Juniors Only

Identify Your Tendencies

 Every player with whom I’ve worked – from junior players through PGA and LPGA players- has found themselves in golf-related situations in which they felt fearful. For some it involves situations where there is a large crowd. For others it is certain types of shots or hole configurations that bring on stress or fear. Still others are most fearful when the consequences of their round is “big” in their minds- such as when a college coach is watching, when attempting to qualify for a U.S. Open, or during Q-School.

One thing that I’ve found helps players is for them to recognize their tendencies when they find themselves under “pressure” or in situations in which they think fearfully. Basically there are two major tendencies- Which one is most true for you?

Tendency #1 is to become tentative, overly conservative, and/or indecisive. This tendency regularly leads to players attempting to guide the ball, or steer their swing- often with less than favorable results. For this type of player, it is important that they permit themselves to stick to the game plan and make sure that they are fully committed to “going after” after each shot that they hit. This, of course, doesn’t mean to swing as hard as you can, but rather to make sure that once a decision is made, that there isn’t a change in thought or intention while standing over the ball or in mid-swing or mid-stroke.

Tendency #2 is the inclination to “try too hard. This type of player will lose their poise, attempt to force shots, and take on too much. With this tendency, I’ll see a player go off of their game plan to hit to the middle of a green by pin-seeking, or watch a game plan change from 3 wood off the tee to driver- because he/she feels like they have to make up for something that they’ve done wrong or because they simply forget to adhere to their previously determined game plan and course strategy.

Lesser players either do not recognize their tendencies thus they make no adjustment, and/or they allow the situation that they are in to affect their internal environment. Better players adjust their internal environment so that it affects the situation.

Overall, if you become more aware of your tendencies, then you will take in the information on any given shot, make an adjustment to get back to a quality decision, and then create a more optimal internal environment from which to play. This will give you a greater chance to play with assertiveness, with wisdom, and with confidence!

Jeff Troesch's biography and past articles