As human beings, the thought of having people watch us and evaluate our performance creates a sense of evaluation that leads to feelings of nausea. We just don't want to be viewed as inept and incompetent! Many of us worry that we will be judged as fools and poor golfers! For many people, the thought of swinging a golf club in front of strangers creates a situation that is utterly overwhelming.

The simple notion of being watched (and maybe judged) by others creates a climate of pressure and can create elevated levels of self-analysis and self-doubt. The more doubt you have, the more that you may tend to over-control the golf club and want to steer and avoid making a swing mistake. The truth of the matter is that the more that you coerce and manipulate your swinging motion, the more that you hamper your developed talent of swinging the golf club with fluidity and effortlessness. Inevitably your conscious mind is commanding you to not screw up! What happens next is that you hit a poor shot and your confidence is affected and you fail to trust on your successive shots.

So, what are you supposed to do with this situation and remove the doubt? Well, the best way to deal with this situation is to confront your doubt head on. You have to ask yourself some very pointed questions:

* What it that makes me so fearful that I am afraid to trust myself and my swing?

* Or, Is it that I just don't believe in my talent?

Whatever your reasons, the solution is simply to get in control of your thoughts, feelings and emotions and to focus your energy into what you want to accomplish, versus what you want to avoid.

Another way to put it is that you must reframe the situation and remember to stay on task. Ultimately, your task is to hit the ball where you aim it and want it to go. The sole element of doubting pressure comes from you. Dismiss the fear from your mind. Focus on the things that you can control. Slow down your breathing, your pace, everything. Stay focused on what you want to create in your pre-shot routine and take the necessary steps to commit to your target during this time.

* A Key Swing Thought
I like for my players to create a specific swing key and rehearse it from behind the ball. I think it is very important that you know exactly what you want to do with the shot before you step into the ball to address it. Then, when you are ready, and only when you are ready----- step into the ball and swing away.

Also, let go of the feelings about what others watching you may or may not be saying. It's funny, but most golfers really don't care what you do or don't do. They are much too busy worrying about their own stuff than to be needlessly concerned with your golf game.

I also think it is a good strategy to know that you will make mistakes, but that it's okay to make mistakes because you are human. The best players in the world only average twelve greens in regulation every round and that a good many of them miss fairways and greens. So, give yourself permission to make a mistake and let the harshness of your critical self-evaluation dissolve.

Final Thoughts
So, the next time you are on the golf course, stay focused on the things you can control! Stay committed to doing your routine and make sure that your mind is directing your body on swinging the golf club in a fashion that makes solid contact with the ball. I have always liked the thought that if your eyes and mind are busy focusing on the target, it is hard for the ball to go anywhere else but there! I wish you great play and positive thoughts!

Dr. Robert K. Winters
Resident Sport Psychologist
DLGA Champions Gate, Florida

You can learn more about Dr. Robert K. Winters at www.MindPowerSports.com.

Original content copyright © 2007 Dr. Robert K. Winters & David Leadbetter Golf.