Keely Chiericato: Staying present, embracing pressure and balancing life beyond the game
Keely Chiericato: Staying present, embracing pressure and balancing life beyond the game
By Sean Dickson
Interviewing Keely Chiericato was a fascinating insight into the mindset of a ladies professional golfer, which is one that extends far beyond the physical mechanics of the sport. Our conversation delved into the mental strategies she employs, the challenges she faces, and the evolving nature of professional golf. What struck me most was her ability to balance high performance with the human side of competition, such as embracing mistakes, learning from experience, and understanding the importance of both preparation and presence.
From the very start of our conversation, Keely made it clear that staying present is one of the biggest lessons she’s learned over the years. Golf is a sport that demands patience and mental discipline, and early in her career, she struggled with getting ahead of herself. She recounted moments when she’d have a strong start in a tournament and immediately start thinking about winning, only to lose focus and fall short. Now, she actively works on staying in the moment. She uses distraction techniques to keep herself grounded, whether it’s thinking about what she’ll have for dinner, wondering what her dog is doing at home, or imagining a day out. These little mental tricks help her prevent overthinking and allow her to focus on each shot as it comes. She also avoids addressing a shot until she is physically at the ball, ensuring she doesn't mentally jump ahead in her round.
One of the most interesting aspects of our discussion was her approach to preparation. Keely emphasised that preparation isn’t just about the technical side of the game, hitting balls at the range or perfecting her swing, but also about mental and emotional regulation. She takes detailed notes on courses, snapping pictures of holes she finds particularly tricky and visualising her approach to them during practice sessions. By mentally placing herself in those situations before a tournament, she ensures that she isn’t seeing a tough shot for the first time under pressure. She also mimics difficult putts she might face in competition, rehearsing how to approach them before she steps onto the course. This visualisation technique allows her to develop strategies for overcoming challenges before they even arise.
Beyond visualisation, Keely also believes in training in both comfortable and uncomfortable zones. She simulates tournament pressure by creating difficult situations for herself, such as doing squats before hitting balls to mimic the shaky legs she might experience under stress. At the driving range, she imagines that all eyes are on her, intentionally putting pressure on herself to perform in front of an imagined audience. By practicing in an environment where she feels scrutinised, she conditions herself to handle the nerves that come with actual tournament play. Additionally, she ensures that her training sessions aren’t just about hitting ball after ball aimlessly but instead reflect real-world situations, such as taking time between shots, visualising a course, and making each practice swing count as if it were during competition.
Beyond preparation, Keely also opened up about the loneliness that can come with professional golf. Traveling to tournaments, staying in hotel rooms alone, and eating dinner solo are all part of the job, but they can take a toll. She talked about how crucial it is to have a strong support system and to stay connected with friends and family through FaceTime and social rounds of golf. It was refreshing to hear her perspective on how important it is to maintain a life outside of golf, something that many professional athletes struggle with. She now makes it a priority to explore new places when she’s traveling instead of simply spending all her time on the course. It’s this balance that has helped her continue to enjoy the sport without becoming consumed by it. More importantly, she recognises that preparation for big tournaments happens long before the event itself, not the night before. The real work is done in the lead-up to a competition, ensuring that when she arrives at a tournament, she is ready both physically and mentally. Trying to cram in extra preparation last minute only adds unnecessary stress, and she’s learned that trusting in the work she has already done is key to performing at her best.
At the same time, Keely also understands the importance of stepping away from golf and allowing herself to recharge. Playing social rounds with friends and family, going on walks, and enjoying downtime are all essential parts of maintaining balance. She’s come to realise that while golf is a huge part of her life, it’s not her entire identity. Taking time away from the game allows her to return with a fresh mindset and a renewed love for competition. However, she also strongly believes that success in professional sport requires discipline and effort. When it’s time to work, she puts in the necessary hours, ensuring she is prepared for every challenge that comes her way. It’s about finding the right balance, working hard when it matters but also knowing when to step back and enjoy life outside of the sport.
We also discussed the perfectionist tendencies that many golfers, including Keely, have. She admitted that she used to be extremely hard on herself, expecting perfection from every round and taking losses personally. Over time, she’s learned that winning or losing doesn’t define her. It’s just another part of the game. She now accepts that golf doesn’t have to be pretty, it’s about getting the ball in the hole, however that happens. By letting go of the need for perfection, she’s found that she actually plays her best golf when she’s not putting excessive pressure on herself.
One of my favorite parts of the interview was when Keely talked about "firsts", which are those moments in golf where you experience something for the first time and don’t know how to handle it. She recalled a time when she threw away a big tournament win and felt physically sick afterward. But rather than dwelling on the disappointment, she analysed what went wrong and worked with her coach to prepare for similar situations in the future. She even developed training exercises, like creating physical fatigue before hitting shots, to help her learn how to perform under pressure. This willingness to learn from failure rather than fear it is what makes her a great athlete.
Keely’s post-round analysis is just as detailed as her preparation. She takes notes in her yardage book after every round, making observations about what went well and what needs improvement. Whether it’s missing the green in the wrong place, misjudging her yardages, or leaving putts short, she documents it all. If it’s a technical issue, she might head straight to the range to work on it, but if she knows she did everything right and it simply wasn’t her day, she’s learned to let it go. This reflective practice ensures that she is always improving and making adjustments for the next round. Her notes help her spot patterns over time, allowing her to fine-tune her decision-making process and improve her approach to different courses. She doesn’t just analyse mistakes, she also notes what worked well so she can replicate those successes in the future.
As our conversation wrapped up, Keely left me with a piece of wisdom that perfectly encapsulates her outlook: "You never know when you’re going to hole your next shot." It’s a reminder that golf, like life, is unpredictable. The key is to stay present, keep learning, and trust the process. After talking with Keely, it’s clear that her success isn’t just about talent, it’s about mindset, preparation, and the ability to navigate the ups and downs of professional sport.
This interview was a testament to how much depth there is to elite-level golf beyond just swinging a club. Keely’s insights are valuable not just for golfers but for anyone striving to perform at their best under pressure. Her journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and an incredible love for the game.