Thread Tools

Display Modes

Matthew_22 · 05-26-2006, 10:48 AM

Hey fitz, that's the same as me.

I wouldn't say I get nervous when a group of people are watching me (like at the first tee), but I don't think I swing like I usually would. There's just that extra bit of pressure to perform that takes your mind off your game.

fitz-uk · 05-26-2006, 10:57 AM

I know what you mean.

I remember years ago as a junior, I was playing in the under 18 amatuer championships, I think I was playing off 12 at the time. Anway we were waiting for our tee time watching the lower handicaps tee off. We had the announcer and everything "On the tee, from xxxx golf club" anyway, a couple of groups ahead of us the last of the single figure handicappers were teeing off.

Some poor lad playing off 5, topped his tee shot and rolled it 15ft in front of him - much to his embaressment. It happens to all of us

Deep · 05-26-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitz-uk

I know what you mean.

I remember years ago as a junior, I was playing in the under 18 amatuer championships, I think I was playing off 12 at the time. Anway we were waiting for our tee time watching the lower handicaps tee off. We had the announcer and everything "On the tee, from xxxx golf club" anyway, a couple of groups ahead of us the last of the single figure handicappers were teeing off.

Some poor lad playing off 5, topped his tee shot and rolled it 15ft in front of him - much to his embaressment. It happens to all of us

Nice example, I did this once also the good thing was no one was watching, probably the worst drive I ever made in my life

white_tiger_137 · 05-28-2006, 03:33 PM

Are the people watching you directly relevant to what you're about to do? (hitting the ball) No! Thinking about them will only make it worse. Acknoledge that they are there, realize that thinking about what they're thinking about you isn't going to help anything, and move on.

Kent · 05-28-2006, 05:51 PM

I have played lots of competitive golf and generally speaking getting off the first tee even though I had the jitters, I would do ok.

However there was the first time I played Pebble Beach, most probabaly the closest thing to golf heaven. Tee times are spaced about every 15 minutes. I must have mentally hit about 50 shots off that first just before we were to tee off.

Unbeknowst to me and our group the foursome behind us had Tom Watson. There was a large throng of people at the first tee to see Tom tee off.
Now, playing with maybe 5 o 6 people on the 1st tee is one thing, but this time there must have over a 100. If you know the 1st tee at Pebble this means a big crowd.

The practice green at Pebble is not too far from the 1st tee. We did the usual tee toss to see who was going first. It was me.

As I stepped to the tee, I noticed that Tom Watson was watching.
This is what happened..

1st I was not sure how to go about teeing up the ball, I was sooo nervous I had one helluva time getting the ball on the tee.
2nd after getting the ball teed up I was not sure how to grip the ball., left hand under or on top. I had to fiddle with that before it felt right.
3rd. I was nervous wreck trying to take my stance, knees shaking. Did not realize my hands could sweat so much.
4th. one of the guys in the group finally said after all of my troublesome, 'just hit the damn ball, will ya, we don't have all day'.
5th I took the only swing I knew how but was so far discomboomerlated I had no idea what I was doing.
6th, I took a swing at it , pogo sticked the ball about 15 yds down to the ladies tee and was so out of balance I fell on my ass.
7th I think all 250 people at the tee laughed so hard that half the people within half a mile came over to see what was so funny.
8th I was so embarrassed that all I could do was laugh myself.
9th, When I looked to see where Tom Watson was, he was nowhere around, so I do not know if he saw it too.
10th. My second shot was much better, getting me to a lay up spot from where I parred it.

Thank goodness for the 15 minute spread. We were never held up and we were never pushed

After the round we waited for the Watson group to show up. I got him to autograph my Pebble Beach hat, which he signed, 'Nice recovery, Tom Watson".

BTW, I shot a 78 that day and Watson shot a 67, from the same tees.

Regards,

Kent

bigboy · 05-28-2006, 06:13 PM

Although I don't really like people watching me, it doesn't effect me much. I never try to do everything perfect then either, that is when problems start arising.

HanesOnU · 05-28-2006, 11:03 PM

If I am playing with some random people, I usually have my best rounds. But if they are flat horrible(like can't shoot 120), they bring my game to their level.

Wheelerm · 05-29-2006, 07:39 AM

I am not really fussed if someone is watching me, but if i hit a good shot im happy

fitz-uk · 05-30-2006, 03:20 AM

nice

and yes, it sounds like a damn good recovery

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kent

I have played lots of competitive golf and generally speaking getting off the first tee even though I had the jitters, I would do ok.

However there was the first time I played Pebble Beach, most probabaly the closest thing to golf heaven. Tee times are spaced about every 15 minutes. I must have menatally hit about 50 shots off that first just before we were to tee off.

Unbeknowst to me and our group the foursome behind us had Tom Watson. There was a large throng of people at the first tee to see Tom tee off.
Now, playing with maybe 5 o 6 people on the 1st tee is one thing, but this time there must have over a 100. If you know the 1st tee at Pebble this means a big crowd.

The practice green at Pebble is not too far from the 1st tee. We did the usual tee toss to see who was going first. It was me.

As I stepped to the tee, I noticed that Tom Watson was watching.
This is what happened..

1st I was not sure how to go about teeing up the ball, I was sooo nervous I had one helluva time getting the ball on the tee.
2nd after getting the ball teed up I was not sure how to grip the ball., left hand under or on top. I had to fiddle with that before it felt right.
3rd. I was nervous wreck trying to take my stance, knees shaking. Did not realize my hands could sweat so much.
4th. one of the guys in the group finally said after all of my troublesome, 'just hit the damn ball, will ya, we don't have all day'.
5th I took the only swing I knew how but was so far discomboomerlated I had no idea what I was doing.
6th, I took a swing at it , pogo sticked the ball about 15 yds down to the ladies tee and was so out of balance I fell on my ass.
7th I think all 250 people at the tee laughed so hard that half the people within half a mile came over to see what was so funny.
8th I was so embarrassed that all I could do was laugh myself.
9th, When I looked to see where Tom Watson was, he was nowhere around, so I do not know if he saw it too.
10th. My second shot was much better, getting me to a lay up spot from where I parred it.

Thank goodness for the 15 minute spread. We were never held up and we were never pushed

After the round we waited for the Watson group to show up. I got him to autograph my Pebble Beach hat, which he signed, 'Nice recovery, Tom Watson".

BTW, I shot a 78 that day and Watson shot a 67, from the same tees.

Regards,

Kent

geline · 06-01-2006, 12:39 AM

Guess we can always do better with concentration, others can do this well even with the distractions around while others prefer a more conducive environment.