Paul Azinger recently was featured on The Golf Channel in an interview with Brandel Chamblee. Azinger won the 1993 PGA Championship and captained the victorious 2008 Ryder Cup team.
When asked about his pre shot routine at The PGA, he demonstrated what helped on Sunday’s final few pressure packed holes.
He’d stand behind the ball and visualize the perfect shot. “I would take a deep breath where I’d inhale slowly to a count of four……and then exhale just as slowly to a four count. Only then would I approach the ball……set up…..and hit the shot I imagined.”
Ashley Schmidt was competing for a state title at #3 singles for The Kent Denver Sun Devils. A very young tennis pro and part time rodeo cowboy was coaching her in Pueblo. On the first changeover, it was apparent that she was “amped out of her gourd”….and that this mental/physical state was not going to lead to the outcome she desired. I intuitively realized that quick action was needed. “Ashley……I want you to close your eyes and take four deep breaths each time we meet.” We decided to meet between games at the far fence away from the boisterous fans from the opposing team. This worked like a charm. No longer did she seem rushed with that deer in the headlights look. She just went out and played……and won.
Paul Azinger and Ashley Schmidt both realizing the benefit of focused breathing.
It made me wonder if the average person would be helped if they took one minute an hour to inhale to four and then s l o w l y exhale. Unlikely that many would try it….as hecticity is the norm these days.
Then I thought, what if folks just took that one minute…..with eyes closed…..three times a day.
Now that seems doable.
Myabe putting hecticity in the back pocket for those three minutes would be valuable.
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