Stepping up to your ball on the first tee box and taking your shot can be a mental struggle for many golfers. While this is particularly an issue that plagues young and novice golfers, even those who have played hundreds of rounds may get some jitters during the first shot of the round. This is partly because there are usually a lot of golfers standing around the first tee given its close proximity to the clubhouse. Players who are waiting to tee off, meeting up with friends, and simply hanging out will all gather in this area, and you may feel as though they're all watching you—or that they'll all be smirking if you hit an errant tee shot. Here are some ways to reduce your anxiety about stepping up o your first tee shot.

Hit Some Balls Beforehand

A lot of golfers make some practice putts on the putting green near the first tee box, but you could also hit some balls on the range prior to teeing off to begin your round. Many golf courses have driving ranges, and you can buy a small bucket of balls and hit a couple dozen shots to warm up. This activity will make you more loose and ready to tee off as well as more apt to have a solid first swing. Because of this, you'll feel less anxious about stepping onto the first tee box--even if there are lots of people around.

Focus On The Task

It's easy for some golfers to get too focused on what's going on around them. Your mind may be wondering how people will view you if you make an errant tee shot, for example. You need to accept that while there are a lot of people around, and some may indeed be watching you, no one cares how well you do or don't do. No one is going to ridicule you even if you make a terrible shot, and you may actually be a better player than a lot of those waiting to tee off. If you accept these realities and focus all of your attention on the task at hand, hitting the ball, you'll feel better.

Lay Up

It's common to grab your driver and try to rip the longest drive that you can to start the round, but this strategy can sometimes backfire with a poor shot or a long slice—both of which can get your day off to a bad start. Consider laying up—in other words, sacrifice some yardage in favor of a straighter shot. If you're more competent with a 5-wood or 3-wood, for example, grab one of these golf clubs. You may not hit the ball quite as far, but if you can land in the middle of the fairway, you'll be happy with your effort.

Looking to better your golfing game and become a more confident golfer? Visit Waterford Golf Club or another local golf club near you.