Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Have you ever stepped up to the first tee and felt like your heart was pumping out of its chest? Maybe you started looking down the fairway, wondering how you would ever get the ball to land there. First, tee nerves are a real thing, and many golfers let these nerves get the best of them. That often results in a poor first drive, a bogey or worse on the first hole, and a generally dissatisfied feeling starting your round. Here’s the good news: you can overcome first-tee nerves. Try following these 3 simple tricks.
Trick Number 1: Swing Hard As You Practice
As you go through your pre-shot routine, you will probably feel the nerves start to get worse. You may get anxious and notice your hands trembling a bit.
A great way to get rid of these nerves is through movement. When you take your practice swings, take a few at 110 to 120% of your normal speed.
This speed will release the built-up tension and adrenaline in your forearms and wrists. As you do this, your swing will become more relaxed and controlled.
It’s just a great way to release some of that extra energy before you get up to the ball and have to take your actual shot.
Trick Number 2: Calm and Consistent Tempo
The last thing you want to do is slow your swing down. In general, you’ll never play your best golf with a slow swing. However, thinking about a more controlled golf swing with better tempo is a good swing, though.
Once your tension is out of your hands and arms, start focusing on maintaining a smooth tempo. Think about taking two counts to swing the club back and one to swing it through the ball.
You can even count as you take your practice swing right before you hit.
When I look at tempo, I also consider my balance. If my tempo is great, my balance is often perfect. As soon as the tempo becomes less smooth, I may feel weight moving towards the toes or the heels, throwing off the solid impact position.
Trick Number 3: Don’t Let Tension Build Up
Finally, as you are waiting for your turn to take your first shot there is a good chance tension will build up in your arms and even your legs. This tension often causes you to try and manipulate the clubs with your hands instead of using your larger muscles.
The best ways to release tension are to move around and to actively think about releasing tension.
While standing on the first tee, make sure you stay active and move around. In addition, focus on letting tension flow right from the top of your head down through your toes. Think through this process slowly and feel your body relax as your tension releases.
Make sure your mindset is more about accuracy and control when taking that first swing. You want to make good, solid contact.
Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to hit a perfect shot. A good shot in the fairway is all you need on that first tee box.
Additional Tips
Once you have this process down, you should start having better luck with your tee shots. Just in case, here are a few additional tips that could help you. . .
- Pick a club you are confident with; if it’s not the driver, that’s fine.
- Practice this shot on the driving range before you head out to the first tee. Visualize yourself on the tee box.
- Remember that everyone on the tee box is just as nervous as you are.
- Standing still creates unnecessary tension, so keep moving as much as possible!
- Don’t slow down! Swing speed is your friend. It won’t turn out well if you slow down and baby this shot.
- If you get the chance, head out to the course late one afternoon and hit a few shots off the first tee box until you feel comfortable and confident in your shot.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you should be ready to tee off. Don’t worry so much about this shot; get it in the fairway and move on. So many golfers let the first hole ruin the rest of the round, which is unnecessary. Stay focused, get it in the fairway, and don’t stand still for too long!
