By Zach Padgett,
Lago Vista Golf Club

You have seen me write on many occasions, “If you want to change your swing, you need a model, then you practice your repetitions until the change becomes a habit.” A habit is something we can trust. It is something we can do or perform continuously without consciously thinking about it. Tying your golf shoes is a habit—or I hope it is.
If you have played golf for any amount of time, I am suggesting your golf swing should also have been habituated. I understand changes occur, hopefully, infrequently. But, in general, your golf swing is yours. It is a motion of the body, it is repeatable and is a habit.
What I am leading up to is this: Throughout my teaching career I have found it very interesting how often I have heard this statement, “I just don’t trust my swing.” This proclamation is uttered most frequently proceeding an errant tee shot, iron shot or pitch shot that occurred at a very inopportune time, such as the last couple of holes of a tournament or when a gambling game is at its peak. I have also heard it mentioned when someone is about to shoot a “career” round, with nothing more at stake than personal satisfaction.
So, if your golf swing is a habit, then what or why is it not to be trusted, regardless of the situation? My theory is this: It is not the swing that is mistrusted, it is the golfers themselves. In other words, “I am not comfortable in this situation, and I do not expect myself to perform successfully in this situation.” The result, predictably, is a poor golf shot, with the blame passed on to your swing. (If this does not apply to you, then may God Bless You. You do not need to continue reading, and you probably already possess a great attitude toward golf, keeping it in the correct perspective.)
For those of you venturing forward, stop blaming poor shots on your golf swing. It is you!
Here are a few thoughts that may cure “choking.” First, try breathing. Breathing is the opposite of choking.
Seriously, breathing deeply relaxes your body and enables you to swing the club properly. (Breathing and smiling simultaneously is actually even more effective.)
Second, remember you are just playing a game. The result of your game probably will not be significant to anything of real importance. Enjoy and please keep golf in true perspective.
Third, appreciate and relish the opportunity to be successful. Great players like Nicklaus, Hogan and Palmer loved and embraced the challenges of winning. You can pretend to share that same mindset until it becomes a habit. (Details to follow in another article.)
There are many other ways to learn to feel comfortable, but space only allows these few. However, as you do start feeling more at ease with these “tough” situations, I sincerely believe many of your “bad” golf swings will eventually vanish.
Have fun and with good weather again, play more golf.