Rob Bright’s monthly golf column (October, 2010)

This month, he writes about nerves on the first tee.

It is not a surprise to hear that many golfers fear the first tee shot of the day.

Many a first tee in this country is situated right in front of an imposing clubhouse and, of course, there are always people milling around waiting to tee off. If you add to that a player not warming up, not playing for two weeks, or even a tough opening shot; you have a recipe for disaster.

Many players’ first tee nerves stem from a fear of failure, mainly due to how they will be perceived by others. I can tell you from first-hand experience that, as you become better at the game, it doesn’t mean the nerves will magically disappear.

Just think, how would you approach the first tee shot if you knew that the shot would be a bad one but that you would go on to have a great game, it would be no big deal would it?

Remember this, no one really cares where you hit your shot, anyway. Those milling around the first tee are too concerned with what they have to do, those watching from the comfort of the clubhouse afar, are not really bothered one way or the other – they certainly won’t come rushing out of the clubhouse to congratulate you if you bang one down the middle.

Acknowledge the first tee shot as just another shot in the round. Prepare for it and then concentrate on what you have to do i.e. – decide where you want the ball to finish, what club are you going to use, pick a target and make a committed swing.

If you do this, you will see that little white pill of yours flying down the first fairway more often than not.