You can use pressure as a good trigger.
Every golfer feels pressure. Whether you’re trying to break 100 or win a state amateur, that tension — the quickened heartbeat, the shaky hands, the wandering thoughts — shows up when something matters to you. And that’s the key: pressure isn’t the problem. It’s a sign that you care.
Pressure is simply your brain’s natural response to something it recognizes as important.
The Pressure Myth
A lot of golfers think mental toughness means not feeling nerves at all. But that’s not how it works. If you felt absolutely no nerves before an important shot, that probably means you don’t care much about the outcome.
Pressure shows up because you care. It’s your system getting ready to perform. Even the best players in the world feel it — they’ve just learned how to use it instead of fight it.
The Three-Step Framework for Handling Pressure
Here’s a simple way to deal with pressure when it hits — say you’re on a tee with water left, OB right, and your mind starts racing.
Step 1: Accept it.
Notice what’s happening without judgment: “Okay, this is pressure. My body’s reacting because this shot matters.” The more you fight it, the stronger it gets.
Step 2: Reframe it.
Instead of trying to calm down, remind yourself: “This energy means I care. This is what competitive golf feels like.” That shift keeps you engaged instead of fearful.
Step 3: Use it.
Let that energy become your trigger to focus. Take a breath, go through your routine, pick a target, and commit. That’s what pressure is for — sharpening your focus, not distracting it.
When you step up to that par-3 late in the round with the water carry and your heart rate’s climbing, don’t resist it. Think, “Perfect — this means I’m invested.” Then channel it: breathe, routine, strike.
Putting It Into Play
Try this in your next round. When pressure shows up — first tee jitters, a must-make putt, a tough lie — label it: “This is pressure, and I welcome it.” Then direct that energy toward your process instead of trying to make it disappear.
You can even practice this beforehand. Visualize those pressure situations and walk through your steps mentally. The more you rehearse it, the more automatic your response becomes when it matters most.
The best players in the world don’t play without pressure. They’ve just learned to work with it.
When you stop seeing pressure as the enemy and start using it as a tool, you’ll free yourself up to play your best golf — especially when the stakes feel high.
One thing for you to work on this week:
When pressure hits, don’t fight it—accept it, reframe it as proof you care, and use that energy to lock into your routine and commit to the shot.