{"id":4882,"date":"2020-11-24T08:54:24","date_gmt":"2020-11-24T13:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lynnonthelinks.com\/?p=4882"},"modified":"2022-01-21T11:23:54","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T16:23:54","slug":"first-tee-jitters-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lynnonthelinks.com\/first-tee-jitters-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"First Tee Jitters? Nervous When Others Are Watching?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why is it that golf can make us feel so anxious and nervous? And how can we handle this anxiety on the golf course?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about the game of golf. When it is your turn to hit the ball, everyone must be quiet, wait patiently and watch you hit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Very unnerving! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The feel of someone watching can make us feel very self-conscious. And it is hard to then focus and concentrate on what you are actually doing, let alone hitting a golf ball well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It sure makes golf interesting! Over the years, I have become a little more accustomed to it especially if I am playing with people I know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, if a stranger is watching me on the first tee, or I’m playing in a competition and every shot is on the line, or I am waived on to play through, it can be very nerve wracking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is it that makes hitting off the first tee especially nerve wracking? <\/p>\n\n\n\n There might be a starter, and other groups waiting to tee off so you might have people watching you on the first tee. Since it is also the very first shot of the round, there are usually thoughts about whether this is going to be a good round or a not so good round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If someone is playing in a match, they might be anxious and have nerves or butterflies because of the competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the tour pros, there is much fanfare on the first tee where their name is officially announced before they tee off. In addition to a large number of spectators watching the first shot off the first tee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n I recently posted a question on social media about fears on the golf course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n I received a lot of responses to this that included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This fear is real and it really can put pressure on your performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise known as performance anxiety in golf and other sports as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The body responds to this anxiety just like any other stressful situation. With flight or fight mode which can bring on shaking, sweating, and a racing heart, just to name a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, thoughts like “I hope to don’t top this ball” or “I hope I don’t put this ball in the water” or “please don’t let me make a fool of myself” is very common for a majority of golfers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While I have gotten used to this feeling, and have learned a few ways to handle it, it is still something that each and every one of us must handle out on the golf course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember the first time I experienced my hands shaking in a competition. I was putting a 4 footer and I really had to keep my hands from shaking. Crazy how the body works like that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, there are ways to overcome nerves and anxiety in golf. The more you play, the more you experience these situations, and the more aware of these stress signals, the better you will become at handling and conquering them. Trust me, it has gotten better over the years for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a list of my top 11 tips on handling this stress. I hope it will help you feel more confident and comfortable while playing golf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t forget to breathe. Take a nice big breath and breathe it out, then hit. This can do wonders to help you relax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find your target. Then concentrate or focus on this instead of the worrying thoughts in your head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This one is big. Our bodies usually will do what we think of. If you worry about a poor shot while addressing the ball, guess what our body is going to do? Yes, produce a poor shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To produce a beautiful shot, we must think and visualize that shot so our body has a better chance of performing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Professional golfers all use a pre-shot routine. If you watch the tour players, they each will do the same pre-shot routine before they hit the ball. Beginners and recreational golfers can and should implement this tactic as well. It is a great way to calm the nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can help put the mind at ease because you are doing what you always do. The mind and body are used to performing with the same routine and won’t be as nervous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s ok to think about 1 – 2 swing thoughts. If you have more than that, it will make you crazy and your mind won’t know what to focus on. Keep it simple and positive. When I am nervous, I like to think “Keep your head down and swing easy, through the ball”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you make a decision on what club to use, and where your ball needs to go, you must commit to that shot or your swing might be uneasy and lack confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are nervous, it doesn’t make sense to use a club that you are unsure you will hit well. Use a favorite or go-to club in this case. It’ll make you more confident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are fumbling around your bag or still trying to decide what club to hit when it is your turn, you may feel rushed or nervous as others are waiting and watching you. Be ready and prepared when it is your turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know you are golfing later in the week, it is worth it to head out to practice beforehand. If you know you may get nervous on the tee, practice your drives. If your putts are your weak points right now, practice those. Practice will help increase your confidence out on the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember that golf is a game. Try your best to not worry too much about your performance. Everyone who golfs has good and poor shots – it’s part of the what makes the game challenging and unique. Most of the time, other golfers are thinking about their own golf game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a very effective little tip I personally do when addressing the ball and I am really nervous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ll smile and say to myself, “I LOVE this game!” and then I hit the ball. It works really well for some reason – maybe because a smile seems to relax me and shoots positive vibes through my body, loosening up any tension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope these tips have provided a way to conquer nerves on the golf course. Though golf is physical and is an activity, it is very much a mental game as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I reached out to my friend, Pamela Ressler, an expert on mindset and meditation and Owner of Stress Resources<\/a>. She offers a great method for handling anxiety and nervousness not only on the golf course but in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What mindset tips can you provide to help golfers with handling anxiety and nervousness on the golf course?<\/strong><\/em> “I love this question \u2014 because it doesn\u2019t just apply to golf but to life! <\/p> Golf is as much a mental game as a physical game \u2014 but do we ever consider that our ability to work with our nervousness or anxiety on the course is as important as our technique with a putter or 9-iron? <\/p> Using mindfulness tools on and off the course help to keep excess nervousness at bay \u2014 try my easy to remember mindfulness mnemonic before every shot: G.O.L.F.<\/strong> and see the difference in how you feel on the course: G: Glove <\/strong>\u2014 notice the ritual of putting the glove on your hand. Can you feel each of your fingers? Notice the sensation of stretching and closing your hand by focusing on the movement. How does this hand feel different from the ungloved hand?<\/p> O: Observe<\/strong> your breath\u2014 by releasing the abdominal muscles and allowing your breath to drop into the belly you will roadblock your \u201cfight or flight\u201d reaction, which we notice as stress. Try to expand the belly on the inhale and deflate it on the exhale.<\/p> L: Listen<\/strong> \u2014 notice sounds and sensations around you. This helps you focus but step away from rumination, expectation, judgement <\/p> F: Focus <\/strong>\u2014 what do you notice about the ball in front of you, the grass, the tee? Allow yourself to drop into this moment \u2014 not the past or the future. Meet the hole with a sense of curiosity not judgement or dread.”<\/p> <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n With golf being such a mental game as well as performance based, golf can cause stress and fear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just remember that golf is a game and you are out there to have fun. For most of us, golf is a pastime, a hobby, and a way to stay active and mentally engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it is meant to be challenging at times. Many people expect to have perfect shots every time, but that is not the game of golf. Try to let the fear and stress of being perfect go, and remember why you are out there golfing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoy the time you get to spend outside with friends or new acquaintances. Enjoy the fact that you are learning a great sport, and also learning about yourself as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And don’t worry, everyone feels anxious at times on the golf course. I find as I get better at golf, I have gained more confidence on hitting a good shot when needed. So, that too will come in time as you play more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you have anxiety or stress while playing golf? Have you learned how to handle it? I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow These 11 Tips and Conquer Your Anxiety on the Golf Course Why is it that golf can make us feel so anxious and nervous? And how can we handle this anxiety on the golf course? Think about the game of golf. When it is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false},"categories":[271,233,269,267,270,11,234,7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Biggest Fears and Anxiety in Golf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Performance Anxiety in Golf – Fight or Flight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Top 11 Tips to Handle Fear and Performance Anxiety In Golf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
1. Breathe. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Take Aim. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Visualize. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Preshot Routine. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Swing Thoughts. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Be Committed. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Favorite Club. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Be Ready. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Prepare and Practice. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Have Fun. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
11. Smile. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mindfulness in Golf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>
<\/p>
–Pamela Ressler, Owner of Stress Resources<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nLetting Go of the Fear and Focus on Why You Golf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Golf 8.5 Program – A Simpler Way to Golf<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Improve Your Golf Game With These Tips<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Golf Fitness – 3 Areas to be Golf Fit<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Build Consistency in Your Golf Game<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Golf is Hard. Follow These Tips on How To Handle Frustration<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First Tee Jitters? Nervous When Others Are Watching?<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"