FRETS.COM
Shop Tip #009
© Frank Ford 2004; Photo by FF

If you REALLY want to drill that hole with NO tearout, use a brad point bit, or one like this "Bullet" drill. Then, carefully locate the hole and run the drill at high speed BACKWARDS, until it scuffs down through the first layers of surface wood fibers and burnishes a shallow hole like this one. Then, you can proceed to drill in the usual manner without risk of tearout.