To many times I see golfers step to the tee and just try and hit a ball into the sea of green. You need to have a plan of attack for your tee shots! You want to survey the hole and pick a spot in the fairway you are aiming for that will give you the best approach to the green. Remember that you want to aim small to miss small! It helps to use an intermediate target to aim at. Approach your tee shot positively. It will set up the next few strokes. If you are tense, take a deep breath before setting up. Pick the best club to get the job done. This might not always be the driver as some holes it is smarter to use a fairway wood or long iron to make sure to hit the fairway. Remember that fairway position is more important than distance. Your goal is to place your tee shot in the most advan-tageous position for your next shot. Even when hitting a driver it is important to think about where you want the ball to come to rest. Follow these two simple rules on the tee and you will find yourself walking in the short grass more often. This will lead to lower scores and a happier golfer!
1. Approach your tee shots with a plan of action. Do not always assume the driver is the best club to hit. First, decide where you want the ball to land to position you best for your next shot. Then, pick the best club to safely get you to that spot. Ball position is more important than distance, the short grass in the fairway will give you a better lie than the longer grass in the rough. On tight holes you may have to play your fade or draw by aiming at the edge of the rough and playing your normal curving shot back into the fairway. On your tee shot tee your ball up on the side where the trouble is and then you can aim away from the trouble and have a larger margin of error.
2. To stick to the proven basics when the pressure is on. We are frequently faced with an audience on the tee and it is easy to tense up. Think rhythm and tempo to keep your muscles and swing flowing smoothly. Swing "within yourself" by going with 80% power to help retain control. Remember the ideal tempo for you is the speed at which you are under control. A good shoulder turn naturally sets the club in the correct position, and the club face will rotate automatically and square at impact. Learn the proper mechanics, practice them. Build them into your swing "memory" so they become automatic. Do not try to be too mechanical.