Off The First Tee

"The odds of hitting a duffed shot increase by the square of the number of people watching." - Henry Beard

It couldn't have been said any better by Mr. Beard, that the level of nervousness on the first tee elevates when others are around.  Why is that so?

There is something about the first tee shot which seems to influence the day, the round, the front nine, or at least the first hole.  It is the getting started point which sets the focus and confidence for the next few shots.

Whether in front of a crowd with hundreds of people (not us), or three other friends in a foursome, any player experiences "first tee jitters."  The expectations you as a golfer put on yourself to perform well, along with the desire to impress other people, can make you over compensate for weakness or just plain break down in the swing.  Golfers prepare themselves physically and mentally to conquer the "first tee jitters".  On the practice tee is not where you just hit a few balls.  You should loosen up, stretch, visualize the shots you want to hit and mentally prepare yourself for the first tee.

I find that before I go pound balls on the range, a quick 10 min session of chipping balls in the practice area helps to get the fluids and juices going.  It's not about being precise and trying to chip in every shot or get it close to the pin, but it's about feel and concentration.  Chipping the ball brings in more focus that usual and it works the arms, wrists and hands to loosen up before you head to the range.  Give it a try the next time your preparing for an outing with the fellas.  Good luck off the first tee.

"One of the most fascinating things about golf is how it reflects the cycle of life.  No matter what you shoot - the next day you have to go back to the first tee and begin all over again and make yourself into something." - Peter Jacobsen