Golf - So You Want To Go Into Competition - Some Pros and Cons

Professional golfers are good at making the golf swing look simple and easy. However, this is far from the reality of it

Professional golfers are finally looking at themselves for what they are - athletes. That's right, golfers are athletes. And, fitness is paramount to performing well. Golfers simply play better when they are in better shape.

So You Want To Start Entering Golf Tournaments?

Competition can bring out the very best in us, and the very worst.

And when it comes to golf, it is probably the most psychologically impacting sport in existence. No other sport requires so much of your mental clarity and attitude than golf does.

Competition Takes Sharp Focus

When you compete in a golf tournament, regardless of what level you're playing at, the last thing you want to do is choke up in front of other people.

Think about it! Imagine yourself in that position. That is a lot of pressure. It can literally play mind games on yourself.

Once a little bit of doubt creeps into your head, the next thing you realize is that your typically easy tee shot is now slicing off less than 50 yards away, while all of the other players tee offs are headed towards the 200 yard mark, going perfectly straight down the
fairway.

You'll have to keep in mind that golf is a mind game. You'll always attract the kind of shots which relate to what you are thinking about, or how you are feeling.

If you nervously step up to the ball with fears and doubts running through your head, the chances are high that you will hit a bad shot.

This "law of attraction" works equally well when you feel good about your game. If you feel assured, confident, and are in your comfort zone, success will be second nature. Having this type of confidence for making each shot has the tendency to send a calming feeling over your entire body and ease your mind. You just step up, take your swing, and watch proudly as the ball sails away towards its target.

The Pressure Of Competition Takes Time To Get Used To

When you first start competing, every golf shot will be one that you absolutely must do well at. Your only thoughts are winning the tournament and every shot counts.

This additional pressure will probably do more harm than good when you first start entering golf competitions.

A good analogy is to compare competing in golf the same as lifting weights. When you first start exercising, the weights are very heavy and your muscles become very sore. However, in time you know what to expect when hitting the gym and you start to build stronger and stronger muscles.

Just like your body gets stronger from more and more exposure to weights, you can experience the same mental strength from playing golf on a competitive level.

Your focus will sharpen and your abilities will sharpen. Eventually, you will look back at your beginning days of competition and laugh at just how nervous and fearful you once were.

Monetary Compensation

Professional golfers are paid in direct proportion to how well they play. For example, Golfers don't get per diem and two seats on a charter flight when they travel between tournaments.