 Played my worst round of golf ever Saturday, 1st tee near the bar patio in glorious sun in front of 40 or so people, pumped the first shot 30 yards straight right, flubbed the next 30 yards forward, next shot to 10 feet of the green (by the way it's a short par 3) walked off with a 6, rest of round didnt go great, could not stop desructive swing thoughts creeping in, 10th hole was nearly as bad when asked to play through with self doubt now ozzing from me, after seeing my first shank, the four ball descreetly moved behind their buggies for my next attempt, spent weekend reading Zen Golf and Golf is not a game of perfect, but still full of self doubt, Any one tried Hyponotism of NLP or similar, dont want to give up golf, but dont want to go through that again
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 Being a relative beginner I'm only just getting used to the so-called "first tee nerves". What's working for me is to simply accept the facts that i) from time to time I'm going to have a mare in front of a bunch of strangers ii) the vast majority, if not all, of those watching have done exactly the same and will sympathise if the mare rears its head. and iii) it's only a bl**dy game! No babies will die as a result of a duffed drive in front of a watching crowd.
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| Edited: 24/06/08 20:21 |
 If you have first tees jitters remember these 3 things:- 1. The people watching are only casually watching, they dont really care of the outcome, and most feel for you if you duff it. 2. They have ALL duffed it off the first tee themselves. All you are doing is joining a very large club of similar experienced golfers. 3. Take whatever club you have most confidence in regardless of length. The watchers will gain respect as you have the balls and the sense to do what they dont do.
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 Sorry to disappoint you but no-one cares whether you hit it 3 yards or 300. They're all too preoccupied with their own first tee shot. Just get up there and get on with it. Hope that helps 
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Some very good advice from earlier posts. Remember, you have nothing to prove to anyone. Try and develop a very simple pre-shot routine and do it for every single shot. That way, it will focus your mind on an action rather than an outcome and your mind should be a lot clearer. Also, don't think of it/call it first tee nerves.....try first tee energy or first tee excitement. Sounds daft, but nerves portrays negative feelings.
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 I find shouting "Bastard" helps a bit.
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Thanks for all the sound advice, I know its just a perspective thing and I just have to get some, will now stride confidently to the tee tingling with the excitment of the whole arena and proceed to deliver a deft 8 iron shot regardless of hole length
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 You will look back on this one day and realise its just part of the game - nerves never go away but they will lessen a lot with time. Even the best get them. As has been said - you are your own worst critic; your playing partners are all concentrating on their own game.
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Yes I know its all in my head, that why I seeking mental tips rather than to deconstrut my okish swing, well ok once I settle in to it, its amazing how fluid, accurate and satisifieing my 8th strokes are on any given hole, once I'm past the point of caring or hidden in the trees away from view
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think to your self u have the most hated person in front of u and that your going to hit him down the fareway that should take your mind of whats happening around you or ask phil tayler when there playing in front of thousands
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The first on my course is a par 3 also, the trick i use is to just think i'm on the driving range hitting an easy 7 iron....
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