ChamGolf is pressure – whether it’s a four-foot putt to win your weekend skins game or the final hole of a Major. The difference between champions and also-rans often comes down to how they handle that pressure. Sam Snead, an all-time great, warned that “Of all the hazards, fear is the worst.” Fear of failure can grip your swing, narrow your focus to all the wrong things, and make a normally fun game feel like a stress nightmare. Average players tense up under pressure, seeing a tough shot as a threat. Elite players learn to reframe pressure as a challenge – even as excitement – and they thrive on it.

This was a hard habit for Jake to learn. By nature, he got nervous in big moments – a tricky tee shot over water or a crucial client meeting would tie his stomach in knots. Under Coach Price’s tutelage, Jake began to consciously flip his script on pressure. Instead of “Oh no, don’t mess up,” he started thinking “Alright, bring it on – let’s see what I’ve got.” He even taught himself to smile (or at least not frown) when feeling nerves, using it as a signal that this is a moment that matters. It sounds cheesy, but it worked. By interpreting the adrenaline as excitement rather than fear, his body stayed looser and his mind clearer. Sports psychology backs this up: the key difference between a fear state and a flow state is often simply how you interpret the moment. If you label the butterflies in your stomach as “I’m scared,” you tighten up. If you label them as “I’m pumped up and ready,” you perform better.

One memorable example for Jake was during his club championship final round. He stood on a par-3 with a big lake glistening menacingly along the right side of the green. In the past, that image of a splashdown would dominate his mind. This time, he smiled and literally said to himself, “Let’s go – challenge accepted.” He visualized a solid shot to the safe part of the green, took an extra club (to make sure fear didn’t make him swing timidly), and executed one of his best iron swings of the day. The thrill he felt proved to him that he could not only survive pressure but actually enjoy it. It’s the same mentality he brings to high-pressure work situations now – the feeling of nerves is just your body’s way of saying this is important, and that’s a good thing.

Coach’s Tip:

The next time you feel pressure – your heart racing on the first tee or standing over a must-make putt – reframe it. Remind yourself that pressure is a privilege; it means you’re in a position you wanted to be in. Take a deep breath and tell yourself, “I’m excited to do this.” Channel that burst of energy into focus. Also, keep your body language positive: stand tall, chin up. (Interestingly, something as simple as lifting your eyes to scan the horizon can calm nerves – it widens your perspective and reduces anxiety.) Remember, fear is the worst hazard, so don’t give it space in your mind. Instead, fill your mind with the challenge: where’s my target, what’s my plan. Champions love the moment – practice loving it yourself, and pressure will become fuel, not poison.