The first tee can be the most nerve wrecking shot in your entire round. You have the driver in your hand, your probably are not as “warmed-up” as you should be, and you may have a few people watching from the club-house or the next group on the tee-box.
How can you manage the jitters and negative thoughts that seem to over-ride your focus and your swing to hit a solid drive on the first tee box?
Improving your visual gaze known as the ‘quiet eye’ approach can reduce the effects of anxiety.
The eyes have it:
Researchers have found that establishing a strong visual gaze or fixating your eyes onto a relevant stimulus during and after your golf shot can improve your chances of success. When we feel nervous or pressurized, our eyes have a natural tendency to dart around, because multiple internal and external factors compete for our attention. Locking your gaze onto a specific target or the ball can enhance your ability to concentrate and block out everything else around you. “Keep your eye on the ball” isn’t exactly a new idea. But it’s only recently that scientists have had the technology to fully grasp the value of intense visual focus.
Sport Scientists at the University of Exeter found that improving your visual gaze known as the ‘quiet eye’ approach can reduce the effects of anxiety that might occur when others are watching you launch your drive off the first tee.
Nervousness is greatly reduced and concentration increased when our mantra or instructions are much more specific.
Professor Vickers engaged in similar research at the University of Calgary also had golfers use a mantra to focus their attention. When we think about the general instructions we feed our brains on the first tee, messages such as, “Just hit the fairway” or “Don’t hit it over there,” are common but highly vague instructions. Applying Professors Vicker’s research, our nervousness is greatly reduced and concentration increased when our mantra or instructions are much more specific. For example, “I will hit a draw to that lone tree on the left” is a specific instructional message that can elevate feelings of commitment and control over your first drive of the day.
Find your Rhythm, Take it Slow
The most common fault I see most players make on the first tee is an eagerness to get the shot over with, and the tendency to rush the swing. It is extremely hard to feel confident in your swing when you rush the execution and can’t find the fairway. The key to feeling in control on the first tee is to take things deliberately SLOW.
Start by slowing your practice swings down, with an emphasis on flow and effortless movement. Before you move into the ball, take a few seconds to focus your eyes on the target, stand tall; poised and balanced. Finding a steady rhythm will help you to make great contact with the ball and you will leave the first tee feeling very optimistic about your round ahead.
Visit my office at the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre to find out how you can take control of the first-tee jitters.
