Scottie Scheffler’s simple advice for amateur golfers who struggle with nerves before teeing off when playing golf

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For most amateur golfers, hitting the ball further and straighter off the tee will result in better scores and, ultimately, a lower handicap.

However, for many, tee shots can prove costly, whether they hit a ball out of bounds, miss the fairway, or end up a significant distance away from the intended target.

Of course, technical improvements can be made, such as in decision-making and the driving fundamentals. However, another critical aspect centres around the mental side of the game.

Too often, amateur golfers tee up a ball without being clear about their intentions. Is it high or low? Draw or fade? Where’s my intended target?

The mixture of thoughts and misunderstanding of the end goal often cause major issues.

Scottie Scheffler’s tip to ease nerves

During a recent video with Fore Play, world number one Scottie Scheffler discussed the importance of having a clear idea of the intended shot before taking to the tee box.

“I have found the more clear you can get before you hit the shot, the better results will be,” Scheffler said.

“I am sure you are probably panicking by the time you get to the tee box. Be as clear as you can before you get ready to hit the shot. So you have a good idea of what you want to do, and then it’s a matter of attempting to do it.”

• READ MORE: The concern Ted Scott had about Scottie Scheffler before he agreed to become his caddie after splitting from Bubba Watson

Scottie Scheffler’s college teammates struggle with yips

Scheffler also revealed that he watched some of his college teammates struggle with nerves. As a result, many would aim in completely the wrong direction and start slicing their tee shots.

Scheffler added: “Not like missing the ball, but there were times where guys I played with in college, you’re aiming this way and the ball would fly the other way and start slicing.”

The world number one played his college golf at the University of Texas at Austin back in 2014. Scheffler won his first collegiate title in 2015 and was named ‘Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year’ the same season.

Scheffler was a member of the Texas Cowboys in 2017 and graduated in 2018 with a degree in finance. He would earn his Web.com card in 2019. The rest is very much history.

Interestingly, the world number one isn’t immune to hitting the odd bad shot. At the 2024 Open, Scheffler topped his tee shot on the 18th during the final round. What’s more, during the Tour Championship, Scheffler shanked a bunker shot back down the fairway.

Even the best player since Tiger Woods has the odd lapse in concentration.