Derby Sports Psychologist's Insight Into Golf Open
15 July 2010
The players who do well at big competitions don't get stressed or anxious, but excited.
”With the British Open Golf Championship in St Andrews underway, a University of Derby lecturer has used his experience working with top international golfers to give an insight into how players make the cut, and win.
Lecturer in Sports Psychology at the University of Derby Buxton, Dr John Pates, has supported a number of the golfers taking part in this week's Open Championship in his work as a sport psychologist.
As well as working with reigning US Open champion Graeme McDowell during his early career, John has also spent seven years working on the PGA Tour with Danish player Thomas Bjorn and Welsh player Bradley Dregde, and has supported Scottish golfer Stephen Gallacher.
Dr Pates, who is currently in Switzerland working with the Swiss National Golf Team, said: "The players who do well at big competitions don't get stressed or anxious, but excited. They enjoy the feeling of being part of a big tournament, and perform well as a result of this relaxed approach.
"I also work with golfers on psychological techniques that help them stay in the present; attention control and emotional control are both very important if the player is to fully focus on each shot, and not think about their performance on the last hole or the ones coming up.
"It's also important for a player to focus on the process and routine of getting their shot right, rather than worrying about the outcome. They will use imagery techniques to play, the shot through in their mind before they swing.
"The players who can put all of these psychological techniques into effect, and who enjoy playing on a big stage will perform the best at the Open this week."
John joined the University of Derby Buxton in 2009 and lectures on joint honours degrees in Sports Psychology, Sports Coaching, Sports Development,Sports Massage and Exercise Therapy.
For more information about this news release, contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07909 533242 email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
