Grayden correctly points out that if you don’t care then it’s possible.
But (there’s always a but).
It’s my experience not many can play without caring. I can only think of one golfer who is able to do it consistently. He plays for fun and doesn’t care what scores he shoots. His scores are inconsistent but it doesn’t matter – he has a ball and it’s an experience to play with him.
For everyone else you’ll need a strategy. When the scorecard is in your pocket and there’s eyeballs staring you down, you need a coping mechanism.
Breathing and relaxing helps. So does having a clear goal with each shot.
But nothing calms the mind and eradicates the fear like acceptance.
Accept that the fear/self-doubt/nerves are normal. Then keep playing. When you can mentally accept the odd bad shot and realise it’s not the end of the world, fear will have very little control on you. When you can truly accept that it’s just a silly game and nothing bad can happen then maybe you’ll reach a level where you can “care without caring”.
4 Comments
Tony Lucas
March 3, 2015I love that “care without caring” sums it up in a nutshell
Cheers Lukey
Grayden Provis
March 5, 2015“His scores are inconsistent…”
And the guy who cares?
Cameron
March 6, 2015He is inconsistent mostly because he plays flat out. There’s no lay up with this guy. Goes for every pin and smashes driver from each tee. He just doesn’t care for score.
Grayden Provis
March 7, 2015It is definitely possible to play without fear and still play well. How? By staying in the present. Fear is always to do with what might happen in the future. Next time you feel anxiety on the golf course – even just a bit – notice where your mind is. I guarantee it will be thinking about something that hasn’t happened yet.
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