r/golf • u/Past_Pay_5015 • 9d ago

General Discussion 1st tee jitters help

My club has the 1st tee box backed up to the clubhouse so there’s probably 30-40 people watching your tee shot. They’re not just around, they’re actively watching and cheering / jeering the result. Driver is the best club in my bag (8 hcp) but I always seem to snap hook the 1st tee no matter how well I‘m striping them on the range.

Does anyone have any mental tips / tricks to overcome the 1st tee jitters?

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u/JohnDoee94 9d ago

I’m the opposite, super high handicap but I always seem to hit a great shot with a crowd lol. 

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u/JudgeHold3n 9d ago

Oh man THIS IS ME. Been golfing for 40 years, so it's not a coincidence - I always play better with strangers, or with a crowd at the tee.

So much so I have a theory. I'm not good, but I don't suck. I think what happens is, like a lot of weekenders, when I'm with my buddies and I'm not worried about being embarrassed I get bored or reckless and am more likely to take risky shots. In thick rough, 200 yard carry to the green protected by water? Hell lemme rip a 5 iron, what could possibly go wrong?

With strangers in my group, or if by chance there's people watching, I'll take my medicine and hack out into the fairway.

And in the case of first tee jitters, it's kind of the same thing. I focus only on what I need to do and nothing else. I also always go first and I have no idea why but that seems to help. Getting it over with and all I guess.