Quick and Nerves

Question
I am a former All-American and mini-tour player, however I decided to trade my clubs in for awhile to serve my country. I am getting ready for the All-Armed Forces championship, but I've played only 2 tournaments since 2001.  I have been practicing my short game like crazy lately because I lost it when I quit.  I feel comfortable enough with it to compete, however my nerves are gone at the moment, particulary with my swing.  I am getting so quick at the top and can't seem to calm my swing down.  I go at it 150% even when I try to stay as smooth as possible. Do you have any advice about taming my tempo at the top?  Also, I can never remember getting so nervous in the past that I would shake over everything for the first few holes.  However, this is the dilemma I face now.  Any advice?  

Thanks,
Tim

Answer
hello tim and i am so sorry that i couldn't get back to you a little earlier...  its impressive that you were all-american...  so i am going to share with you my insight regarding your game.  in my opinion, you have gotten stronger and maybe even packed a few muscles.  and because you have not been playing, the chances are, you have lost that "rythem"  the thing is, you have to forget about the outcome of the shot. INSTEAD, focus more on your swing.  picture a nice, smooth swing in your head and JUST FORGET ABOUT THE BALL...  your desire to hit that ball well forces you to make that quick movement at the top and rush trhough the swing.  TRUST the fact that the ball will not go anywhere.  the ball stays where it is and ALL you have to do is make a nice, smooth swing.  concentrate on your swing rather than on the ball.  overcoming this "fear" that you won't hit the ball well is simply a hard feat.  its something that you have to do by yourself....  
however, i can try to help you to slow down you tempo.  think good players.  CANCEL out tiger woods and phil mickelson.  imagine ernie els, or fred couples or vijay singh.  i want you to go on youtube and look at their swing.  observe how slow and smooth it is.  put that image in your HEAD.  next time you go out on the range, pretend that YOU are the pro.  this thinking really helps my student as they "pretend" to be the pros...  you ARE ernie else when you grab that club.  so just try that.  thinking in a different manner really helps.  ANOTHER trick that can really you is putting your feet togther.  COMPELTEY together when you are swinging.....  then take a swing.  the chances are, you will lose balance as you swinging the club...  the only way to maintain that balance is to swing slower.  hit many balls this way and get the feel for a slow swing.  also, when you are taking practice swings, swing VERY slowly.  take about two of them...  step onto the ball and try to swing just the way that you have taken your practice swings.  ONE LAST THING.  wisper numbers when you are swinging.  they should ONE, TWO.  say one when you are going back and then two when you are making impact with the ball.  say the words slowly and you will sure to tone down your swing.  i want you to try ALL the things that i have mentioned and see which one works the best for you.  good luck with the tournaments.  and more questions is always welcomed.