I wonder if Andrea Furst or whatever her name is, the author of this article has ever been 6 under with 2 to go on a golf course? I breathe air on the golf course and then a light up a smoke and drag on it when I am a few under to keep the thinking going. Golf is a “mental game” at times that only yourself can beat or rise to the situation on hand. Next time I am faced with a drive that I am uncomfortable with, I will take a few deep breaths of oxygen? No..I will take a 3 wood or 2 iron off the tee and use course management skills. As for me, when I am hitting a putt or a chip or any shot, I hold my breathe come to think of it. Sorry guys, golf quacks or university qualified people who have zap knowledge about golf annoy me. Opinions welcome.

Yes I’m with you on course management. But no Ive never been 6 under with 2 to go. I was 1 over after 6 holes and that is my golf highlight to date :P

I didn’t read the article because I am seriously late for my next lecture but I did skim through it in about 30 seconds and I believe that concentrating on your breathing does promote relaxation. I’ll try it next time Ive got a putt at birdie… In my last 15 birdie putts ive sunk 0… And im a decent enough putter to make 1 in 15… I’ll give it a try because I don’t see myself losing anything by doing it. As for university qualified people knowing nothing about golf, Im doing a psychology degree at Uni (dont worry im not qualified yet so you didnt offend me :D) and so Im starting to understand just how debilitating the mind can be when it wants to and thus keeping the mind in check will surely help keep the body in check.
Cheers.

I have to disagree Jumbo, the information in this article might not be for those who find golf easy compared to the general population, but please don’t discourage people from taking advice that might be beneficial.
So much research goes into making people more athletic for better golf performance, golf specific diets etc etc.. Very little advice is given to deal with the one thing that is responsible for 100% of your game and that is your Brain.
I have been unlucky enough to have suffered from anxiety and stress disorders which after five years of feeling like rubbish every day were eventually diagnosed by a doctor. I had been offered a traineeship and was on my way to living my dream.. but this disorder made it impossible. After two years of treatment and a handicap that is starting to come back from the twelve it went out to I still have along way to go.
The breathing technique described is one of the very few ways to deal with anxiety disorders as very little is still known. This technique was one of the only ways i could prevent myself having an anxiety attack, and allowed me to continue to earn an income and put food on the table for my family.
Golf is only a game, the breathing technique helps some people live their LIFE, surely that means it could be beneficial in anything people do where nerves, anxiety or stress are involved.
The breathing technique is not properly described in the article as I have been taught to breath with the stomach not the chest in order to draw the diapragm down and fill the lungs.. Any one interested can find better descriptions on the Net.

I wonder if Andrea Furst or whatever her name is, the author of this article has ever been 6 under with 2 to go on a golf course? I breathe air on the golf course and then a light up a smoke and drag on it when I am a few under to keep the thinking going. Golf is a “mental game” at times that only yourself can beat or rise to the situation on hand. Next time I am faced with a drive that I am uncomfortable with, I will take a few deep breaths of oxygen? No..I will take a 3 wood or 2 iron off the tee and use course management skills. As for me, when I am hitting a putt or a chip or any shot, I hold my breathe come to think of it. Sorry guys, golf quacks or university qualified people who have zap knowledge about golf annoy me. Opinions welcome.

Just bomb it

I can assure you Andrea Furst has not been 6 under with 2 to go. I’ve played with her.

But she has spent a few years now working with many players who have. She has also helped many players get to that situation in the first place.

Breathing is just one physiological aspect of a complete golf game consisting of Technical, Mental, Tactical and Physical skills.

Andrea’s area is mental and tactical.

If your breathing gets shallow and quick, your oxygen levels drop and you’re brain will not fuction as well. So it will be harder to carry out the points you’re making.

And that doesn’t mean you have to breath during your shot.

The point you mention in your post is a course management skill (tactical). She’s not implying you ‘trick’ yourself into hitting the driver by breathing.