First High School Golf Match

Hello fellow Sandtrappers, I have my first high school match this Thursday which I am pretty nervous about. It is the front nine of our home course which is not in the best of shape. It is a pretty tricky course with 4 water holes, small greens with a lot of undulation, and a mediocre at best fairway. I usually shoot between a 45-48 with my usual score being a 46. The top 2 or 3 guys on my team are usually in the 42-45 range. I just wanted to ask for any tips or advice you may have for competitions and what should I do match today to prepare for it. Should I come into it charged up like I do in football or wrestling? Or should I be more relaxed? Any other preparation techniques or advice would be great!

Thanks,

Duncan

Just take your time. Read your greens and don't rush into any shot. You can get fired up, but it's a different kind of fired up. You aren't going to go chanting up to every tee box of course, but you should go into every hole with confidence. Keep a competitive fire about you, but also stay relaxed. It's the same game you've been playing for years and it's at your home course, the same course you've played more than a few times. The only difference is the people you're playing against.

I think one of your biggest advantages is knowing what the greens are like. If you've played the course a bunch you should have some idea of the layout of each green. Use this knowledge to your advantage when you're looking at different pin placements. The visitors may not know about a false front when they're looking at it from 150 yards, but you should. Keep stuff like that in mind.

But remember, it's the same game you've been playing! Be relaxed, be confident, and don't forget to have fun!

Just remember that you're, in a sense, playing against the course, not your playing partner. Their score should be irrelevant to how you play, as there is nothing you can do to change it, and vice versa. This is, of course, assuming you are playing stroke play.

JustABitOutside pretty much said everything else I would have said.

I shot a 75 in a match once. I laughed about it then and I laugh about it now, so if you don't shoot as well as you like, it's not the end of the world.

Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. There is 3 other teams so all the 1's play together from each team in a foursome, then the 2's. etc etc. Thankfully there's a triple bogey cap so it can't get that embarrassing. One team is notorious for cheating, so how should I approach that??

Ah yes, cheating in high school golf.

Luckily for me, I didn't have much experience with cheaters. When I did, it would usually be them "forgetting" a stroke or two, to which I would just reply with something like "you must have forgotten to count ____." I really don't like calling out cheaters because it's kind of awkward, but at the same time I don't like being made into a fool.

If it's something more along the lines of using the ol' foot wedge to get out from behind a tree, it's a little trickier because your only real option is calling them out on cheating, rather than suggesting that they "forgot" to add a stroke.

From what I remember, no one liked the cheating teams, but no one liked the ones that would call you out on every little thing, either. Just do your best to keep an eye on your partner; if they know you're watching, they'll probably be less inclined to cheat.

Lastly, whatever you do, don't let them have in impact on your game, and just have fun. Golf was easily the best part of high school.

There's 4 of us so it should be easy to catch the foot wedge, but yeah in practice there's a kid who always "forgets" a shot or two. Same kid that coughed as loud as he could. Almost put my putter down his throat. Then when I said something to him about golf being a gentleman's game, he said "Who said I was a gentleman" and then babbled about family problems, granted the kid's IQ is sub 90 easily but still... But I will act friendly when recounting strokes with him and that usually gets him to go "oh yeah I tripled" I've learned to focus on my game and ignore him.

One good piece of advice that i can give you, is that you need to only focus on the shot at hand. It really helps me sometimes to not think about what i need to shoot on that hole and simply put it in the cup one hit at a time. Don't dwell on the fact that you may have pulled your last drive or doubled the hole before that, just focus on each shot one by one. You WILL put a good round together if you do that. Think of that on top of what Grndslmhttr3 and JustABitOutside said and you will do great! Good Luck and tell us how it goes!!

Dealing with cheaters is always tough. If the school is notorious for it, nobody is going to fault you for questioning a shot or two. Don't make a show of it, just handle it quietly if you feel somebody is overlooking a stroke or something because it could be just that, honest oversight. Talk to them and like Grndslmhtter said, mention it subtly by suggesting they maybe forgot something.

As far as the less etiquette inclined players, the most I think I can offer is to say....that happens. From high school to the 65+ league you're likely to find guys that don't always give the same respect as maybe they should, but that happens. Keep the golden rule in mind, treat them with the same etiquette as you would like to be treated. If the things they're doing are getting on your nerves and affecting your game, bring it up to them. If they keep it up, talk to a coach or ref.

Play your game and you'll do fine. Good luck out there and definitely keep us updated.

If there is a kid that is causing issues... Talk to your coach about it.  He can address it - or if the kid is on another team, your coach can bring it up to theirs.  There is no room for a guy intentionally trying to distract you when you're putting or in the middle of a swing.  That is grounds for being DQ'd IMO.

I would say the most important thing is know your ability and don't get too overly upset when you do hit a bad shot.  You say you shoot 45-48 in practice so I would say don't get frustrated and just try to do what you normally do.

There's a lot of really good information given already, so I'll just add a little bit more FWIW:

Understand there's a big lesson to be learned here and it's not about golf.  It's about learning how to win by remaining focused on the task at hand under great pressure.  Play the course (as Grndslmhttr3 stated) according to your strengths, not your opponent's.

For instance, if he's a big hitter and you're only so-so with your driver, tee off with the longest club you can confidently hit well.  If he hits a 300 yard drive, a 50 yard half-wedge and 2-putts that counts the same on the scorecard as say your 200 yard 5w, 150 yard 6i and 2 putt.  They both equal 4.  Is he going to try to throw you off by talking about how long his drive was compared to your "weak" drive?  Don't guess, expect it.  Never defend how you play your game to an opponent.  Beat him to the punch by saying something like, "Wow, you're really long. You just bomb the ball.  I wish I could hit it that far."  This will disarm him and he won't have much to say.  At that point, you control the tone of the match, not him.  If it's the other way around where length is your advantage, make a smooth and committed swing.  Don't try to mash it.  It's real easy to mishit a shot because you've reached back trying to get just a little bit more.  And, to prevent the above from happening to you, disarm your opponent by saying something like, "Thanks.  But, I think the air must be really thin today because I never hit my drives that far."

If you catch one of them giving you a wrong score--intentional or not, correct them on it and, if necessary, report it immediately.  Don't fall for any "stories" (rationalizing their "error").  There's plenty of time to hear any sob stories after the round.  Until then, it's all business.  Watch them hit each shot and it make it clear that you're watching them by having your body facing them.  You don't have to stand right next to them, but don't start wandering off towards your ball or have your head down when they hit.  When it's your turn to play, focus on what you need to do to hit a good shot.  Don't worry about whether they're watching you or not.  It's not your responsibility, it's theirs.

Am I going to tell you to have fun?  Sure, if that's what you want to hear.  But, that's up to you.  IME, do I have fun when I play golf?  Most of the time.  Do I have fun when I win?  Always.

I can try to give you the best advice I can about playing high school golf. I am a Senior this year playin on my golf team as the #1 seed.

The first bit of advice is:

- Play the Course!

Too often when playing with other kids (espeically the other number 1's) there is always one or two kids that bomb a drive 270-280 consistently. I find myself always trying to crank a little extra and having that slice creap in. I learned that as stated earlier a drive, wedge and two putt is the same as a drive, 7i, and two putt. Its hard to ignore the long ball from other kids but its something you gotta put out of your mind! The tournaments I can't remember how my opponent shot I realize I shoot better scores. Its a lot about confidence. If you are comfortable taking a 5i off the tee and then a 8i to the green and two putt or get up and down then do it without a doubt!

- Practice Short Game!

Something that isn't common in high school tournaments are kids that constantly have a consitent and good short game from 80yds in. I find that my strong suit (being a shortish hitter off the tee, 245ish) is trying to land one close and sink the 3, 6 and 10ft putts for par and birdie. The short game can make life a hundred times easier and its normally the funnest and most creative part of the team. Putting drills are mostly developing feel and distance control and practice LONG two putts. It will safe you those dreaded 30ft two putts for par or sometimes bogey. For practice chipping I do a drill called the ladder drill look it up!

- Prepare for Play!

The night before any tournament I clean my clubs, clean my clothes and fill up the ole tee pocket, ball pocket and little accesories that are carried. I also make sure to have one sleeve of new balls so that I don't have any excuse the day of. If the course is many miles away and I can't get to the course for a practice round I like to get on Google Earth and go through each hole 1 through 18 and get an idea of what it'll be like, what hazards are their and often use the ruler function to create a sort of yardage book for the course. The morning of the tourney also I don't get "crunk" but I like to be happy and amped up inside. That feeling like before your about to do something important but doesn't require you to scream and bang heads like football.

I hope this helped?

I miss being on my high school golf team.  I was never very good, but it was loads of fun.

On your home course, just try to play smart and consistently.  You should know the course and the greens pretty well.  You should also know when/where to take the risks and where to put the ball.  Also, just try and relax and have fun.  Golf is game is supposed to be fun (urban myth I think), so treat it as such.  Since it's your first time just enjoy it.

Remember you are part of a team as well, so try and pick up your teammates whenever possible if they hit a bad shot or are getting upset/irritated.

Good luck!

Our team won!! I made the top 4 scores on my team with a 51. Not great at all. the greens were playing a lot faster than normal and putting killed me. But the average score was like a 54, top 3 scores outta the 4 teams were a 35, 43, and 45. A few had some 47s 48s and 50s. Here's a hole by hole recount if anybody was wondering haha.

Started off on the 9th hole. Hit a high hook to the right about 145 yards, first tee nerves got to me, then hit hybrid to 100 out, hit a wedge fat, hit a wedge onto the green, 3 putt

1st hole Par 4- Hit a monster tee shot about 260 yards dead center, hit a nice wedge shot over a greenside bunker from 75 yards out to about 18 feet. Left the putt short, and then missed a 6 footer for par so had a tap in bogey -___-

2nd hole Par 5- Hit another monster drive on a elevated tee box to within 20 yards of a large pond about 270 from the teebox. Duffed my 185 hybrid shot to the green and it went in the pond. Dropped in front of the pond and drove the green on my 4th stroke. Then I 4 putted for triple. I was so pissed at that point.

3rd hole Par 3- Hit my 6 iron fat and hit about 100 yards. Hit a wedge to about 15 feet then two putted for bogey.

4th hole Par 4- Hit a pretty long (for me) tee shot off an elevated teebox over a pond that needs about 190 carry and hit it about 240. About 130 out so I hit my 7 iron. Hit a low trajectory shot that skipped over the green. Hit a chip shot fat which went about 5 yards. Next one barely got on the green. Then I three putted for triple. Wasn't too happy again.

5th hole Par 4- Hit a high hook similar to my tee shot on 9, hit my hybrid from the right rough which has a few trees in it, it was a low screamer draw that stayed in the same rough, that went about 130,  but I ended up 40 yards out. Hit a wedge onto the green and two putted for bogey. Pretty decent save.

6th hole Par 4- It is a hole with an elevated tee box that curves down to the right after about 140 yards. I teed off with my hybrid and hit a beautiful draw that bent perfectly around the trees that border the right side. I ended up 100 yards out with an overhanging branch so I hit a 9 iron pin high to the left of the green. I then chipped on and sank a 14 footer for par.

7th hole Par 3- This is a tricky elevated two tiered green that plays 2 clubs longer if it is on the top tier. So while it is only 150 to the middle of the green it plays to about 175 when it is on the top tier. So I hit my trusty 19* hybrid which I put within 15 feet of the pin. Then I two putted for par.

8th hole Par 5- Had a blowup hole, bad tee shot, bad punch out, bad 2nd punch out, punch out, wedge over green, chip over green, didn't chip in. Was totally out of it. Bad finish.

All in all, not the worst 1st match ever, had some good (50 yard wedge shots) (some decent drives) and bad (chips and putts). Thankfully chips and putts are the easiest to practice. Next match Monday.

Congrats on the win! Glad to hear it went well for you. The first match jitters are always the worst and now that it's out of the way I wouldn't be at all surprised to see your score drop by at a least few strokes in your next match.

Definitely work on that short game though. It sounds like beating a dead horse, but the short game is the most important part of golf. The only club you are guaranteed to use on every hole is your putter.

Made the top 6 for the match Thursday! It's a really nice course so I am pretty excited to play it. I'm also going to get my putter fitted today, so that should help a lot.

I suggest you enjoy the game and just play golf.

If you think about results, you lose some of your game. Ask Bubba Watson.

Just play, have fun, and add them up after the round.

Shot a 50 at a course with Donald Ross greens. Tied for third on the team so my score counted. For some reason I kept hitting low pulls on every drive. Not sure what was up, didn't happen on the range beforehand. So I had to scramble my @#@ off, getting up and down for bogey a few times. I was at the 6 spot, and played with 2 guys in the 5 spot. One was on a hot streak and shot a 43. He played well and the other shot a 49. Playing a nice course on saturday that we compete on, on Tuesday.