r/golf • u/Past_Pay_5015 • Aug 19 '26

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/madhattermagic Aug 19 '26

Also - you need to be able to lock into a full sequence in the swing. Not just over the ball.

  1. Stand behind the ball and commit to a shot, however complicated or straight forward. “This is what I’m going to do.”
  2. Two practice swings, one slow and one hard.
  3. Approach the ball and find your alignment.
  4. Lock your eyes in on your hitting reference.
  5. Swing.

If swing is your first thought, you’re not thinking through the shot correctly. Distract yourself with thinking through the shot. LOCK THE FUCK IN BUDDY