Pressure Is For Tyres

Alan Shearer, the famous football striker, once said, "There is no such thing as pressure—pressure is just for tyres."

This is a humorous take, and perhaps players like Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker truly didn’t feel much pressure. However, football differs significantly from golf. In football, players react instinctively to an unpredictable game. In golf, the ball is stationary, and we have plenty of time to think between shots.

All golfers experience pressure, whether it’s during a friendly weekend round or a Monday qualifier for a tour event. A coach once asked me if I felt pressure while hitting my 8-iron on the driving range. It was probably my tenth consecutive shot, and I was simply going through the motions. Then he asked, “Would you feel different if I propelled the mat 100 feet into the air and asked you to hit the shot?” His point was that it was still the same 8-iron, but my perception of the situation would completely change. An 8-iron from 165 yards on a flat lie at your home course is no different from an 8 Iron on the 72nd hole of Augusta with a one-shot lead—except that we all know our bodies would feel very different. That conversation stuck with me and reinforced the importance of not only training my swing but also training my mind.

The truth is, I neglected the mental side of the game for years. My focus was on 30-minute lessons where the instructor would identify a swing fault and give me drills to fix it. But no one ever taught me how to practice effectively. I spent countless hours on the range hitting balls, often obsessing over a specific swing look without truly understanding cause and effect. While this turned me into a decent ball striker, I had no shot-making skills. I spent 100% of my time in the prefrontal cortex—leading to paralysis by analysis.

I eventually worked with world-renowned sports psychologist Karl Morris. His philosophy resonated deeply: the mental game is intangible. The more you work on it, the more success sneaks up on you. I found his techniques transformative and encourage you to explore his work. His podcast The Mind Caddy features a wide range of guests sharing insights, stories that can help any golfer enjoy the game more. Karl also developed an excellent app called The Mind Caddy, which simplifies key mental game principles into actionable steps.

Below are some key strategies to help you manage pressure on the course.

Reframe Nervousness

Instead of viewing nerves as a negative, reframe them as excitement. The best performers embrace these feelings rather than fear them.

Move Towards Pressure

Practice environments are often comfortable and consequence-free, which doesn’t prepare you for on-course pressure. If you have limited practice time, prioritize playing on the course. Even better, create pressure by adding stakes—nothing extreme, but enough to make losing uncomfortable. A simple $5 bet on the front nine, back nine, and overall match can be enough to trigger competitive nerves.

If this feels uncomfortable, that’s a good thing. Pressure is a skill to develop, just like a golf swing. Some of the greatest moments in golf have happened when players' hands were shaking.

Master Your Breathing

You’re breathing right now, but controlled breathing is a different skill. Deep diaphragmatic breathing—slowly inhaling to expand the belly and exhaling in a controlled manner—can lower cortisol levels, improve focus, and provide the glue that holds your round together.

In contrast, shallow breathing increases heart rate, spikes adrenaline, and triggers a fight-or-flight response. Great for escaping a grizzly bear—not so great for sinking a putt under pressure. Incorporate deep breathing into your routine, especially before stepping onto the putting green.

Stay Present on the Course

Karl Morris once pointed out that in a 4–5 hour round, we may only spend about two minutes actually swinging the club. That leaves a lot of time in between. Staying present in those moments is crucial. If chatting with your playing partners helps, do it—it conserves mental energy.

A simple trick: keep your eyes above the horizon. Looking down narrows focus, making you more introspective and prone to overthinking. Looking up broadens perspective and promotes relaxation.

Develop a Routine

A strong routine isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. Routines provide familiarity when the stakes are high. Years ago, I asked Nick Faldo about his mental routine at a Junior Clinic. He kept it simple: See, Feel, Do.

1. See – Visualize the shot and get a clear picture of your target.

2. Feel – Rehearse the swing with a key sensation that fits the shot.

3. Do – Step up and commit. What’s the worst that can happen?

Final Thoughts

Pressure is inevitable in golf, but how you respond to it is within your control. By reframing nerves, practicing under pressure, mastering your breathing, and developing strong routines, you can train yourself to thrive in high-stakes moments.

What techniques have helped you manage pressure on the course?