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Anxious on the First Hole
One of the problems many golfers deal with on the golf course is getting off to a bad start. Some players hit one bad shot, get it out of the way and they can relax and begin to play. Others allow one bad swing to spoil the initial few holes and essentially their whole day.
Most of the time bad starts can be traced to nerves on the first tee. You don't have to accept this nervousness as a fact of life. Instead you can learn how to deal with it so you get your rounds started off on the right foot. Here is how.
Nerves are generally caused by the unknown. You have not hit a drive all day so on your first shot you actually don't know where it's going. If you would like to get ready for your first shot you can go to the range before the round and hit 1 or 2 balls. Don't just whack away though, instead picture the hole you are about to play and try to hit a shot similar to what you have to do on the first hole. Pick out one or two markers on the range. One you will aim at and 2 others which will act as limits you have to keep the ball between. If you hit several successful shots in a row, you will have nothing to be afraid of on the first hole.
You do not always have to physically hit balls though. A strange quirk with our subconscious is that it doesn't know what's real and what is clear imagination. If you are running late to the course try visualizing the shot you are going to hit on the 1st hole. Be as detailed as practicable beginning with approaching the box to your preshot routine and finally feel your ultimate swing while watching the ball fly through the air and stop.
Try those 2 tricks and you are going to be able to play better right from the start.
Most of the time bad starts can be traced to nerves on the first tee. You don't have to accept this nervousness as a fact of life. Instead you can learn how to deal with it so you get your rounds started off on the right foot. Here is how.
Nerves are generally caused by the unknown. You have not hit a drive all day so on your first shot you actually don't know where it's going. If you would like to get ready for your first shot you can go to the range before the round and hit 1 or 2 balls. Don't just whack away though, instead picture the hole you are about to play and try to hit a shot similar to what you have to do on the first hole. Pick out one or two markers on the range. One you will aim at and 2 others which will act as limits you have to keep the ball between. If you hit several successful shots in a row, you will have nothing to be afraid of on the first hole.
You do not always have to physically hit balls though. A strange quirk with our subconscious is that it doesn't know what's real and what is clear imagination. If you are running late to the course try visualizing the shot you are going to hit on the 1st hole. Be as detailed as practicable beginning with approaching the box to your preshot routine and finally feel your ultimate swing while watching the ball fly through the air and stop.
Try those 2 tricks and you are going to be able to play better right from the start.
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