Read how Gemma’s Performance Practice helped clinch the best win of her career.
Congratulations to my student, Gemma Dryburgh, who won her first LPGA Tour Title at the TOTO Japan Classic.
Gemma triumphed at Seta Golf Course earlier this month, posting a second-straight 65 to earn her first LPGA Tour title at the TOTO Japan Classic, finishing at -20 overall.
In this interview, she talks about the value of her Performance Practice and how it helped her stay calm on the way to victory.
1. What brought you to work with Jayne Storey and her Chi Performance methods?
GD: I was recommended to listen to a podcast by my golf coach which Jayne was featured on. I then read her books Breathe Golf and Connected Golf, and after practising the methods on my own for a while, it led me to eventually asking Jayne if I could work with her personally.
2. What has your experience been like working with Jayne?
GD: It has been fantastic! I have loved working with and learning from Jayne over the last couple of years. Learning to use my breathing and meditation practice on the course has been invaluable compared to the normal mental game practices that I have done in the past. I felt like the mind techniques I had been taught previously weren’t always working when I really needed them, so I was looking for a change and Jayne’s work was just what I needed.
3. When did you first start to see the benefits and can you describe them?
GD: I probably started to see the benefits after a couple months of working together. I felt like I was able to calm myself down when I was beginning to get anxious on the course which I found difficult in the past. I was suddenly able to get myself in the ‘zone’ much easier and if I didn’t quite get fully into the ‘zone’ feeling then I was very close and I was seeing much more consistent play on the course because of that.
4. How difficult is it to use the performance practices in the middle of a round?
GD: It’s pretty easy to use my performance practices during my rounds, although sometimes I do have to remind myself to use them consistently, but I have been improving on that and seeing the results. My caddie has been helpful in that regard too, he knows what I have been working on and can remind me about my practice if I happen to get into a bad mindset on the course.
5. Have you noticed a gradual improvement or something more seismic?
GD: I would say it’s been a gradual improvement over the last couple of years getting used to using my breathing and meditative state on the course. I have definitely seen a big difference in making more cuts on tour since I have started this work. Previously, I would get very nervous and anxious on a Friday before the cut was made and would miss lots of cuts just because my mind got the better of me.
Since working with Jayne, I have been able to let myself play golf instead of being wrapped up in my own thoughts. I also don’t experience the tight shoulders, hands and uneven breathing like I used to. I always felt like when I got nervous, I would lose my touch and feel because my head was somewhere else and my body felt tight, but now I have a way of dealing with those feelings which has been invaluable.
6. Many have commented that you seemed to be in the zone for the last three rounds of the Japan Classic; what was this like?
GD: It was an amazing feeling, I felt like I could just let myself play. I felt like my nerves didn’t get the better of me and I was completely in the moment. My mind wasn’t running away from me with thoughts of winning. I could just walk the fairways enjoying my time with my caddie. I felt like I didn’t have any negative thoughts come into my mind as I was completely in tune with my body and my swing. My senses were heightened, and I felt completely content with the situation, even though I was leading the golf tournament!
7. What clinched it for you to get the win?
GD: I think the 11th hole was the key to my final round. It was a very difficult hole where I made birdie and my playing partner who was close to me on the leaderboard at the time made a double bogey. Once this happened, I was pretty confident I could win as I didn’t see myself making many mistakes.
8. Will you continue with your performance practices in the future?
GD: Yes, I will. My performance practices have really helped me with my golf so I will definitely be continuing to work with Jayne, as I feel like her approach can help me reach my goals in the seasons to come.
9. What advice can you give to other golfers starting out on this path?
GD: I would say just to stick with the process. When you first start your Performance Practice it is difficult and you may be tempted to give up as it is not easy in the beginning. I think once you get past the first couple months of doing the work it begins to get easier. I would also say start small in terms of the time you spend in seated meditation or standing practice, and gradually increase the time as you get more used to it and it becomes part of your routine. Stick with it because it’s worth it!
I have had the best results of my career since working with Jayne so I can highly recommend doing her Chi Performance methods to enhance your time on the golf course.
