Past Ryder Cup player and European Tour player Stephen Gallacher was invited on to the Golf Ireland Zoom series by his friend and past opponent Neil Manchip this month. With a mixture of players, coaches and team selectors asking the Scotsman different questions, the call covered a variety of topics around the game.
Niall and I were lucky enough to get a chance to ask Gallacher some probing questions. Niall asked one of the most noteworthy questions wondering if players “should work on their weaknesses, or work on their strengths and manage their weakness”. After confessing that this question prompted a lot of thought and calling on his own past experiences, Gallacher believed that players should work on their strengths and manage their weakness. “Because you have to remember what got you to the level you’re at, that’s what makes you great” Gallacher explained.
A couple of questions around on-course play also cropped up, including mine: “Do you have any useful habits that help you stay calm ‘focused when you feel under pressure?”. A conversation around the mental game arose, with Gallacher explaining “I actually like to have song to sing in between shots, and if I’m really struggling, I focus on my breathing and try to breathe in for 5 seconds and out for 5”. The European Tour player revealed that he also likes to “re-play great shots I have already hit” to build confidence and remind himself of his capabilities.
This form of visualisation was an idea Gallacher turned to on a few occasions, admitting that when he’s not sure what shot to hit, he pictures a hole on his home course that required him to hit a similar shot. This allowed him to recognise that he’s played a certain shot countless of times before, strengthen his self-belief. It was interesting to hear that even a professional who has been on the European Tour for over 20 years, sometimes needs to remind himself just how good he is.
“100% clarity and 100% commitment” is how Gallacher simplified his process to each golf shot. It sounds simple but in practice it may not be as easy. Gallacher explained that both clarity and commitment are really the only things golfers can control when they are competing. “All you can do is your best with each shot, that’s all anyone can ask from you” Gallacher added.
Gallacher gave the Golf Ireland players, staff, coaches and volunteers a priceless opportunity to pick the brains of another great name of the game. Personally, I found the call insightful, enlightening and very honest. It was generous for Gallacher to be so open and willing to chare on the call, elements which made the experience very memorable for everyone involved!
Photograph credit (© Golffile | Thos Caffrey)
