First tee nerves

Khamelion

Khamelion

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How do you overcome first tee nerves?

Not on your average bounce match, that doesn't count, that's just a relaxing walk with mates. What I mean is society events with a few people watching?

I know I'm going get ome stick for this, but this coming Sunday a few of us are having a round at Cleveland, I'm told that as the newbie :mmm: i'm first off and I fear that there will be a small gallery watching well potential 19 other people. I've never had that kind of audience before and top, thin, fat, hook, slice, sky and a Hilary are all coming to mind.

I'm thinking of ear defenders and blinkers to hide the laughing crowd as I address the ball, so how do you lose the crowd and nerves?
 
Pure shot routine, stick to it, rip it

Biggest jitters ever was bkackmoor in 2012, out bin one of the early groups there must have been 30 wish forumers watching on,
 
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I played my first comp recently and was crazy nervous on the first tee with quite a few people hanging around watching. Somehow I hit a decent drive and eased in to it after that. On the tee, focus on hitting a positive strike and pick a target, banish any negative thoughts and like Gibbo says, maybe a 3/4 swing, but committ to it. Failing all that, whiskey.
 
When I first started playing in comps I'd take hybrid or long iron off the tee to get me started, there's no shame in it, you can claim that's how your attacking the hole.

I think just take you time, do your normal routine, take a deep breath before you swing and feel relaxed. Try and block out anyone watching and swing easy, don't try to leather it.

I don't have trouble off the first anymore, and I normally have a gallery of people watching from the balconey on the clubhouse, it's good when you get a cheer for hitting a good shot.
 
Try and get loose on practice ground or in the net beforehand and stick to your pre shot routine,positive thoughts and nice smooth swing.tee it high and smash it with the driver.
 
Oddsocks said:
On a flip what's the worst that can happen if you knob it 30 yards, everyone writes you of as a noon contender, pressure off ;)
Click to expand...

There is worse that could happen knob it 4 yards fail to make ladies tea and play rest of hole with your own piece out! Fortunately not done that myself YET likely happen on a cold day at chart hills next month!

My advice do what you always do and just take your time doing it.
 
Fader said:
There is worse that could happen knob it 4 yards fail to make ladies tea and play rest of hole with your own piece out! Fortunately not done that myself YET likely happen on a cold day at chart hills next month!

My advice do what you always do and just take your time doing it.
Click to expand...

Never get your own piece out on the ladies' tee. I did it once and got a 2-year ban and frostbite.
 
Look at it this way.
You'll either hit a good shot and be as happy as Larry.
Or you'll make a complete knob of yourself and bring amusement to 19 other people!

Are you selfish, or do you think of the enjoyment of others first?
 
Crow said:
Look at it this way.
You'll either hit a good shot and be as happy as Larry.
Or you'll make a complete knob of yourself and bring amusement to 19 other people!

Are you selfish, or do you think of the enjoyment of others first?
Click to expand...

Par 3 start, so I'm going for a HIO, which will probably mean a Hilary, the ball bouncing back off tee marker in front and back into my nuts.
 
Nervous much.... haha!

I 100% guarentee it will be no worse than my tee at NUGC in our december meet, I swung everything at it and it came of the inside of the heel... went about ten yards forward and 20 to the left!!

My advice after that: Don't worry about it theyre all great lads and they won't make any comments to your face haha ;)
 
If you have a preshot routine then go with it like it's any other shot. I have worked on mine for 9 months and it's totally natural now as I walk up to each shot. I haven't put one OOB off the first in comp for 5 months now (touch wood!)

Pick your club, trust it, trust your swing and go for it.
 
It's not something you can overcome its just learning to deal with it.
Try stay relaxed and just go through your ore shot routine thinking its just another par 3 tee shot, don't try play the hero shot got steady for middle and once it's out of the way you'll relax and enjoy.
 
Get there early and watch as many go out as possible. Chances are someone will have a shocker. That will then relax you and make you feel better.

And if you do hit a shocker then remember you are doing everyone else watching a favour. As I can guarantee a lot of them will not be thinking 'useless tosser' but 'thank god for that, that makes me feel better'. I certainly do when I see someone dribble one 20 yards, and it then relaxes me. I know it's all a bit schadenfreude, but that's just how my brain works.
 
Nicklaus once admitted first tee nerves.......we all have it.
Ignore the few brave souls above trying to convince themselves they do not.
Best advice, do not grip tight, check your forearm muscles are slack before you hit the shot.
 
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