[MicoSiru]

I just saw a pop-up advert featuring a Golf Digest cover page entitled "Fearless Golf". A book has been out for a while called Fearless Golf. This all presupposes the notion that there is something called fearful golf.

Do you play fearful golf? Are you as nervous as a 16 year old in a Cat House when you play? If so, what do you do to counteract the fear?

When I get nervous I breathe, trust my swing to the best of my ability, and tell myself it's only a golf shot.

What do you all do...assuming you get nervous?

[!!Aaroncheg]

Routine, routine, routine. This is a great way to minimize nervousness.

To make it effective you must do EXACTLY the same things EVERY time. At some point in your preparation, as you start to set up to your shot, follow the same steps, using the same amount of time, every time. Same number of practice swings, steps up to the ball, looks at the target, waggles, etc.

It's like autopilot for the golf swing. Once you have decided on the shot, stop thinking and react. If you have doubts, start over.

[MicoSiru]

Routine, routine, routine. This is a great way to minimize nervousness.

To make it effective you must do EXACTLY the same things EVERY time. At some point in your preparation, as you start to set up to your shot, follow the same steps, using the same amount of time, every time. Same number of practice swings, steps up to the ball, looks at the target, waggles, etc.

It's like autopilot for the golf swing. Once you have decided on the shot, stop thinking and react. If you have doubts, start over.

Good point. I have one and count on it. The one for my putting took a full day to develop until I felt comfortable with it. However, thoughts still have a tendency to intrude into our heads. You know, those little gremlins of doubt that like to wreak havoc on us?

[67Irralphaisa]

Routine, routine, routine. This is a great way to minimize nervousness.

To make it effective you must do EXACTLY the same things EVERY time. At some point in your preparation, as you start to set up to your shot, follow the same steps, using the same amount of time, every time. Same number of practice swings, steps up to the ball, looks at the target, waggles, etc.

It's like autopilot for the golf swing. Once you have decided on the shot, stop thinking and react. If you have doubts, start over.

Pretty much what I do. I have the same thoughts and play the same whether it is with the wife on Sunday evening, Saturday skins or the club championship. I don't do anything differently.

[JohnTruels]

Well, I typically have some courage juice, aka, an adult beverage. When you drink enough courage juice, you will definitely hit shots that you were 'too afraid' to hit before.

Or, since I'm not drinking the majority of the time I play golf, it is all about routine. I will also say that sometimes when I'm a little nervous about any given shot, I'll step back, get behind the ball, close my eyes for a few seconds and just empty my head. Then I open them and the first thing pouring back into my head is the fairway out in front of me, and I can see my ball flight. Then I step up and hit the ball.

[onlineslotetes]

I keep it simple and relatively quick. I'll take a few practices swings with purpose to get the feeling I'm looking for and then step up and play the shot.

[CoallyPax]

I don't ever play fearful golf. I'm just the opposite, actually. I never get nervous over a shot. I don't know why, maybe because it is just golf and nothing is on the line. I'm sure if I played in a big amateur tournament or something I would get nervous, but I don't plan to do that any time soon.

[iH1wMOhE]

I don't ever play fearful golf. I'm just the opposite, actually. I never get nervous over a shot. I don't know why, maybe because it is just golf and nothing is on the line. I'm sure if I played in a big amateur tournament or something I would get nervous, but I don't plan to do that any time soon.

Me too. If I'm just playing with buddies why get nervous? We don't play for money that's for sure. Ultimately if i'm within 275 yards of reaching a par 5 I'm going for it even if its driver off the deck and there's water in front. What do I have to lose besides a ball?

But I could understand if I'm playing in a meaningful tournament or something similar, yeah I could see how that might creep into my head.

[herrdwq]

Just try to be confident with your swing and your overall nervousness will cut down. That's what I do, I myself that my swing is just fine and I can hit any shot I want to. That makes me feel a lot less nervous when golfing, especially in tournaments.

[hotelhyatt]

Build a 8 shot lead with 3 to go and there are no nervous shots.

[XangadsX]

Hello, my name is fossil123 and I am a nervous golfer (group responds, "Hello fossil123).

Normally it takes about 1-2 holes before my nerves settle down each and every time I play and even after that, I still get nervous with shots over or around water. I guess it boils down to my desire to play well (relatively speaking) and the thought that "this one shot" could lead to a downward spiral that destroys my score. I haven't found that confidence in my play yet.

Oh, and if my group gets paired with a stranger, forget about it. It takes the first 9 holes for me to settle down. lol.

It is definitely something I need to work on and I am getting better but there is still a long way to go.

[Galvanoidum]

Build a 8 shot lead with 3 to go and there are no nervous shots.

BOOM BABY!