel of the shot. Fear of making a poor swing or getting a negative result on the golf course can cause a shift in focus from the swing to the “internal”. They believe that if they just do the right movement, they will avoid the negative outcomes they fear. This approach rarely works.
Studies have shown that in short game and putting, players focus more on the intended shot (external focus) than their body. After the shot is decided, the rest must be external and athletic and not internal and instructional.
5. Post Shot Routine
Post shot routines are often overlooked. A player who doesn’t know how to post-shoot properly or isn’t aware of it will keep the bad shot/experience in their mind and not be able move on. This can affect their confidence and belief in their short game. You must be aware of the bad shots you will hit, as all pros do.
6. Being Present
This is a good example of how a player can be unable to accept the feeling of missing a shot. If they do not feel able, they may ruminate about it between shots. This can lead to lower mood and worse performance. A key element to a player’s success is being able and able be present and aware what you are paying attention to between shots (ideally, what you feel rather than what your thoughts are).
7. Short game practice under pressure
It is a good idea to practice under pressure in order to improve your ability to deal with the pressure on the course. You can practice these strategies by creating a practice environment that makes you nervous and increases your arousal.
Dreamstime.com
Instruction For The Mental Game of Golf published 7 Keys to Short Game Confidence first.
By: David MacKenzie
Title: 7 Keys To Short Game Confidence
Sourced From: golfstateofmind.com/7-keys-to-short-game-confidence/
Published Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2022 14:54:09 +0000
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