First tee nerves

[Valleygolfer]

Honestly no one really cares except for you. We all hit poor shots in golf whether or not people are watching. Think about yourself around the first tee. Most of the time maybe a few guys are actually paying attention. Laughing or ridiculing the guy who hits a poor shot only angers the golf gods...

I just focus on mechanics. The first drive is usually the better ones of the day for me if people are around because I am trying to block out all the noise, focus on hitting the ball and having good swing balance.

[paininthenuts]

21 hours ago, Asmanning95 said:

I was playing an inter club mixed foursomes match on Sunday and I duffed my 3 wood off the 1st tee about 30 yards (so did the other guy). There was a bit of a crowd up to watch as it was a semi-final but nothing crazy (30 people perhaps???). Anyway I was relatively calm once the round got going and myself and my partner won our match, however the team lost which was disappointing. It got me wondering though, what gets your heart racing and blood pumping, the first tee?, a short chip?, 3 foot putts?. What do you do to combat the nerves or do you just go with it. Have you ever been gripped by fear Jason Day style?

My last two comps I put my first ball into the field by the side of the fairway. Had to play 3 off of the tee on a very long par 4. 

36 minutes ago, Valleygolfer said:

Honestly no one really cares except for you.

This is a good point. Ask yourself, what do you think when someone makes a bad shot. Do you instantly think the player is a poor golfer, an idiot, or a beginner. No, you just think he played a bad shot, and that he is probably going to play a good one next !!

[Patch]

5 minutes ago, paininthenuts said:

My last two comps I put my first ball into the field by the side of the fairway. Had to play 3 off of the tee on a very long par 4. 

This is a good point. Ask yourself, what do you think when someone makes a bad shot. Do you instantly think the player is a poor golfer, an idiot, or a beginner. No, you just think he played a bad shot, and that he is probably going to play a good one next !!

What negative thoughts golfers have are of other golfers who hit poor shots doesn't mean much. Actually all it means is they have forgotten about all their own poor shots. 

[Patch]

I actually had a few 1st tee jitters yesterday. It was the first actual golf I have played in a few weeks. The cause of my apprehension was not others around me, but how my shoulder would feel swinging a club for real after a minor repair and rehab. Doc said I was good to go. Rehab lady said I was ready. My wife said to try it out. Still felt a little scared, but after 9 holes, all felt good, and no discomfort this morning. I suspect the thought of reinjury will subside quickly. In yesterday's play it was a swing thought. 

[Zekez]

Others may have mentioned it, but in reality no one else cares if you duff your tee shot on the 1st hole.  Everyone else is focusing on THEIR own tee shot forthcoming.

So i try to remember this when at the first tee.

Two weeks ago in my league i topped my first tee shot and it went about 60 yards.  i hit the next 6 in the fairway!

[Asmanning95]

2 hours ago, Valleygolfer said:

Honestly no one really cares except for you.

 

5 minutes ago, Zekez said:

Others may have mentioned it, but in reality no one else cares if you duff your tee shot on the 1st hole.

Normally I don't care about those around or get affected by those waiting to play, just on Sunday all of those people were there specifically to watch the matches so it was just something I'm not used to. The last match a few weeks ago I played had about half the number watching and i ripped it down the middle, so as I said, not something I necessarily suffer from on a regular basis, was just a new experience. Thanks for all of the feedback though, really helpful!

[Kalnoky]

4 hours ago, Asmanning95 said:

Interesting what everyone is saying about embracing the feeling. 

Yeah, that sure isn't me... I don't like being jacked up. I do everything better when I'm calm.

I noticed nobody has suggested to simply play more and practice less as a way to combat nerves. I'm beginning to think range time is a bit overrated. I have practiced very well for a week and yesterday played awful. I can try to simulate a live round on the range, but it's a very poor substitute. 

 

 

[Asmanning95]

3 minutes ago, Kalnoky said:

I noticed nobody has suggested to simply play more and practice less as a way to combat nerves. I'm beginning to think range time is a bit overrated.

I spend very little time at the range. I try to play in the club competition every Saturday and then might get out on another day, if I have other time to practice I'd rather do it on the course with friends. Warming up before a round on the putting green and in the net is about all the "practice" I do.

[Groucho Valentine]

I remember getting first tee jitters back when i first started playing in tournaments. Now i dont get them at all. But my heart gets racing when I'm on the first green during a tournament for some reason. Like my hands shake. I dont know why it happens on the green, but after that first putt they go away. 

[DaveP043]

47 minutes ago, Kalnoky said:

Yeah, that sure isn't me... I don't like being jacked up. I do everything better when I'm calm.

The thing is, even the most experienced players ( @Groucho Valentine to name one)  feel some kind of excitement, or jitters, or nervousness, or pressure, or whatever term you want to use.  We feel this because we're in a situation that means something to us, something more than a random casual round of golf.  I think its important to accept that feeling, its not any kind of failing on your part, its natural.  Once you've accepted it, you can deal with it, in whatever way works for you.  I know a few people who simply don't like that feeling, and the choose to play very few competitions of any kind.