Preparing for Golf Tournaments

By Brent Morrison with Janie Rome Morrison

Late in the summer I had the opportunity to observe my students competing at the B.C. Junior championship, B.C. Amateur Championship and the Ladies' Amateur Championship. Watching tournament golf is essential in the coaching progress and I learn a great deal from observing my students compete in these major tournaments. Although I observe their technical performance, what I also watch - and learn a tremendous amount about their development from - is their physiognomy. The degree to which a player permits emotional distress to physically manifest itself is a powerful indicator of how well the player will be able to ride out the round - or not.

Players place tremendous importance on the result of tournaments, as it is the ultimate test of their training. For many young players vying for University Scholarships, these outcomes will largely determine their collegiate paths. Training tournament golfers is much like training Olympic athletes; periodization is the key. The hours of training players spend in the entire year may be riding on one round. Break this down further and it could be one hole or a single shot! This places ultimate importance on remaining emotionally balanced throughout a round of golf. Many of the top touring Professionals say they typically hit 3-5 perfect shots per round and very few games go exactly as planned. With this in mind, it is imperative that players understand that hitting perfect shots (relative to ability) regularly, especially under pressure, is not the norm in this game! Expecting the unexpected and preparing for it will make it easier to stay emotionally balanced when variations happen.

At the B.C. Amateur I had the opportunity to watch one of Canada's top amateur golfers, James Lepp, who recently won the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship. He obviously has tremendous skill, and is one of the best players I have seen from 150 yards and in. James was playing with four-time Canadian Amateur Champion and thirteen-time B.C. Amateur Champion, Doug Roxburgh. The quality in both players that impresses me the most is their degree of emotional stability. They prepare for each shot with consistent intensity, regardless of the level of difficulty. When they miss a shot, they are obviously disappointed. However, there are never extreme changes in their physiognomy. This balance prevents them from becoming emotionally drained and helps keep them equally emotionally prepared and ready to execute the next shot. Essentially this emotional balance is created by attaching positive emotions to all outcomes - negative or positive - and is a key element for all players to master as they develop.

Many tournament players have the ability to shoot in the mid to high 60's. What typically happens in amateur golf is that the low round is followed by a higher one. If you find your scores are fluctuating wildly but your practice is consistently good, your emotions may be controlling your game. To practice maintaining your own emotional stability on the practice tee or on the course, make a point of hitting a shot and smiling, regardless of the outcome. Practice positive self talk and attach positive emotions to each circumstance. Whether you think you can or can't, you're right!

The next time you have the opportunity to watch great players, study their physiognomy before and following shots. Which player is destined to fall apart and which player will persevere through the inevitable ups and downs to finish like a champion? Watch and see!

The Brent Morrison Golf Academy is located at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, 1025 Qualicum Road, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1M5. (250) 752-8786. For more information on instruction programs for adults and juniors, contact the Academy office.

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