HOW ADHD CAN AFFECT YOUR GAME

Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins discovered something about herself recently that made everything make sense. She reveals how ADHD affects golf and life...

- Katie Dawkins

Women are busy for so many reasons. It’s the way we like to be and we are damn good at managing our lives. But my efficiency in getting a long list of stuff done has often been sketchy, with newer tasks and immediate deadlines often taking priority. As a child, I struggled with confidence; I was a high achiever but the tiniest bit of criticism floored me. My mind was messy and social situations often saw me panic and say something quirky. I was labelled a weirdo and bullied.

Golf was my safe place. I could be me. I loved pressure situations and would always perform well when challenged in the moment. I loved proving people wrong. But if I had to plan for a big competition, I’d find myself trying to ignore it or searching for ways to pull out.

I was a capable player, but I often lost focus. I’d be in a fog on the practice ground, wafting from one area of my game to another. The repetition of hitting the same shot over and over didn’t stimulate me. I was happier playing a few holes or doing inventive short-game practice. Each different challenge kept my attention and as my short game improved, I flourished, winning multiple junior events and awards.

As I headed into adulthood and started working, getting busier and busier and then becoming a mum, I found myself getting frustrated. I felt I was moving sideways rather than forward with tasks. I became overwhelmed. I’d have a fuzzy head and I was unable to focus on one task for long enough to complete it. It was like having 50 TV channels in my mind and someone else had the remote.