Tips From The Tour

Five European Tour pros tell us how a strong mental game can be the difference when facing a tough shot or when a tournament is on the line

- Michael Weston, Sam Tremlett

Can you prepare for pressure? If so, how?

Scott Jamieson (SJ) Prepare yourself the night before, have a bit of quiet time and imagine yourself in the situation the next day. Everyone’s going to feel pressure, it doesn’t matter who you are. You’ve got to prepare in your head for how you’re going to react if the day doesn’t go well, and vice versa. Have a plan for every scenario.

Matt Fitzpatrick (MF) Yes, absolutely! Do it by putting yourself under pressure in practice. For example, hole six-footers with some meaning, or play with your mates for a fiver. It focuses on the mind.

Luke Donald (LD) With Dave Alred, I learned to simulate practice with real golf as much as possible. There’s nothing wrong with pressure. When people try and stay away from it, that becomes a problem. Lean into it, it’s going to focus you, and if you’ve done the work, you can produce the shots you need to under the gun.

Paul Dunne (PD) Mental visualization and planning for how you think you’re going to feel in those situations can be really beneficial. The more times you put yourself under pressure, the more comfortable you’ll get.

How do you respond to a bad pre-round practice?

Russell Knox (RK) Don’t judge it. It’s difficult sometimes if you’re hitting it really badly, but if you are, then just think of it as a warm-up.