Jump to content
IGNORED

Tips / Hints for first club tournament


ashjamben
Note: This thread is 3338 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Thanks for reading! I'm just looking for some hints or tips you guys might have for me. I've been playing golf for around 9 months, played in a few competitions with a few friends in a society (not serious golfers) but have joined my local club and have my first stableford competition at the weekend. I've had a playing membership for 6 months so know the course well, but don't know any members and will be put into a group in the morning of the comp. I would say I do quite well in terms of etiquette but having only played with friends there might be a few things I've never been told! I'm also very nervous when playing with new people, so any tips to help with my nerves would be great! I would add I have absolutely no chance of winning. I have an inactive handicap at the moment of 18.5 even though my best round ever is 97. Not sure how the handicap was worked out but hopefully that will be reviewed after a few bottom places at tournaments. But regardless, I'm more interested in meeting some new people to play golf with and getting better at golf than winning, so it's not too much of a problem. Thanks for reading. Looking forward to the replies.
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Get a copy of the rules of Golf if you don't already have one and read through it.  Don't skip the Etiquette and Definitions sections.  Any time you have a question, ask a fellow competitor for help if you think that he might know the answer, or go with Rule 3-3 and play a second ball so that you are covered if your idea of the correct procedure turns out to be incorrect.  Try not to spend a lot of time messing with the rule book on course.  Don't assume that your fellow competitors know the rules just because they have been playing in comps for longer than you have.  There is a lot of misinformation spread mouth to mouth, many rules myths get perpetuated that way.

Then just go out and have fun.  Play your game and don't worry about score.  The more you think about the competition, the more stress you put on your game.  Just enjoy it the same way you do a casual round.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Then just go out and have fun.  Play your game and don't worry about score.  The more you think about the competition, the more stress you put on your game.  Just enjoy it the same way you do a casual round.

This is cogent advice and if followed you will be OK.  Carpe Diem (seize the day) and remember you're not at work.

  • Upvote 1

Butch

Link to comment
Share on other sites



Just don't do what I did.  I played my first real tournament in a long time this year and was very nervous.  Surprisingly, I hit a great first drive.  However, twice during the tournament, I picked up my ball before putting out.  I had to call a penalty on myself both times, of course, but it was just more embarrassing than anything.

My advice is to make sure you practice your first tee shot the last thing during your warm-up.  Maybe hit a 3/4 swing driver or 3W off the first tee.  Take your time and slow down.  You will not realize how fast and hurried you move when you get nervous.

Robert Spann

:ping: :adidas: :adams: :leupold: :nike: :srixon: :nickent:

Link to comment
Share on other sites


The thing that calms me down the most when I get nervous is just realizing that I'm out playing a game that I love. It's better than working or a number of recreational activities, so why get scared of it? When rules come into play, confer with the other players in your group. They can help you with understanding a rule if you don't and also provide verification that you did follow procedure in the event something happens. When in doubt, play two balls! But really, just relax and have fun! I love tournament golf and find it fun to see how I measure up against others.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I would say I do quite well in terms of etiquette but having only played with friends there might be a few things I've never been told! I'm also very nervous when playing with new people, so any tips to help with my nerves would be great!

One suggestion is to let your fellow competitors know that you are relatively new to competitive golf and that they shouldn't assume you know all the finer points about what is expected of you.  More experienced players will often help you along and make sure you don't violate some rule or point of etiquette.

Fourputt made a good suggestion to familiarize yourself with commonly encountered Rules (water and lateral water hazards, unplayable lie both in and out of a bunker, out of bounds, lost ball).  Very few people are extremely knowledgeable about the Rules so it helps to understand the ones you most likely will encounter.  Fellow competitors are allowed to provide Rules information so if in a pickle and you are not certain what to do, ask them but understand that often they are no more informed than you.  Also, make sure you read and understand any Local Rules or Conditions of Competition that may apply.

My last suggestion is play your own game and don't change your approach because it is a competition.  If you would typically layup on a hole and go for a bogey or double bogey, then do the same in the event.  You will be receiving strokes so no one is expecting you to par every hole.

Brian Kuehn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Tell them to make sure and "go easy on the new guy."

Beat the pants off of them.

Julia

:callaway:  :cobra:    :seemore:  :bushnell:  :clicgear:  :adidas:  :footjoy:

Spoiler

Driver: Callaway Big Bertha w/ Fubuki Z50 R 44.5"
FW: Cobra BiO CELL 14.5 degree; 
Hybrids: Cobra BiO CELL 22.5 degree Project X R-flex
Irons: Cobra BiO CELL 5 - GW Project X R-Flex
Wedges: Cobra BiO CELL SW, Fly-Z LW, 64* Callaway PM Grind.
Putter: 48" Odyssey Dart

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

As a high handicapper and new golfer? Honestly? just have fun. It's not even like you're just new to tournaments... You're new to golf. Kudos for entering. Take note of what situations make it fun and definitely make a note of what situations make you uncomfortable. The key is trying to differentiate what situations/shots seem completely different from all the rounds you play at the same exact course all the time but now in a tournament. If you play it down (as you should) shouldn't be too different. If you don't, it's sometimes overwhelming suddenly playing it down in a tournament. A lot of people fluff their lies etc...even in fairway, it's comical actually.. With your your hcp there's no pressure on you, wait til you have played at least a year and you play in lower flights.... Just tell yourself look how far I've come in a short period of time. Tournament golf is the best to me, but it's completely different. Personally I think playing in tournaments will make you grow faster, I absolutely thrive on it. I guess because I'm not a huge gambler like most low hcp'rs like me.. Trust me, it's hard having a low hcp and not gambling... So tournaments is where you can get your adrenaline. It took many years for me to finally win my club championship... Concentrate on not getting too up, or too down. No matter how you play, good attitude is respected by all... Like Bobby Jones said, " there's golf and there's tournament golf......."
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Thanks for all the replies! I'll try to take on board all the advice given, although I would say keeping calm and just relaxing is easier said than done. I think the current tournaments are pretty laid back at the moment with it being on the winter tees and some winter greens, so hopefully that'll ease me into playing tournament golf before the monthly medals start playing from the competition tees!
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I'll try to take on board all the advice given, although I would say keeping calm and just relaxing is easier said than done.

Something that I found out playing in tournaments that helps me a lot is that, on a physical level, nervousness and excitement are very similar. Elevated heart rate, feeling "jumpy", butterflies in your stomach, etc. I just always told myself I as excited to play in tournaments, not nervous, and now I know I genuinely am excited to play in tournaments.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Playing in a tournament makes me concentrate. I focus. I bring out my "A" game. What you see in my handicap is not my "A" game: I take too many risks, and I lose concentration.

Julia

:callaway:  :cobra:    :seemore:  :bushnell:  :clicgear:  :adidas:  :footjoy:

Spoiler

Driver: Callaway Big Bertha w/ Fubuki Z50 R 44.5"
FW: Cobra BiO CELL 14.5 degree; 
Hybrids: Cobra BiO CELL 22.5 degree Project X R-flex
Irons: Cobra BiO CELL 5 - GW Project X R-Flex
Wedges: Cobra BiO CELL SW, Fly-Z LW, 64* Callaway PM Grind.
Putter: 48" Odyssey Dart

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I played my 1st tournament (not a serious one, a 2 day event with 90% handicap given) as if I wasn't playing in one.   I.e, I was quite relaxed although I was tad nervous about 1st few short putts (less than 3 feet).  I ended up finishing 2nd out of 40+ players and I think playing "relaxed" helped quite a bit.   Since then, I could never replicated that success in 6 - 7 tournaments.   I was trying to win those :cry: .

RiCK

(Play it again, Sam)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

So turns out I got my dates wrong. No Stableford comp this weekend but have put my name down to play in the monthly medal next Sunday! Played 6 holes this morning whilst my girlfriend was shopping and managed +8 so looking forward to playing. Again, thanks for all the tips.
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Sorry guys, me again! Just a quick question about scorecards. In the small competitions I've played with friends we've always marked scores as a group, not signing, etc. Is there a formal/usual way scorecards are done in club competition? Should I just mark my own score or will someone be designated as the scorer? Don't want to get to the first green holed and not know what to do! Thanks
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Sorry guys, me again!

Just a quick question about scorecards. In the small competitions I've played with friends we've always marked scores as a group, not signing, etc.

Is there a formal/usual way scorecards are done in club competition? Should I just mark my own score or will someone be designated as the scorer? Don't want to get to the first green holed and not know what to do!

Thanks

We always exchanged cards on the first tee.  Never mark your own card in a real competition.  Then after the round, get together with your marker and review each score, when your'e sure it's correct then sign your card and return it to the committee.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Hey guys, he's playing Stableford golf.  That means he can pick up his ball anytime, no penalty.  Which i suggest he does if that hole gets out of hand. As in the water twice, 400 yards out and he won't get any points so pick up the ball and quit the hurt.  Focus on the next hole.

And i also suggest that if you exchange cards with someone prior to the match, that you inform him that you will NOT keep his points but only the gross score he reports to you.  Mark that one number down on the card.   Later the committee will figure out the points and will save you from many headaches along the way.

Every shot counts, play the best you can and try to keep you mind off the score/points coz at your stage of golf, it's all about 'one shot at a time'.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 3338 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...