You've got to have the ability to adapt and overcome, and it's the same in golf - you never know what is going to happen.
First tee nerves can wobble even the sturdiest legs, which is why Jamie Harris will be striving to stay loose as he makes his PGA Cup debut at The Carrick.
The pro, who has recently moved to Nevill Golf Club, is one of six rookies in the Great Britain & Ireland team but hopes his martial arts training will help him cope with the pressure.
Marathon running Harris is an expert in Jui-Jitsu and believes one of its key sayings 'adapt and overcome' is perfect for the vagaries of matchplay.
"The main thing I have got out of Jui-Jitsu is understanding the importance of mental strength," he said.
"There is an old saying in ju-jitsu that you've got to have ability to adapt and overcome, and it's the same in golf you never know what is going to happen and you're always getting stuff thrown your way so you've just got to learn to deal with it, adapt and overcome.
"The big thing is the importance of being relaxed. Tension really is detrimental to your performance. It's like with putting. I've read Bob Rotella's book in which he says the best putters putt as though it doesn't matter if they miss and that's the best way to putt. If you get all tense about it, it's no good."
Harris qualified for the PGA Cup on the back of a blistering final round 67 in the teeth of a gale at Dundonald Links in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.