Let’s start right at the beginning with a little exercise. Stand in golf position, close your eyes and for a few moments think of a situation you fear or a situation that is extremely uncomfortable and which you would rather avoid. Think of this situation with your eyes closed for about a minute. After a minute, focus your attention on your breathing. I bet that your breathing is very shallow and your chest is constricted. This reaction is quite common and natural. Animals hold their breath when danger is approaching. Our body reacts to the mere idea of a dangerous situation not only to real danger.

Now again stand in golf position, close your eyes, take a few slow inward breaths and exhale. Imagine a stream of air passing through your nose, throat, chest and down to the abdomen. Deepen your breath each time you inhale. Notice the tension in your body. Most likely you will not find any. Your body is relaxed and your mind calm.

Tension and breathing are two activities that do not go together. If you are tense, you cannot breathe properly, but when you breathe deeply, you will feel the tension slowly leaving your body.

Next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, either in life or on the course, begin to breathe deeply. It will take just a few moments for you to relax and recover your composure.