Nerves

MillerLowLife · October 12, 2016

Last night my mens league that I joined for the first year had their year end derby and banquet. Not a ton of guys out there but the management wen't through some changes and next year should be more than double the size. It's across the street from my house and an awesome course.

Anyway, normally golfing with my buds I never get nervous and I pretty much never have super bad shots. Just miss hits here and there.

But once you put about 20 random guys I dont know around a tee box and ask me to tee off I turn into a damn Shankapotimus and duck hook a ball into the long fescue grass.

This one is going to eat at me all winter.

Tcann32 · October 12, 2016

In a few situations this summer when I've been nervous, I've resorted to making a hard, confident swing. You're an 8hcp, you've hit thousands of golfballs, and the only thing different is all the people there.

Personally, when I hit a shank ( I know that's not the entirety of this post, but this relates) it's because I get too quick. When I get nervous, I get too quick, which generally equals a partial swing. Whatever shot that results in, isn't good. Just step up and put a good, full swing on it. Even if it doesn't land in the middle of the fairway, a big push, pull will feel, and look better than a shank or duck hook lol.

Also, if anyone watching you is dumb enough to think they've never hit the miss that you're afraid of, or that they won't hit one that day even, is kidding themselves, so don't kid yourself and think that everyone up there is about to lace one.

MillerLowLife · October 12, 2016

In a few situations this summer when I've been nervous, I've resorted to making a hard, confident swing. You're an 8hcp, you've hit thousands of golfballs, and the only thing different is all the people there.

Personally, when I hit a shank ( I know that's not the entirety of this post, but this relates) it's because I get too quick. When I get nervous, I get too quick, which generally equals a partial swing. Whatever shot that results in, isn't good. Just step up and put a good, full swing on it. Even if it doesn't land in the middle of the fairway, a big push, pull will feel, and look better than a shank or duck hook lol.

Also, if anyone watching you is dumb enough to think they've never hit the miss that you're afraid of, or that they won't hit one that day even, is kidding themselves, so don't kid yourself and think that everyone up there is about to lace one.

Very good analysis, as I did just that and was way too quick. Ill get over it as I want to play in more situations like this (mens league, local tournys and such). I'll get more comfortable playing in bigger situations than money games with friends.

hybrid25 · October 12, 2016

Nerves are part of what makes golf so attractive to play. When playing with my friends in casual rounds (gimmies, rollovers, mulligans, etc) golf nerves are easy to control, but when playing in tournaments it's a different story. Why? golfers have been trying to answer that question since the game was invented. There is nothing so great as confidence that results from success, but that is and elusive zone to get into. I have missed 18 inch putts due to nerves, and so have every other honest golfer.

robrey85 · October 12, 2016

Pick up the book called, "Tension free golf".

Tension is one of the main reasons your golf game goes to s***. It's a great book.

HatsForBats · October 12, 2016

I got over that at an early age due to repeated exposure. The course I grew up on started with a tee shot over a pond, close to the tee box, and a road running just off the left side of the fairway. Routinely there were other players there and it was quite nerve racking at first. It is like anything else. Expose yourself to it more often and it becomes less nerve racking. It won't be just like you are playing with your friends but it does get much better (unless you continue to shank it every single time).

MillerLowLife · October 12, 2016

Pick up the book called, "Tension free golf".

Tension is one of the main reasons your golf game goes to s***. It's a great book.

haha good one. Google thought i was trying to search for "tension free vaginal tape" whatever that is. Im at work people!

robrey85 · October 12, 2016

Pick up the book called, "Tension free golf".

Tension is one of the main reasons your golf game goes to s***. It's a great book.

haha good one. Google thought i was trying to search for "tension free vaginal tape" whatever that is. Im at work people!

Haha, this is the book I was talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Tension-Free-Golf-Unleashing-Greatest/dp/1572435429

DavePelz4 · October 12, 2016

A couple of thoughts. First, nerves are a good thing. They show that what you're doing is important to you and that you care. Ever have nerves over something that didn't mean cr*p to you? Most likely not.

Back in the Corporate America days I spoke to crowds of up to 5,000. Still don't know why they wanted to hear anything I had to say. I can share in literally hundreds of presentations, I was always nervous, sometimes flat out scared. I learned to embrace that and started to memorize the first 30 seconds. After that it was no brainer. Think of that first 30 seconds as your pre-shot routine. Do everything exacctly as you always do, don't take any more time than you would on any other shot, and don't put more value on that shot as compared to any other.

This isn't life and death, it's golf. Repect the game, the course and the people playing but don't over value that shot.

And after you hit the 325 yard drive with all of the extra energy, slowly pick up your tee, acknowledge the great shot and embrace the nerves.

BKN1964 · October 12, 2016

Played in my first tournament ever earlier this summer. Our flight was the last out (highest handicap), so I showed up several hours early to watch the "better" players tee off. Saw just about every bad tee shot you can imagine. Figured I couldn't do any worse, but my hands were still shaking when I stepped up to tee off with a whopping four people watching (the rest of my foursome plus the starter).

Went the the web.com event in Columbus last month. Watched Martin Flores step up to the first tee tied for third after three rounds. Pulled a driver left and OB, reloaded and hit another one.

KnightPS · October 12, 2016

We have a year end "Shoot out" at our club, which involves the top 10 players from all the events of the season. (You earn points in each event). All 10 players tee it up on 10 and you drop a player every hole until there is only one left on the 18 green. (Ties are broken with chipping contests)

I managed to finish 6th this year. I am going to be shaking in my spikes on the 10th tee with the other members and pro shop staff and whoever else is around watching us all go off. Then again if/when I am in a tiebreak chip off. I am nervous thinking about it.

MillerLowLife · October 12, 2016

We have a year end "Shoot out" at our club, which involves the top 10 players from all the events of the season. (You earn points in each event). All 10 players tee it up on 10 and you drop a player every hole until there is only one left on the 18 green. (Ties are broken with chipping contests)

I managed to finish 6th this year. I am going to be shaking in my spikes on the 10th tee with the other members and pro shop staff and whoever else is around watching us all go off. Then again if/when I am in a tiebreak chip off. I am nervous thinking about it.

This is the "derby" format I referred to above. First time hearing or playing in one. Loads of fun (unless you get out first). Sucks to let nerves get to the best of me but i'll get more chances next year.