Tension

photo credit: woodleywonderworks   Tension is self inflicted.  The fear of failure translates into trying to steer the golf ball towards the target.  Tension is also derived from wanting to hit the golf ball very hard, much farther than your own capabilities.  Recognize your own capabilities and stay within them to avoid stress.

Taut muscles don’t respond very well to high-hope mental signals because taut muscles are not very flexible when they are tense.  Most of the time, tension creates a shorter, quicker swing because the body does not like tension and wants relief from it as quickly as possible. 

Don’t try to be an over-achiever when playing golf.  Make sure you maximize your playing strengths by staying tension free.  As simple and basic as it sounds, staying calm really works.