Turning a Nervous Swing into a Confident Swing

Nerves are more than normal when it comes to any sport. We’ve all experienced the nerves and anxieties that start to bubble up when we approach our first tee shot. But we chatted with Justin Klemballa, Director of Instruction at Paradise Valley Country Club and Forest Highland Golf Club, who was able to share a few great insights for helping you go from nervous to confident on the course.

1.    Shoot For Success Instead of Preparing for Failure

We usually have a score range that we shoot in. If you’re an “80s player” you might shoot anywhere between 80 and 90 during a game. Justin’s first tip is to think more like: “what if I could shoot 75 tomorrow?” This mindset helps you strive for success as opposed to simply avoiding “failure.” By setting achievable goals, you can feel more relaxed on the course which, in turn, allows you to play more confidently.

Ask yourself what a person who shoots a 75 would do to prepare for their game, then do those things. You know you can achieve 75, so setting this goal helps you bring your A-game and stick to the fundamentals.

2.    Practice the “Feet Together” Drill

When people are nervous, they try very hard to guide the club through their swings, resulting in a lot of body in their swing. By attempting to help the ball through the body, you compromise your technical skills, making it harder to sharpen up your game. Justin recommends the “Feet Together” drill to help let go and fully release the club without allowing your body to get involved. This will allow you to really snap into your swing and channel plenty of confidence to make it happen.

3.    Monitor Your Grip Pressure

Justin references a 1-10 scale to help you think about your grip pressure. Where one serves as the lightest grip possible and 10 serves as the tightest grip possible. As with most things in life, there’s always a happy medium, and Justin recommends somewhere around a 4. Applying too much grip pressure can cause your club head to lift up into the air a bit, resulting in thin shots or top shots on your ball. The more you can monitor this pressure and stay diligent about finding your happy medium, the better your nerves and plays will feel. 

You can get your hands on expert insights like these ones - and more - when you join our 6-week Compete Confidence Signature Program, specifically designed for female recreational golfers looking to connect with like minded ladies, tighten up their game, and improve their golf skills.