1st Tee Jitters

bluetoon

bluetoon

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Was wondering if anyone else suffers from 1st Tee Jitters on competition rounds.

Played Sat competition and was quite relaxed pre start. Fine in the club house, practice area and putting green.

Started walking to the 1st Tee, them suddenly the jitters started, heart racing, Legs feel wobbly, palpitations etc. Only lasted a minute or so until the banter started on the tee then became quite relaxed. Managed to shoot 76 for a .6 cut. :D

Our 1st is an intimidating hole off the medal. Dog leg left, 180yards carry, anything weak or left is in the cabage anyone bailing right has a bogey start. Ideal shot is a strong Draw.

So do you still get the Jitters on the first and how long do they last.?
 
Every time!

Started this weekends round with a mssive hit, sadly right across onto the 9th fairway... We were one of the first groups out so there were a lot of spectators aswell.

Thankfully they also saw my 8 iron to 4 feet for my second shot which calmed me down!
 
Re: 1st Tee Jitters

I dont feel nervous,however yesterday i hit my worst shot ever off the first,embarrasing.But generally im ok off the first its just another shot.Just relax and try to make a smooth swing.
 
Re: 1st Tee Jitters

never get first tee jitters, but last month saw the best cock up known to man. Id picked up the r11 on saturday after great results on the trackman instore at direct golf.

Standing on the first tee with my nice new shiney white stick, in my nice new TM bag (from a fortnight prior) With a prospective buyer in the club house watching whats going on with the course.

Practice swing - mega, felt lovely.
Another for safety - felt better

Pre shot routine on... set myself up... and almosted missed the ball completely, straight out the heel of the club and bumbled it about 20 yards.

Scraped a bogey 6 as our first is a par 5 from deep cabbage left just short of O/B, but ego was massively dented.
 
Re: 1st Tee Jitters

I used to be a terrible bag of nerves, so much so that the 1st tee jitters would still be very evident until probably the 6th or 7th.

These days I rarely suffer. The only time I get jittery is every year at Monte Rei during our annual trip because I know just how tough the course ahead of me is, and the starter, despite being a lovely fella, is the sort who just makes me nervous. I really don't know why!
 
Re: 1st Tee Jitters

I don't get nervous because of people watching or anything like that, but I always feel a bit jittery because it's the first shot of the day and the swing isn't in rhythm yet.
Duffed both first tee shots at Woodhall, even though I'd been on the range before Sundays round. Still felt the same.
 
Re: 1st Tee Jitters

I am always happier if there is a bit of a queue in front of me on the tee. You can normally guarantee that at least one person is going to hit a duff one in front of the crowd and that calms me down. That said, not as nervous as I used to be, once you have thinned one into the ladies tee marker and had to play your second from the practice nets behind the first tee having had to move the queue and all their bags, anything else is an improvement.
 
Have been playing competitions since i was a junior and can truthfully say i have never looked forward to the 1st tee shot in a medal etc. The thing is i don't know what i worry about as the adrenaline kicking in seems to have a positive effect and 9/10 i hit it fine. Maybe i should look on the way i feel on the 1st tee as a plus - without that adrenaline could i be looking at a worse shot? :D
 
It is interesting to read Jack Nicklaus stating that he NEVER stands on the first tee at St Andrews without his legs turning to Jelly!

If it is good enough for the BIG man it is OK for us lesser mortals to experience that same feeling!
 
I used to get nervous like most people , but not anymore. I just get on with it and leave the nerves for others. Let them worry about stuff and you've got one over on them before you even start.

Played a big inter club comp yesterday and the tee was packed with players and spectators. Smashed one about 30 yards short of the green. (shame it was a par 3) not really :D
 
Reminds me of a bit of Sports Psychology I used to do:

Need to Achieve (NACH)- These are the people that thrive on a challenge.

Need to Avoid Failure (NAF)- These people tend to avoid challenges because they do not want to risk failing.

In football Goalkeepers and Defenders are NAF- Ie don't screw up and make a mistake to cost a result. Strikers are NACH- don't care about missing just want the glory... Your mindset on the first tee dictates your personality in golf... The NACH only think "I want to smash this straight down the middle to show everyone I'm the best" NAF are thinking "Please don't scuff, please don't scuff!"

As I've felt many of times... I'm NAF!
 
Need to Avoid Failure (NAF)- These people tend to avoid challenges because they do not want to risk failing.
Click to expand...

I'm a NAF...that's sure, but I don't agree that *we* don't take on challenges afraid of the risk of failure. I take on challenges all the time.
 
PS.

I get a little nervy on the 1st tee, whether it's a big comp or a bounce game. I don't let it get to me though; what's the worst that can happen?

Actually, I found that out today, I hooked it straight off the course and thought "I really need to be a little more focussed next time" :D
 
Hit a horrid toppy hook thing about 120 yards into the longish rough in the medal yesterday. Recovered to hit the green for two and then three putted. I do get nervous. I'm a worrier by nature and so even if I've got a great tempo on the warm up I'll always be worried about my swing not being good enough. It all goes once I hit the first decent one of the day (hopefully by the 2nd tee).
 
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