Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Is depression/anxiety a symptom of AS?

One of the things I learned playing tournament golf at the pro level (unfortunately never on the "big show"--the PGA Tour) was how completely "Zen" the game can be.

Playing at that level I absolutely had to empty my mind of all thought once I was ready to contact the ball. At very best, I could visualize the shot I wanted to make, but no more. Nothing in my life off the course. Nothing in my business. Not even anyone's best "swing tips". Nothing. Let my body take the swing-- it knows how. The best round I ever played, a 4 under 67, ended on the 36th and final hole of a qualifying tournament on a 100 F day. I eagled a 445 yd. par 4 because I was dehydrated, heat exhausted verging on heatstroke, and just let my body play because I had no brain to control it.

My tee shot went far to the left of the fairway, almost out of bounds. I was left a shot of 205 yds. off hard-packed prairie which needed to turn left around some trees to have any hope of making the vicinity of the green so I could scramble for par. My oldest boy was caddying and tried to give me a 3 wood; I asked for a 2 iron, one of my favorite clubs.

The shot hooked around the trees, bounced over the bunker protecting the front right of the green, and rolled fifty or so feet into the hole. I collapsed-- but the best shot of my life happened because I didn't think.

I trained myself years ago as part of the martial arts I've learned to close my eyes and take three slow, deep breaths, allowing all unnecessary tension to simply flow out of my body. It works wonderfully to get unwanted stress out of my body whenever I need to. I know it sounds a little "wierd spooky hocus pocus" (can't help it; I live in the People's Republic of Boulder County, Colorado) but it does work. It just takes a little practice. It puts you in a light trance so you can get out of your own way.

It helps me manage pain, now, to some degree.

John