1 Jul 2017

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Brian Harman

It may only seem like it, but golf professionals with the last name of “Harman” tend to be a little on the, shall we say, vertically-challenged spectrum of height. Reigning United States Golf Teachers Cup champion Mark Harman stands just 5′ 7″, as does a tour golfer with the same last name who is making his mark on the professional scene, Brian Harman.

The latter Harman gained notoriety for taking the 54-hole lead into the final round of the 2017 U.S. Open, only to be overtaken by Brooks Koepka’s sterling 66 (see “PRO” File – Touring Professional Brooks Koepka). Earlier this year, Harman won the Wells Fargo Championship when his 28-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole found the bottom of the cup to edge no less than world number one Dustin Johnson.

As a junior player, Harman himself was ranked number one, winning the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, and went on to play at the University of Georgia. Harman did not get his tour card right away, instead toiling on the mini-tours for several years before making it to the main stage. He recorded his first victory at the John Deere Classic in 2014, but that victory did not propel him to greater heights. Heading into the 2016-17 season, he re-dedicated himself, resulting in improved play and a near-miss in a major championship.

Harman lives in Sea Island, Georgia, with his wife Kelly and their daughter Cooper.
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1 Jul 2017

Go Slow Like Brooks Koepka

What can we learn from the new U.S. Open champion, Brooks Koepka? Here is one important lesson: Go slow when you are under pressure.

If you watched Brooks during the final round of the U.S. Open, he never walked fast. In fact, the TV commentators on a few occasions commented that he was walking slower than usual. How did this help Koepka win the Open? And how can it help you play better under pressure?

We tend to get anxious in competition. When we are anxious, we typically do everything a little faster. We walk faster, talk faster and even think faster. This nervousness also increases the speed of our swing rhythm. This increased speed in our actions is in response to a release of hormones from our brain. When we are anxious, our mind releases such hormones as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones act as a stimulant and increase our blood flow, heart rate and countless other changes throughout our body. Walking slower counterbalances this increase in speed so that your game will not be thrown off.

But this principle is not only about golf, but about every sport. When you are nervous, your speed in your game will increase, and as a result, your rhythm and timing will be thrown off.

Copy Brooks Koepka and go slow. You may be slowing down, but you are actually speeding up your success.

By Dr. Gregg Steinberg, USGTF Sports’ Psychologist

(Articles like this can be found in www.TheMentalGameAcademy.com. The Mental Game Academy was created by Dr. Gregg Steinberg, whom Golf Digest ranked as one of the world’s greatest sport psychologists. He has worked with many PGA Tour players, including Brandt Snedeker, Brian Gay and Chris Couch, as well as Vanderbilt men’s golf and the University of Florida’s men’s golf team. Please go to the website for your free mental game e-book, as well as some free videos and articles. The Mental Game Academy is running a special for its online course at half price, $199. To get this special deal, use the promo code iggy199.)
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