Do you play better in tournaments?

I noticed today, looking back through my handicap calculations, that nine of the ten scores used for my handicap have come from tournaments, with only one of them appearing in a casual round. I also noticed that in the next revision I will have replaced that one casual round (and two others) with three tournaments rounds that have a lower differential. This would lead me to believe that I play better in tournaments than casual or practice rounds, which would make sense to me since I tend to prepare more thoroughly and focus better in a tournament than if I'm not competing. I'm curious as to how my experience relates to the general masses (i.e. The Sand Trap community) in this regard.

Casual round for me. To clarify, a casual round for me is the standard better ball/skins game we play every day as a group. So even though it is more casual than a tournament round, it's still a competitive round. I wouldn't post a practice round for handicap.

This year my low "casual round" is 73.

My low tourney round is 78.

My index is hovering around 7.

And how do you differentiate between a casual round and a practice round?

Same for me. Very easy to bust out the driver when it isn't necessary or go for the hero shot when nothing is on the line. That and not giving much care to reading putts can lead to some sloppy holes for me. Playing with a group of good players also helps.

Casual round is our standard daily game, by the book except will pick up my ball when I'm out of the hole, some putts are good and not putted out...etc., competing for money

Practice round is usually alone, hitting multiple shots from the same spot, putting with the flagstick, etc. and no money on the line....not competing.

Tournament round is a by the book, everything putted out score. competing for cash and pro shop money

My best rounds have been casual rounds when playing with cart and another good golfer on an open course where we can make our own pace on a day with light winds.

It helps keep rhythm and the ability to just hit good shots without too much over analysis, loss of concentration, waiting, pressures, just out having a great time.

Not saying I have good and bad rounds when playing both tournament or casual rounds, it's all fun on days when playing well.

Last year I won a match against a friend who played incredible having the best round of his life, even par through 15 holes,

but it was one of those rounds for me, putt's were dropping along with a few tap in birds which ruined his day.

Golf is just like any sport, being just a moment in time when it's your time to shine.

Enjoy the day because that's what the game is about for everyone.

Club Rat

I have been a bogey golfer or just slightly better for about 35 years give or take. At one time in my 30's I may have been close to a 10ish hc, but did not keep a real handicap then. Even at my best and still today, I am capable of an 80 one day and a 95 the next. I played in a club championship once shooting 91 the first day and 81 the next. Just a few lipped putts that fell or didn't and one or two less shanked wedges.

I do, too, but I think others do the same.   One guy I played against in match play tee'd off with iron or hybrid the entire round.  He could have used a driver but didn't want to take a chance at OB and give up a hole that way.

I voted for doing better in casual rounds but it's only by a small margin.   I tend to play to my handicap potential resulting in various place finishes (never won but placed 2nd and 3rd as well as the dreaded last place finish).