Breath Control Works on Tour!

Here’s an article about some of the work we do..

Andrew Dodt breathes life into Tour ambitions
The Australian September 03, 2010 9:07AM

TAKE a deep breath and allow Andrew Dodt to explain how something as simple as breathing turned him into a winner on the European PGA Tour.

“It’s just controlling your emotions,” Dodt said.

“If you concentrate on your breathing you’re more in control. It sounds simple but you have to do it.”

When Dodt talks about his transformation from farmer’s son to tournament winner, breathing plays a prominent role. As does his association with sports psychologist Andrea Furst, who he first encountered when they were both stationed at the Queensland Academy of Sport.

“She’s big on routine and breathing, and switching off between shots – breathing while you’re walking to each shot,” Dodt said.

“I’m mentally stronger definitely. I am probably still the same player but I know I can compete out here and win out here.

“The last couple of years we have been working on it pretty hard and managed to have some success.”

Dodt’s career took off earlier this year when he won the Avanthe Indian Masters. That victory guaranteed him two years on the European tour – three if you count 2010 – and forced him to re-assess his plans.  Dodt had been eying off the US PGA Tour but that goal is on hold as he concentrates on establishing himself in Europe. Yesterday he shot an even par 71 in the opening round of the Omega European Masters at Crans Sur Sierre, a course in the Swiss Alps.

“It’s a far cry from the family farm at Gatton – about 60 minutes from Brisbane.  “Dad is a farmer,” Dodt said.  “He is pretty busy on the farm. They’re starting to wind down a bit.  That was hard work growing up but wouldn’t change it.

“I haven’t really gone out and splurged on anything. It’s just the little things we can afford to do now, like flying business class. I don’t even own a car. I will fly my parents over this year and next year.  “I will give back to them because they got me to where I am today.”

Long-term, the PGA Tour remains an ambition.  “I have always wanted to play on the PGA Tour,” he said.  “I have three years here so I will be 27. If I can be on the PGA Tour by 2012, that would be a goal. I think I will play over here for three years. Why not?  “It’s the second biggest tournament in the world. I like how you can play a tournament each week in a different country.”