First Tee Nerves

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ShankyBoy

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Can anybody explain why you turn in to such a nervous wreck on the first tee?

For those that no longer fear the gaze of a thousand golfers (2-5 in reality) waiting to go next, what did you do fix this and nail your first shot of the day?

Is it just a matter of not caring as much or being even more intense? I just can't seem to get rid of that anxious feeling and generally the 1st shot of the day is my worst.

I should add this is only in front of people you aren't really comfortable with, friends and family it's the opposite, you look forward to it!
 
Hit 25 balls on the range before you play.

I never used to do this and I would always dread the first tee shot due to the 2 courses 1st tees, putting green, and bar terrace all being in the same area. there would be at least 20 people knocking about.

Get on the range for a few balls, loosen up and get the bad shots out the way. Then when you step up to the 1st tee just forget everyone that is there and do what you did 10 minutes earlier on the range
 
Just know in your mind that everyone watching has hit many a poor 1st tee shot, concentrate on the ball, feel loose, and don't try and beat the world long drive record
 
Hook your first OOB... pressure off!

Really though, I used to be quite bad with this but the more comps I play the less its a factor. Nothing else helped me. Lots of people say things like "its only another game of golf". I now think like that but only because of time and playing a few more comps.
 
Just have to think to yourself that there really is nothing to be nervous about - what's the worst that can happen ?
 
I tend to get wobbly but concentrate like mad on the key weakness of my swing. For me, it is keeping a straight left arm. I just think of keping my arm straight and swing as gently as I can. No other thoughts. It is a level of concentration I can't keep up all round but I really focus in on it for that first hole. I don't try to get uber distance, just somewhere up the middle a semi respectable distance. 180-190yds will do me on the first as long as it is straight. After that you relax.

Find the key part of your swing and just concentrate on getting that right. I still get wobbly but I find I get away successfully better now than I have ever done.
 
ShankyBoy said:
Can anybody explain why you turn in to such a nervous wreck on the first tee?

For those that no longer fear the gaze of a thousand golfers (2-5 in reality) waiting to go next, what did you do fix this and nail your first shot of the day?
Click to expand...

I play plenty of tournaments and still get jittery before the first tee.

Firstly, If you don't hit balls before you tee off, as a matter of course, there's no help, just take what comes.

But assuming you do, I always hit the last 15 or so with the club I'll be playing off the first. I always hope it will be a driver, but if not just picture your whole routine on the first tee and hit 10-15 shots like that on the range with the club you'll be using. If you flush a couple before you run out of balls, just leave them and go to the tee.

It's really worked for me.
 
Basically your nerves are because you care what people who barely know you or dont know you at all think about your golf swing and your shot. If you dont care what they think then there is no reason to have any nerves
 
fundy said:
Basically your nerves are because you care what people who barely know you or dont know you at all think about your golf swing and your shot. If you dont care what they think then there is no reason to have any nerves
Click to expand...

No way.
You get anxious because you care about your own result.
It's normal, we can't help it but we can help how we deal with it.
 
Three said:
No way.
You get anxious because you care about your own result.
It's normal, we can't help it but we can help how we deal with it.
Click to expand...

if thats the case why do people like the op get it worse on the first tee in front of the clubhouse with other people watching?

btw its actually both in a lot of cases but for some the first causes far more problems than the latter
 
fundy said:
if thats the case why do people like the op get it worse on the first tee in front of the clubhouse with other people watching?

btw its actually both in a lot of cases but for some the first causes far more problems than the latter
Click to expand...

Because the 1st tee is rarely 200 yards away hidden behind some bushes :D
It's because it's the start of the round.

How many people get exactly the same anxiety teeing off the 1st hole when it's the tenth hole of their round, ie they started on the 10th? Hardly anyone I would say, it's mainly about the 1st shot of the round, not necessarily the location.
 
Agree with all the comments about hitting balls before you start - I like to "find" my driver swing on the range so I can hit it confidently on the first tee.

I don't get too nervous at most events, but on the occasions that I do I concentrate on a smooth swing, solid contact and try to convince myself that I don't care where it goes. Don't always hit my best or longest drives that way but rarely seem to hit a disastrous one.
 
Na, no one gets nervous on there own with a clear run on front or behind them. Its the "other people" factor imo.

I am a way better golfer than I can prove... On my own I play some really great stuff.
 
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