Being a virgin blogger, this has taken a lot of psyching and mental preparation to get my teeth in to. Now this type of mental state is something not too dissimilar to a state of mind I find myself in when up on that 1st tee of any golf course. Having played the odd county match or two myself in my younger days, the what has become standard first tee shakes still get the better of me more times than not! Whether it be an after work 9 holes with the Teeofftimes.co.uk lads or the main event, the annual skins tournament with my old man and brother, why is it that I find myself with a wedge in my hand knocking out sideways 8/9 times out of 10 on that 1st hole?

As a keen golfer with a handicap of 11 surely I can programme myself to swing my 4 iron with a tiny bit of control and plant my ball 200 yards down the centre of the fairway. The ideal scenario. Now all these singles, doubles and triples (bogies) have driven me to analyse and pick at something that should just come naturally. That 1st tee routine!

I contemplate, is my mindset correct when stepping up on to that 1st tee? The answer has to be a resounding NO. I should be thinking, “nice and easy iron down the middle”. But what do I think? The first shot will determine if I shoot low or high? What are the boys going to say when I overdo my draw into the bushes on the left? And finally, this is where it really counts!

So I ask myself what do I differently to everyone else!? I pitch up at the club hit 10-15 balls in the nets like any other guy. Have a quick putt making sure I’m holing out well from 6 feet and in to boost what is possibly the key in golf, confidence. I eventually reach the tee, I see the lads fire their drivers on to the fairway, confidence knocked! I tee my ball up, take two practice swings as like any other shot. Take my standard two steps back hold my club out in front of myself and look down the shaft picturing the shot in my head, a rising 200 yard arrow with a soft draw. What more could you want? I step up to the ball adjust myself in to a comfortable position, trying not to be a young Sergio Garcia with 101 re-grips and club shuffles. Here we go, Boom!

Where do I find my ball? Directly behind a 200 year old Oak Tree. Thank you very much! 

Please Advise.