First round jitters!

[SwinginCaveman]

The weather is FINALLY clearing up over here. Just a little wet from some rain, but definitely playable. I think I may be going out for my first round tomorrow or Thursday. I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous. I re-dedicated myself over the winter and really became a student of the game. I have a lot of confidence going into this year, but that first round is always a little nerve racking.

What do you guys do to relax before you hit the first tee?

Also, what is the most important thing to do when playing the first round of the season? I would figure consistency and patience. Anything else?

[n3xt]

Caveman, I think the most important thing would be to make sure you stretch well before you start swinging the club, and by that I mean make sure you take a few practice swings at the range before you start swinging on the course. On the course, I would say just be aware of yourself and your game. Try not to overanalyze anything, and make sure that your becoming a serious student of the game does not translate into multiple swing thoughts. Just take each hole as it comes, pick out small targets, swing easy, and enjoy being out on the course. After the round over a cold one you can assess where your game sits and see what you need to spend some practice time working on. Have fun tomorrow or Thursday and let us know how you felt about it. I have a tee time on Thursday, weather here today is 80 degrees with some wind, but there is a 60% chance of Snow tomorrow night with a high Thursday of 46. Probably not going to happen, but the first tournament of the season is Saturday when we should be back in the low 70's

David C.
N3XT

[Dent]

Just relax man, its all about having fun and giving yourself the confidence that your gonna play good the whole year from your first round. You are going to be so excited when you get there the nervousness won't kick in. It always happens to me, and when I make a good shot, It feels like I can shoot the best round of my life the first day because i've been away for it so long. Just relax, talk with your playing partner and joke around a bit, It takes your mind off of it.

[golf_junkie27]

I've been playing golf with my cousin. He's a doctor and he's got some hilarious stories. He'll usually tell me one, crack me up and I'm relaxed.

That's my advice to you, concentrate on something funny or relaxing.

As for expectations, don't have any. Concentrate on making good contact, every swing. The rest will take care of itself.

[BASHERBAKER69]

A NICE BAR OF CHOCOLATE USUALLY SORTS ME OUT. I know people who get partially drunk before they play to help the 'nerves'.

[walk18]

Remember to have fun and enjoy the game. Be glad to be out there, and beware advice from 27.3 handicaps.

[Dent]

  walk18 said:

Remember to have fun and enjoy the game. Be glad to be out there, and beware advice from 27.3 handicaps.

I find the advice given by N3XT was great advice, I wouldn't put his handicap into consideration on this one. I think anyone no matter what their handicap should consider what he said also.

Just because he has a high handicap doesn't mean he doesn't know anything about golf and the mentality of it.

[walk18]

  Dent said:

I find the advice given by N3XT was great advice, I wouldn't put his handicap into consideration on this one. I think anyone no matter what their handicap should consider what he said also.

I just meant beware in general, not that it was bad advice, but in general I think it's safe to say someone struggling to break 100 hasn't found a lot that works for them. Not trying to be mean, we've all been there at the beginning, I'm just sayin..

[RX Phoenix]

I just went out for the 1st time this season and here's what I learned . . . got to hit the driving range for some serious work pre-round to get the rust off especially with the driver. As for chipping and putting, don't worry about it the 1st round, it's not going to be there, but if you can pound the driver in the fairway you'll feel OK and look forward to the year. The short game will come along later. You will hit a few bad shots, just shrug it off, don't expect too much. Stay hydrated, have fun, it's the same game as before.

[Serenity Now]

Lower your expectations. Some of my best rounds were when I just went out and played golf. The more you anticpate, the more dissapointed you get when you hit that bad shot at a crucial time in your round. have fun

[obsessedgolfer]

i dont really take the first couple rounds of the season very seriously. meanng i tkae a couple mulligins to losen up the swing. i would also recomend not keepong score it will put to much presure o yourself.

[meeks7]

I always like to hear some good music before I tee off and just worry about good ball striking for the round

[StrayCat]

  SwinginCaveman said:

The weather is FINALLY clearing up over here. Just a little wet from some rain, but definitely playable. I think I may be going out for my first round tomorrow or Thursday. I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous. I re-dedicated myself over the winter and really became a student of the game. I have a lot of confidence going into this year, but that first round is always a little nerve racking.

You're a 15 and asking this question? WTF????

Is this some early season tourney? I doubt it. Go hit some balls, man. Spring has sprung, the grass has riz. Us northern clime folks have been waiting 6 months for this!! Go have some fun!!!!

[nykfan4life]

I got this. Unfortunately for me, my first round my my HS tryouts.

[SwinginCaveman]

All really good advice. Thanks guys!

I think the biggest reason for the nerves is that I didn't take golf too seriously last year. I didn't know as much of the technical aspect of it and kinda played just to play.

This year I'm taking a much different approach. Many hours were logged reading magazines and watching the GC, and I have been to the range everyday for the last 10 days. I figure I don't wanna go out there before I've shaken off some rust.

I think the first tee shot is gonna be the clincher. If I hit a great tee shot on the first hole, all the nerves will be gone. If it's sketchy, the nerves will grow a bit and will continue until I make a good swing.

I've been on a strict stretching routine for a couple weeks now. My dad actually got me into yoga so it only took about a week to get limber, now it's just a matter of maintaining it. I never realized how much of a factor that played into it. Endurance needs some polishing, but golf carts help, and power is where it needs to be, so the actual physical aspect of it is covered.

All in all, some really good advice. I appreciate it and I'll let you know how the round goes.

[JaY_B]

  walk18 said:

Remember to have fun and enjoy the game. Be glad to be out there, and beware advice from 27.3 handicaps.

Don't be an a** hole, you play off 7, that's not that impressive a handicap to be honest, your advice is probably as good as some one off a 27.3 handicap.

[ugapug5150]

  walk18 said:

Remember to have fun and enjoy the game. Be glad to be out there, and beware advice from 27.3 handicaps.

His advice was a hell of a lot more useful than yours. I can assure that when my handicap is lower (and it will be), I won't make jackass remarks like yours to struggling players.

[SwinginCaveman]

Alright went out and played 9 this afternoon. Not a good day. I didn't get to hit any balls on the range as the course I played at didn't have one, and I quickly slipped into old habits. Right arm was bending at the top causing me to come down inside out and push the ball. Did an alright job of getting up and down on some ocassions but I was really hoping to have a solid round without facing any prior swing issues.

I'm going to go out tomorrow and try it again. I went by myself so I could concentrate but it was very busy so they stuck me with some random player who didn't make me all that comfortable. Was always standing in my sight, talking on his cell phone, coughing, laughing, cussing etc.

Not a complete failure today, but I'll let you know how round number 2 goes.