Calming your nerves

[Danimal]

I have not played in a lot of competitive rounds, but I was very nervous and had super negative thoughts rolling around in my head. Chalked it up to a learning experience and have learned to accept the nerves and breathe. It seems to have helped.

 

[Snickerdog]

Lots of good thoughts about calming oneself. Thanks for taking the time to reply and hopefully it will help myself and others.

 

[rlefig]

I've learned to accept that first tee jitters in a competitive round are normal and I embrace them. I also almost always hit 3 wood because it has proven to be a fairway finder even under pressure.

I was just thinking of doing the same thing all the time. At 52 maybe its time to start playing smarter golf

 

[Drumdog]

When the nerves start creeping in, I take really hard practice swing well away from the ball. I mean a 150% swing. That seems to expel the nerves for me.
I then take a deep breath and then start my normal pre-shot routine.