First Tee Jitters

Many tour professionals have stated that the most nervous that they have ever been on a golf course is on the first tee of the Ryder Cup. Playing for their country and their
teammates with all eyes on them as they have to pull the club back and attempt to hit a fairway has to be an incredible experience. While most of us will never have this
opportunity, the first tee can still be an intimidating place to be.

Stepping onto the first tee can evoke a mix of excitement and nerves, which can lead a golfer to disrupt their normal process and focus on the wrong things. There are several
reasons that this happens.

In many cases, golfers feel intimidated that there are more people gathered around the first tee than normal. The first tee tends to be a gathering point which often includes
the starter, the next group of golfers and random others that are getting ready to play. In addition to this, golfers tend to feel that they are going to be judged by their
performance on that first tee shot. Just like the Ryder Cup example above, all eyes are usually on the golfer hitting, and this can be intimidating. The question is, what do we
do about this?

To manage first tee jitters, we need to recognize that pressure to perform or execute a shot is self inflicted. The reality is that most people that are standing around the first
tee or even those that are playing with you couldn’t care less where your golf ball goes. They are worried about themselves, and probably are hardly paying attention to you.

Second, we need to anticipate and expect how we will feel on the first tee and be proactive about having a plan to counter any nervousness. Nerves usually are a
byproduct of uncertainty. As a golfer, every golf shot is the same in that we truly do not know what the outcome is going to be until we strike the ball and it lands. So, we need
to focus on what we can control.

Here’s what we can control:

• What will you do on the first tee until it is your turn to hit?
  • Have a plan on what you are going to do, and how are you going to feel.
    Don’t leave it up to chance, have a plan on how this will play out
  • Keep this simple and be specific
    • Say hello to your playing partners
    • Get your ball and tee out of your bag, etc.

• Breathing
  • • Control your breathing
      • Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing the breath to fill your
        lungs, and then exhale gradually through your mouth. This simple
        act helps calm your nervous system, reducing tension and
        promoting a sense of calmness.
    • Focus on these breaths
• Routine
  • Have a consistent and organized pre-shot routine that includes getting
    your mind 100% focused on the shot at hand.
  • If you do this properly, the first tee shot will be just like any other golf shot.
    The exact same process
  • Establishing a consistent routine helps create a sense of familiarity
    and control, combating first-tee jitter

• Avoid focusing on result
  • Focus entirely on your process and trust that proces

Lastly, remind yourself that everyone on the course has experienced those first-tee nerves at some point. Embrace the challenge as an integral part of the game, and rather than dwelling on potential mishaps, focus on the opportunity to be successful on that first shot of the day.