Welcome

Welcome to issue number two of The 3 Minute Golfer.

This FREE, weekly publication is here to help every golfer improve their mental game and their personal wellbeing.

In this issue:

• The Four Brains of a Golfer

• Wellness Tip: Just Say No - The Secret to Stress R …

• Mental Demons Q+A

• In Person Events - Book The 3 Minute Golfer

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The Four Brains of a Golfer

Picture this: You’re standing on the first tee, a crowd of curious onlookers behind, and an impressively manicured fairway ahead. You’ve done all the “golfy” things - checked your grip, adjusted your stance, waggled the club for good measure…..and now it’s time to let it rip. 

But somewhere between your head and your hands, a tiny musical is playing out, starring your nervous system. Learning to understand and choreograph the dance sequences in your musical will definitely help you shave a stroke or two off your next round.

Meet the Cast: Autonomic, Somatic, Sympathetic, and Parasympathetic

Your nervous system is like the actors and crew at a Broadway show: half of them know exactly what they’re doing, while the other half relies on your conscious direction to perform.

• Autonomic (Involuntary) Nervous System: This is the stage manager who keeps the show running smoothly behind the curtain, handling your heart rate and breathing without you ever needing to provide a conscious input. Which is fortunate really because you’ve got enough to think about, like which club to hit and finding your ball.

• Somatic (Voluntary) Nervous System: Think of Somatic as the lead dancer taking all their cues directly from your conscious brain. Want to slowly take the club back and shape a gentle fade? Your somatic system gives the swing orders for your muscles to follow. Of course, with heaps of perfect practice, over time your swing sequence will become automated to the point of unconscious perfection.

• Sympathetic (Fight, Flight, Fright) System: This is your inner fire alarm bell in case the theatre catches on fire. It is designed to pump you up when you’re facing a frightening situation, like a dauntingly long carry over water. When you get nervous on the tee box, the sympathetic system cranks up your heart rate, zaps blood to your muscles, and kicks adrenaline into gear. It’s basically your body yelling, “Danger!” Sometimes that helps to focus your power and sometimes it builds a fear that slices your tee shots into the next post code.

• Parasympathetic (Rest & Digest) System: Parasympathetic is like your chilled friend in the cast who reminds you to breathe and relax. After you’ve hit a solid drive (or survived a nerve-racking hole), the parasympathetic system helps you wind down, regain composure, and sip that water bottle with panache. When you’re calm, muscles loosen, fine motor skills improve, and you can approach the game with the steady hand of a master putter.

Why This Matters for Your Game

Your golf performance thrives when the whole cast and crew are working in unison, when everyone is playing their part, perfectly.

Picture it like Goldilocks on the course: too much tension (sympathetic takeover) and you will grip the club like you’re trying to kill a snake. Too chilled (parasympathetic overhang) and you’ll be so laid-back your body will feel like taking a nap in the golf cart. A balanced nervous system response helps you stay present, focused, and just alert enough to tap into your well-honed skills.

Research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise, citing a 2016 study by the University of Queensland, found that learning to control breathing helped golfers improve their putting accuracy. It turns out that staying calm enough to focus, but not so calm you snooze through your backswing, leads to better results.

With a little practice, your nervous system’s musical show will have your mind and body swinging beautifully in sync.