Learning how to play tournament golf...again

Tournament golf is just different from a casual round with you buddies.

I played HS and a little in college; basically the first 8 years of my golfing life were spent playing in a lot of tournaments.  When I left college golf, I didn't play in another stroke play tournament for 18 years.

I played in my first two tournaments over the last two weekends.  A buddy set up a small league of players, all (supposedly) 5 HCP or better.  The point was to get a group of guys who love golf to play in tournament conditions against other good players.  I wanted to play for two reasons:  play with other low HCP players (something I rarely get to do), and see if my 2 HCP holds up under tournament conditions.

We played 36 holes each of the last two weekends on two courses where I average about 76.  I shot 80, 77, 72, 80, or +21 over 4 rounds.

The interesting thing was that I had two stretches of holes that were combined for +15:  +8 over six holes in the second round, and +9 over four holes in the fourth round.  I did things that I rarely do:  back-to-back double bogeys, triple bogeys, and even a quad on one hole.  However, I bounced back from these holes with stretches of -4 over 10 holes and -3 over 7 holes.  This is very different from my normal game:  I'm usually a 3 birdies, 6 bogeys, 9 pars guy.  Boring, consistent golf.

I also remembered that I really, really like tournament golf.  Digging a giant hole, and then crawling out if it, was even pretty fun.  I also figured that I can get it done and shoot pretty low if I can keep myself from going off the reservation.  Honestly the 10 birdies and 2 eagles over a 54-hole stretch surprised me more than the triple and quad.

Anyway, that's my recent experience with playing my first stroke-play tournament in nearly 20 years, and how it was "different" for me.  Anyone else have similar experiences?

I have a similar golf back ground to you and this summer was the first time in 7 years (and 2nd time in 20 years) that I played a decent amount of golf (about 3 times per week).  I have been enjoying it and felt my overall game has improved a lot this season, but was disappointed that I only got in 1 match play tournament round.  It came during a stretch where I was having a lot of two way misses and I didn'`t play well, but it was still fun.

Next summer I am giving serious consideration to getting a pass at what I consider an inferior golf course just because they have a weekly men`s league.

I haven't played in a tournament in over 12 years. My best golfing bud has been goading me into playing FSGA events, but I know I'm just not ready yet. But I'm getting there. I think next Spring I'll join FSGA & play some of their one-day events. My swing is getting better; I've found a couple of simple, repeatable keys that seem to be working. Dropped my hc from 7.3 to 4.9 in about 4 months. At my best I was about a 3. And I'm now over 50, so I can play in my age group.

Thing is, I know how hard tournaments are. Doesn't matter what level - tournament golf is an entirely different animal than, well, non-tournament golf. And when I'm playing casual rounds, if I hit an iffy shot I think 'That will not do in a tournament.' And I ain't gonna play tournaments until I know I won't embarrass the hell out of myself.

Yes playing tournament golf is different than just playing a $5 Nassau with your buddies.  I enjoy tournaments, mostly 2 man team stuff,  but have not played in one for awhile as I lost my partner awhile back and just have not found a suitable replacement yet.  But I hope to return to action someday.

I hear there is no better feeling than tournament play. The only tournaments I have played in were entry level junior golf tournaments which I don't even remember how good I was. I must have not been very good because I do remember getting the trophy for "Best attitude" or something like that, lol. I joined up an OB sports club here and they give me some free tournament (I think) play that I will definitely try out even though my HCI is pretty high, it's all for experience. I would also like to try out the Southern Nevada Golf Association tournaments that take place in the valley eventually as well.

Tournament golf is the best for me. I've found for me, the trick to playing well and really enjoying it is your viewpoint on the feeling you have on the first tee. A lot of people see it as a nervous thing, where you feel pressure. I've found that what works to make it really fun and much easier, is to think of the pressure as excitement. Think about it, aren't the two feelings VERY similar? It's close enough for me that I can "fool" my body into thinking I'm just excited, not feeling anxious or nervous. When I do that, it helps me relax and just enjoy the competition.

Well, there's no better feeling than playing well in tournament play. Conversely, it's is extremely humbling to work hard on your game, think you're ready...and then go out & post an 87...when you're carrying a 4 handicap. I've been there. You want to crawl into a hole, especially when they post that score up there for the world to see.

Heh, for years I had what I would call my 'tournament swing' - a truncated, sped-up version of my regular swing - no flowing backswing, no pause at the top...just a lightning-fast Zorro slash. That's what tournaments will do to you. You will get out of your comfort zone real quick...sometimes on the first tee. Your flaws get magnified real quick. And your swing gets real quick...real quick.

And when the wheels get wobbly, and they will, your mental discipline is critical. Slooooow down, breathe, one shot at a time.

Should you successfully navigate those self-induced hazards, then yes. There is nothing more satisfying to hand in your signed card sporting a 71 & see your name placed at the top of the board. I've been there too. You just stand there and smile...you've defeated your toughest opponent. Yourself.

Ditto this.

While I haven't posted any lights-out tournament rounds yet (I think my best score is a handful of "net 70" rounds), I have known the despair of a truly horrific round under pressure. If there was one thing that ever came close to convincing me to give up this wonderful game, it was the feeling of frustration and helplessness when things completely fall apart during a tournament. Fortunately, much like anything else, I have gotten better with practice and while my handicap has been stagnant for awhile, my variance in tourament rounds is gradually going down.

Even better, I've gone 2-0 so far in my first attempt at match play, and I think I am hooked. There is nothing in the world that can erase the frustration of a bad round more than pulling off a clutch shot when it matters to beat your opponent 1-up.

I think that is a good way to approach it and not all that far from the truth.  I think I tend to be more nervous on the first tee and more excited coming down the stretch if I am playing well or in contention.

I played my first tournament round this past July. 36 hole stroke play and loved it. First tee was rough but it was a rush and addictive. Played bad and seeing my score posted for everyone to see on the score board was nerve racking. But the encouragement from fellow golfers after about the good golf shots I had made it a positive experience and one  I look forward to doing more often.

Ha--so true!!  I experienced both of these feelings in the same weekend.  Even par for the first round, and everyone saying "great round" as I savor my post-round beer sitting on a 3-shot lead over a handful of 75s.

Then, the next day, clinging to that lead as I post 3 bogeys in my first 7 holes.  Then quad, par, double, triple for 8-11.  Fought it back with 2 birdies and an eagle in the last 7, but staring at that 80 on the board was just humiliating.

About 15 yrs ago I played 3 summers in a league, so I became pretty tournament hardened, and got down to a 7.6 hc. This past year I joined a CC and played in the club championship a few weeks ago. It was hilarious, on the first tee of the qualifying round, my hands were shaking so bad it took me 4 tries to get the ball on the tee. But I shot barely well enough (85) to qualify, then played fairly well to beat my opponent in the quarters, and lost in match play in the semis to a guy who sported a 14 hc but shot a 79. In all three rounds I played 'meh' golf, not great but not horrendous.

But yes, tournament play is a different animal. Whether you do well or poorly, it is a great way to elevate and strengthen your game. Sure, you might get humiliated and beat down a few times, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger in the long run. I can always tell when I play someone who is used to playing tournaments. Just like a war veteran who has been in  battle, there is a certain air of composure about them.

In my first book, which was about my lifelong love affair with golf, I had a chapter entitled 'Playing Naked', which is how I describe playing tournament golf. I shared when I was 16 & tried out for my high school golf team...I was shaking as bad as you described, and the funny thing is, up until that moment in time I was totally fine. There's just something about teeing up a ball on the first hole of a tournament, knowing people are watching you. There's no team to hide behind. It's just you. You're naked.

My tee shot that day? I hit a foot behind the ball & rolled it off the tee about 50 yards, when not 10 minutes earlier I was striping 250y drives on the range. My second shot I went under it & poppoed it up another 50 yards. My third swing was a slice into the woods. I triple-bogeyed the first hole. I wanted to die. I didn't make the team.

Two years later, same tee, same situation, trying to make the team. I nailed one of those 250y drives that I was hitting on the range. I looked at the coach & he gave me a wink & a thumbs up. I shot 77-76 and made the team.

Yep, even your bad tournament experiences will make you stronger. Good story.

Kind of strange, I actually hit that opening tee shot well, and played the first 4 holes OK (2 pars and 2 bogies if I recall correctly) even though I was shaking. It wasn't until later that things started going awry..

I want to feel these feelings so very badly, haha. I can't wait. I'd imagine I would feel a variety of nervous, anxious, & excitement when I gave it a whirl.

I can't hit the ball well with the course maintenance crew watching me, no less deal with the pressure of playing in a tournament with others watching you tee off.  I hope to get there some day, but right now it's a long term goal at best.

I'm sure there is more pressure, probably as much as you put on yourself but at the other end of the stick, it's pprobably no different than playing with another group of players you don't know as a single.

As it turns out I'm going to play in my first golf tournament on the 19th of this month. It's at a very short Par 70 course called Los Prados, I think it's 5450 from the tips. Should be fun! I'm getting pumped up just thinking about it. I'm glad I picked up Zen Golf, time to read and practice, haha.