Relax for Winning Golf

Competition elicits a mix of excitement and anxiety which heightens the body's responsiveness to perform. Recognizing and accepting the sensations which accompany excitement and anxiety allows competitors the freedom to maintain confidence while playing in pressure situations. Stress has its benefits in golf competition. It can help you to succeed by motivating you to push yourself harder, however anxiety that is uncontrolled can get in the way, inhibiting the automated smooth flowing coordination of the golf swing, interfering with the ability to concentrate and focus and impeding your ability to perform at your best.



Successful competitors must learn to be in the drivers seat when it comes to anxiety. There are a number of skills that can help golfers manage the demands of competition on the golf course. An easily learned yet useful relaxation technique. Learning and using relaxation skills will give you the ability to identify and control anxieties' detrimental effects. Learning to utilize relaxation techniques which elicit the "relaxation response" is beneficial for golfers wanting to perform their best and enjoy their game. The learned response to the fight or flight response will be the relaxation response. It occurs when the body no longer perceives danger, and the autonomic nervous systems functioning returns to normal -- unwanted muscular tension decreases and the mind calms toward a desired focus.



Over coming the negative effects of golf anxiety takes place by first learning progressive muscle relaxation and then cue controlled muscle relaxation. PGA Master Professional Dave Cahill has taught and witnessed many players improving their scores simply by learning to relax. Rapid relaxation triggers the relaxation response quickly (30 seconds) so it can be applied effectively anywhere, anytime during a round of golf. Dave suggests golfers follow stress reduction methods and strategies outlined in The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook. Step-by-step techniques, based upon the most recent research, are detailed in the easy to read book. Having benefited from Applied Relaxation Training himself Dave frequently advocates the training for students who compete in high pressure situations. Dave notes that students who have learned rapid relaxation methods quickly improve both their skills and their enjoyment of the game.. In addition to the benefits of an improved golf game learning these relaxation techniques have benifted players in other parts of their lives too. These relaxation techniques can be learned in a matter of weeks but will show initial bebefits immediately.





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Author Michael Cahill and PGA Master Professional Dave Cahill teach California golf schools at Cimarron Golf Resort, Palm Springs California and their Minnesota golf schools at The Classic at Maddens. Read all of the game improving articles at http://www.cahillgolf.com