[NiliSpuppypax]

i actually like when people watch me because i like to show off my skillz. but really i dont get nervous but it actually makes me play better

[Charryith]

First-tee jitters really don't bother me. Like many have already said, watch long enough and you see plenty who mess up their first shots. I can chunk it off the thee or putt it far left or far right or somewhere in between. Most of the time my first tee shot is playable, somewhere! So that's pretty good isn't it? It might be in the rough or I might have to ship it out from the trees, but usually I am hitting the same ball I teed off with! Usually.

[mas-dkt-sive]

Jeff Sluman tells the story about playing at the Masters after winning the PGA the previous year. He was announced as reigning PGA Champion and then topped his drive 50 yards down the first fairway. He said he almost ran to the ball and hit just to get out of there and limit his embarrassment.... If the pros can do it, why should we worry about it.

[paulaglober]

OK, please allow me to paint a portrait for you: It's Saturday morning. The course is insanely crowded. Your foursome is finally up after having waited a half hour for groups ahead of you. Behind your group (on the cart path leading up to the first tee) are 6 carts waiting impatiently to tee off. It's your turn to drive the golf ball. You walk up to the tee box and think to yourself that there are a total of 15 eyes upon you.

What goes through your mind? Are you confident or do you allow yourself to think the worst (ie worm burner, duck hook, bannana ball etc.) How's your stomach? Butterflies? Worse?

OK. Here's the question: With so many impatient people waiting and watching does it affect your normal routine, mindset, or execution? This is usually one of golf's greatest fears, so don't be afraid to be honest about your emotions.

Second time ever on the course this exact same situation happened to me^^^^ I forgot my glove my palms were sweaty as hell, everyone was watching me went to tee off at the first hole, and what do you know the club slips out of my hand and right into the lake to my left. To make things worse the graphite shaft caused it to float, my grandpa runs to his car to get his fishing pole and fishes it out for me..............I don't get so nervous anymore, that did it in for me and nothing would surprise me

[mas-dkt-sive]

Second time ever on the course this exact same situation happened to me^^^^ I forgot my glove my palms were sweaty as hell, everyone was watching me went to tee off at the first hole, and what do you know the club slips out of my hand and right into the lake to my left. To make things worse the graphite shaft caused it to float, my grandpa runs to his car to get his fishing pole and fishes it out for me..............I don't get so nervous anymore, that did it in for me and nothing would surprise me

OMG!!! Too bad someone didn't get that on tape. It would have been worth at least $100K! I am laughing out loud!

[paulaglober]

OMG!!! Too bad someone didn't get that on tape. It would have been worth at least $100K! I am laughing out loud!

Thank you, oddly noone laughed.

[Opinion_counts]

No I don't have that problem.If the course is that crowded I won't be on the tee box.

[Zptmsemk]

OK, please allow me to paint a portrait for you: It's Saturday morning. The course is insanely crowded. Your foursome is finally up after having waited a half hour for groups ahead of you. Behind your group (on the cart path leading up to the first tee) are 6 carts waiting impatiently to tee off. It's your turn to drive the golf ball. You walk up to the tee box and think to yourself that there are a total of 15 eyes upon you.

What goes through your mind? Are you confident or do you allow yourself to think the worst (ie worm burner, duck hook, bannana ball etc.) How's your stomach? Butterflies? Worse?

OK. Here's the question: With so many impatient people waiting and watching does it affect your normal routine, mindset, or execution? This is usually one of golf's greatest fears, so don't be afraid to be honest about your emotions.

[masterboyz]

Not at all for me. I know that there arent any tour players out there. I get up and hit away.

[amusaasyday]

It makes me a little nervous, but not as nervous as when there's a back-up on a par 3 on the course. On the first hole, I know people are distracted - checking their bag, etc., but on a par 3 - they're all watching.

[BebopVT]

No issues at all for me. Just get up and hit away.

[skupaemauto]

It's your turn to drive the golf ball. You walk up to the tee box and think to yourself that there are a total of 15 eyes upon you.

I'd actually be wondering how that person lost their other eye or how they were born with a third eye.

I suck so regardless of what hole it is I'm going to hit a bad shot so I don't worry about it.

[Unhappu]

Hi Johneli

I know the feeling you're talking about. I don't tend to get it that badly, but in April this year I got to play the Black course at Bethpage. I wanted to play the blue tees too. Most were playing the whites, but you have a lot of people standing around waiting to play. I hadn't played in a while at the time, so really didn't know how it would go, but I knew people paid attention when someone plays the blue tees, because they obviously think they can play. I hit three wood because I felt more confident with it. Hit it a little low on the face, but it went straight.

I actually find the anticipation of playing a tournament round worse most of the time. If I'm playing regularly, I know I can hit it well enough not to look bad, so I don't mind teeing off in front of 100 people. But if I have a card in my hand, I find myself wondering which game is going to come out today.

[zatronanec]

I am not bothered at all. My thinking is that no one the course is drawing a paycheck for being out there, so I just enjoy my round.

[Sydneyfonzi]

Bothers the beejeezus out of me....90% my first tee shot is a skull or block. After that it takes me about a hoe or two to get into the flow. Tiger I am not (although my tee shots are better than his right now)

[mas-dkt-sive]

I don't have a problem with it. I spent a couple of years playing with buddies after work where I would run straight to the first tee and hit away. The last year, I have been member in a men's club where there may be 10-20 guys watching me tee off on any given Saturday. The novelty of it wore off long ago. Also, I used to play in a band where 50 to 5,000 sets of eyes might be on me while I performed. Sort of takes the sting out of the first tee jitters. Familiarity breeds apathy.

[DoctorNelsonOnten]

Not at all on the first tee anymore, can't say why because it used to bother me a bunch. Since taking the game back up this year it's been better. However, if several holes into a round and playing bad, yes it will bother me.

[Zptmsemk]

On a zero to ten (where ten is paralysis) I would say I'm about a 3. Damn the swing thoughts; All I think to myself is "don't rush the shot," because I have a tendency to get quick from the top with any apprehension.

[en-druzhba]

Still bothers me... Dunno why it creates pressure, but it does. Usually if it's a stellar shot, I'll turn and wave to the crowd, circa Phil

[forextradinginfo]

Been there too often to let it worry me. It's easier in my home course... when I'm playing an unfamiliar course, then the nerves might get me a bit more, partly because I'm not as sure of the shot I've got planned, nor of the trouble I might get into if I do hit it badly.

But usually I'm fairly conservative on the first tee anyway, until I find which swing came with me to the course that day.