You know that feeling.
Standing over your ball with three groups watching behind you. Your palms start to sweat, your swing thought vanishes, and suddenly you’re convinced you’ve forgotten how to play the game entirely.
It’s not just you.
But here’s the kicker: Collin Morikawa has felt that too. The only difference? He’s figured out how to turn that pressure into something useful — even powerful.
And if you’re a weekend golfer trying to hold it together when the round’s on the line (or you’re just trying not to chunk your wedge into the pond), there’s a lot you can learn from how Collin keeps his cool.
He Doesn’t Fight the Nerves — He Reframes Them
“Nerves? Everyone has them,” Morikawa says. “But how can you mentally change that nervousness into excitement or focus?”
That one quote is basically the foundation of Collin’s mental game — and it comes straight from his long-time performance coach, Rick Sessinghaus.
Together, they’ve worked on transforming pressure into focus by using something called cognitive reframing. When doubt creeps in (which it does, even for pros), Collin doesn’t try to push it away. He recognizes it — then immediately recalls a successful shot from his past.
He replaces fear with memory. Stress with strategy.
Think about that next time you’re standing over a tricky chip after blading the last one. Instead of replaying your failure, try recalling that one time you stuck it tight from a similar lie. Your brain follows where your focus leads.
Breathing Like It Actually Matters (Because It Does)
During a shaky moment at the Memorial, Collin literally paused mid-round, stuck his pitching wedge in his mouth, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
Not exactly what you’d expect from a two-time major winner, right?
But that moment wasn’t hesitation — it was control.
Professional golfers like Morikawa use specific breathing techniques to regulate their nervous systems. Try this:
- Inhale through your nose for a count of 4
- Hold for 4
- Exhale through your mouth for 4
- Hold for 4
(Rinse and repeat. It’s called box breathing — and yes, Navy SEALs use it too.)
For weekend golfers, mastering your breath between shots might do more for your scorecard than another swing tip. The next time you feel your heart racing after a double bogey, pause. Breathe. Reset.
The Pre-Shot Routine That’s Actually Worth Copying
Morikawa doesn’t wing it. Ever.
Every shot — whether it’s Thursday morning or Sunday on the 18th at Augusta — gets the same mental treatment. Same tempo. Same routine.
Here’s what’s in his pre-shot process:
- A quick body scan to release tension
- Practice swings at 70% effort (not maxing out)
- A single trigger word — something like “smooth” to guide the feel
- A final breath before stepping into the shot
Sound excessive? It’s not.
A solid routine isn’t about slowing you down — it’s about creating calm in the chaos. That first tee shot with your in-laws watching? You’ll want a plan. Trust me.
Flow State: Not Just for Pros (Yes, Really)
“Flow follows focus,” Sessinghaus says — and that’s the magic phrase.
Collin’s goal is to be completely locked into this shot, not the leaderboard, not his last bogey, not what happens if he wins.
He’s learned how to avoid playing “in a state of fear,” as his coach calls it. Weekend golfers? We’re experts at that — always thinking about OB, water, the last time we choked.
But here’s the shift: Morikawa plays offense, not defense.
Even on the back nine of the 2020 PGA Championship — with seven guys tied and pressure boiling — he attacked a drivable par-4 and stuck it to seven feet for eagle.
That shot won him the tournament.
Not because he was fearless — but because he trusted the process more than the pressure.
So, What Can You Actually Use on Your Saturday Round?
You’re not winning a major this weekend. (And if you are, congrats — and please let me caddie.)
But you are going to face pressure. A tight tee box, a nervy 3-footer, maybe a match on the line.
When that happens, channel a little Morikawa:
- Notice the nerves — then reframe them as energy.
- Breathe with purpose — especially between shots.
- Stick to your routine — it’s your anchor.
- Focus on the shot — not the outcome.
You won’t always hit it pure. But you’ll think better — and that’s where low scores start.