There is nothing in golf to match the feeling of stepping up to the first tee and connecting solidly with your driver, sending the ball screaming down the fairway. This is a somewhat rare occurrence for the ordinary golfer. “Duffers” will hit a good one every now and then – just enough to keep from giving up the game completely – but more often than not, it’s a slice, a hook or something even worse for that first shot of the day.
According to Kevin Daughtrey, former Head Pro at Tanyard Country Club in Louisa, nerves are a frequent cause of miss-hits with the big stick: Particularly on the first tee with your three partners and a foursome behind watching your every move.
“The nerves you feel on the first tee will go away soon after you hit your first shot,” Kevin stated. “Try to remember that nervousness is a normal part of the game. Instead of being afraid or unconfident, channel those nerves as the adrenaline you will need to keep focused on the round to come.”
Kevin Daughtrey was widely acclaimed as one of the great young golf instructors in Central Virginia, doing wonders for many ordinary golfers by helping them improve the mental parts of their games. Eliminating tension is one of the first things Kevin taught.
“Focusing too much on the uncomfortable feelings only makes the tension worse,” he says. “Concentrate instead on your game plan; how you should play the first hole.”
Kevin says there are only two things you should be thinking about as you address the ball – where it’s going and how it’s going to get there.
“Visualize the shot you want to hit,” he instructs. “Try to make a few smooth practice swings and visualize a good shot. This helps build confidence and reduce tension.
“When you approach the ball, remember the smooth practice swings. This is what we want when we hit the ball,” he emphasized. “A good tempo is critical to solid ball striking.”
Secondly, Kevin says, don’t try to kill it.
“So often I see people swinging out of their shoes in an attempt to smash the ball into tiny pieces, hoping for more distance with their drives,” he states. “But instead of distance, we end up with errant shots – slices, hooks, skied balls and even pulled muscles.”
“Rather than straining, swing within yourself. Let the club do the work for you. Swing nice and easy, concentrating on the ball, not the power of your swing,” he instructs. “Try controlling your backswing with a three-quarter swing. Don’t over swing.”
Ultimately, Kevin says that it’s not so much about “hitting the ball”; it’s about letting the ball get in the way of your swing.
“Trust your practice swing,” Kevin concludes. “And remember to breathe.”