I play golf and am quite good at it, but choke when people watch me.?

Question

I am no Tiger Woods, but I've been practicing golf for a few years, mainly just for fun, but entered some amateur tournaments this year..I actually do pretty well, but when people sit down and watch me (in the audience during later courses), I choke. I can't concentrate, and I end up putting the ball a bit too left, a bit too right, a bit too short, or a bit too hard. I just can't play in front of people as well as I can when my family is watching or I am alone..I feel like all the pressure is on me and the fact that people stare is cringing to me...how can I overcome this, without quitting?

Answer 1

They are not watching you, they are watching the ball. So concentrate on sending the ball where you want it to go, just like you do in practice.

If you have a pre-shot routine worked out then concentrate on this and make sure you follow it exactly, for every shot.

This will give your mind something else to think about rather than who is watching.

Answer 2

You are simply being distracted by the crowd.  You have to work on getting in the zone mentally where all you focus on is the target and block out the crowd and everything else.

Answer 3

Choking is because you are allowing the outside to distract you.  You have to block out the outside world.  I am not a good golfer, although I love to play, but can relate in another sport.  I used to be a VERY good bowler.  In tournaments I would kick butt, unless my family was there, then I would choke.  If they weren't there, I could make every shot.  With them there, I was throwing it away.

Then someone told me to concentrate more.  Go through a pre-shot routine that did not vary, and do not look at the crowd.  Do not talk to them do not look at them, do not look at the score, just focus on the pins.  I would walk up to the lane, pickup the ball, wipe it off, put rosin in the thumb, take my stance, throw the ball, make my shot and sit down in the same seat.  Then when I went again same routine.  I became a machine during tournaments.  

After a few months of that, I realised that I was winning when my parents where there or not.  So, I just relaxed, played my game, and financed my first two years of college with scholarship money that I had won during those tournaments.

So basically, get a routine down, don't change it, focus in on that, and the crowds disapear.

Answer 4

I have the same problem. Im ok I shot in the high 80's which is down from 2 years ago when i was shooting 100 consistanly. Anyway i found out that concentrating on my routine takes my mind of others. I take 3 good practice swings, if my swing is solid i set up behind the ball and find a spot on the fairway im trying to land it. I step in and and focus on the ball and swing. 9 times outta ten this helps me. Besides if you are the best one out of your friends, you will see them flop more often than you.

Answer 5

First, the better golfers dont care who is watching...  

Playing in tournaments is a whole different monster than just playing on the course.  Every shot is magnified.  If you add people to watch you as well, then even more pressure is put on you to perform well.  There are a couple of things that you can do to overcome this...

1st- Practice more, because the more you practice, the better you get period, and the better you are, the more likely you are to perform when it matters.

2nd-play with people that are better than you, and take the game very seriously.  Even make a bet or two with them, just to keep it so every shot matters.

3rd- Practice hitting shots with music on in the background... This actually works...  It makes you concentrate on the shot and not on what song is playing.

Finally, it just takes time to get used to people watching you and playing in big tournys... The more you play in them, the easier it becomes to play in front of large crowds.  Keep with it, and make sure you practice your short game the most, as this is the most "feel" part of the game, which is the part that seems to go when you feel pressured...

Answer 6

that is common because you loose concentration and you start thinking about people looking. Try to not think their there and you should be fine.

Answer 7

I would tell you to start to play with someone better than you.  Get used to not being the best in your group.  And believe me, those people are watching for a reason, they are not up to your level.  Plus, I have learned in life that what seems really bad to us when we do something stupid.....shank, hook, or whatever is easily acceptable to the spectator.  For instance....in watching a tourney I will see pros hit bad shots all the time, I never think any less of them, everyone does it, even tiger, its part of the game.  

Advice:  Build your concentration level up.  Start this when practicing.  Try to concentrate on the task at hand so much that you forget whats going on around you onthe practice tee or green.  When you go to a tourney watch the pros, they are so into being onthe tee, there is no talking, no looking around, on pure concentration on what they are doing.  I think if you build the skill on the practice tee/green it will follow to the course, like anything in golf...

Good luck

Answer 8

Dealing with a gallery is difficult and it can be the undoing of many pros. Of course, they also have the pressure of the money, but that's another story.

It sounds like you need to work on your concentration. Being able to put all distractions out of your mind, not just the gallery but also hazards, trees, distracting sounds, etc. Focus on nothing but the shot, imagine taking the shot and everything working perfectly before stepping up to the ball.

There is a scene from Bagger Vance that I think of here. It was were Bobby Jones is about to take his shot and everything disappears and he zooms in on the flag. Everything is silent, no people around, just him and the ball and the course. It's Hollywood, but it demonstrates the kind of concentration needed.

Answer 9

You need to play with people of roughly your own ability more in a regular game - say once a week. Then you should play matches with them with a little something on the table.

Play for the cart, or there are many good gambling games.

A nassau is a good start. Play for small stakes so you dont win or lose more than 20 or 30 dollars. This bit of added pressure will toughen you up and you will perfom better when you need to in front of people.

Answer 10

I dont think there is anything you can do to suddenly get over this problem.  Just realize its not uncommon - many folks on the first tee box think everyone is watching them. The truth is that most people arent watching at all.

You need to develop a sort of arrogance - say to yourself that most people who might be watching cant do any better. Then focus on the task at hand to the exclusion of all else and this is where the pre-shot routine helps tremendously. Take just a bit more time than normal and slow things down so you dont skip any steps.

Answer 11

Most choked putts happen as a result of being too tense in the hands and where they connect with the nerves and senses...that space between the ears...the other posters are correct in advising you to get a pre shot routine, having one gets you calm , relaxed , and confident before that stroke.   You need to get in money games with guys that play better than you do, without the drive or incentive to get better or to play at a higher level more often , you will not improve.  To play golf at a higher level than you do, no matter what level you play at, you must putt the ball better,  me and my playing partners and friends play a 'friendly' putting game or two to make sure we are rolling it well and have our speed for the greens measured out,  remember that your speed is just as important as your line, and that when you are putting you should 'see' the line that your ball should be on after you strike it all the way to the hole, also to make your putts strong to the high side, 'never up, never in' , going two feet past the cup on the high side is a hundred times better than putting short below the hole (with the putt never having a chance to go in).   Lastly, practice putting whenever you have a chance, even if you arent going to hit balls, go and putt a hundred or two on the practice green a day, I often go and putt at least a hundred putts a day on one practice green sometimes two different courses practice greens if I have time...remember to run your practice drills (the two foot( three balls) , then back two more, then two more etc. until you miss, then start over) and practice lagging long distance to holes to get your speed control better.  I hope this helps, think positive, good luck and play well!

Answer 12

I love all of these answers, but here is the thing. I've played competitively in HS and in college, in regionals and many other places for money (shhhh....). It does get easier and all these ideas are good BUT they lacks something. You need something consistent that takes your mind off of the crowd and onto the course. You talk about you practicing and stuff but have you ever practiced a preshot routine? You need a pre-shot routine more than your putter (cause it won't work without one.). Step back look at the target, see the shot, feel the swing, walk up, pick a spot to square too, one last look, then pull the trigger. I swear, no fancy mirrors or mind tricks like these other answers offer, you will simply forget they are there if you do this because you won't have time to think about them. And if you do, start it over. I hope my source video gives you a better picture of what i'm saying. I know this will help. Keep it in the short grass!

Answer 13

You have performance anxiety. Read Johnny Miller's comments about choking. No Biggie.