04 May Between the ears

We always hear the ever-increasing physical and mental pressures suffered by various sport stars.

Appalling strains and burnt-out are common headlines. But what about golfers — yes, I hear a few of you saying that you know personally of one or two golfers in your regular group who have a couple of screws loose — but what of those who try and make their living from playing this game that we all love!

Week in week out tournament players know the extremes of elation and disappointment, and knowingly they exert pressures on themselves because of their ambitions.

Worry for some players has become a way of life and that cant be right, and eventually some of them, those with the weakest personalities, will crack.

I’m not saying they will go loony but they will reach a point at which they cant go on.

Acute anxiety can lead to nervous collapse, and big prize money, contracts, business interests, endorsements and competition that becomes tougher and tougher allow the mental and physical pressures to grow.

Professional golf is a game whereby, one small misjudgment can cost thousands of pounds, dollars or euros.

Out of Bounds — A reader informs me that his long gone golf buddy was called Justin Pieces. He swears that his gravestone reads: Justin Pieces … like his golf swing.

REMARK: This article was originally published by the Bangkok Post on the 4th of May 2014.