How to overcome nerves on the first tee.

Many swing flaws in golf are rooted in tension experienced by the body. Typically, this tension is a result of performance anxiety stemming from an overactive mind. The abundance of thoughts interferes with our breathing patterns and ability to focus. Anytime we experience stress on the course, such as first tee jitters, it triggers a “fight or flight” response which disrupts our breathing resulting in a loss of blood flow to the extremities and to the brain. Most golfers are not aware of their breathing patterns. It’s important to practice and develop diaphragmatic breathing daily. Incorporating deep breathing into your pre-shot routine will calm your mind and increase your sense of rhythm and tempo. You might be surprised the next time you walk up to the first tee with a different state of mind, perhaps a Zen-like state. 🙂