my first tourny

[wedge player]

well on march 8th im going to play in my first tourny anyone have any tips for playing in tournys??

[denver_nuggs_15]

  wedge player said:

well on march 8th im going to play in my first tourny anyone have any tips for playing in tournys??

This is all from a competitive sports standpoint in general, not from a golf-specific standpoint:

Keep your head in the game. One of my buddies is a very good golfer (scratch or a 1). He just loses his head and game if he messes up a shot. He'll turn a 73 into a 76 because he loses focus for a few holes. Don't do that. Don't beat yourself. Mental toughness is one of the things that both varsity coaches I've had (Bball and vball) have tried to instill upon us. We were in a volleyball tourny and we let our emotions run wild. We were really pumped when we won a point, but felt like crap when we lost a point. In the end, we lost because of that. (That and the other team was probably better anyway). Our coach, to calm us down later in the season, wanted us to visualize a really calm setting - beach, whatever for a few seconds. It helped and in golf you can do that quite often if you feel the need. Smile. Seriously. Smiling releases endorphins which make you happier. I would bet that if you play when happy, you'll play better. Best of luck! And let us know how it goes.

[jonanthans]

My advice is to just play your game. If the guys in your group are all cutting a corner, playing a shot over a tree, hitting flop shots to a tucked pin, etc, etc, maybe shots you dont normally take chances on, don't be afraid to play it safe and do what you normally would do. I see a lot of golfers get tripped up like this, because they think they have to follow what everyone else is doing. I fell into the same thing, in my first tournament I shot like crap, one of the worst scores I had ever posted, at a course that I play all the time. After the round, I realized I wasn't playing to my strengths, I was following the pack because I felt thats what I was supposed to do. I always make it a point to remind myself of this before every round that I play. Play the game the way you usually play it, and you will be fine.

Good luck, and let us know how you do!!

[Ian]

  wedge player said:

well on march 8th im going to play in my first tourny anyone have any tips for playing in tournys??

go have fun and enjoy it, remember even if you have a bad day that there will be other times and think of it as a walk in the park.

Remember its just an everyday round and if by chance you play extremely well you could win something, an added perk Just remember tournaments ARE a formal occasion and the ettiquete must be observed, other than that its the exact same as your reqular 18

[bogeyhitter25]

I agree with Jonathans. Don't worry about your playing partner's shot, just worry about your own. And hit it the way you normally hit it.

[wedge player]

  wedge player said:

well on march 8th im going to play in my first tourny anyone have any tips for playing in tournys??

and im gonna be playin a new iron set as well as never played the course before this oughta be interesting

[TheNatural]

Enjoy the moment...you only get to play a tourney for the first time ONCE ! I know its no comparison but I was nervous playing my first scramble! and wouldnt you know my sorry ass outdrove the field on the LD hole! and our group took 2nd in our flight! some day I may get to play in a club tourney and then i'll really be pumped.

Just Enjoy The Experience.

[bogeymike]

  Ian said:

go have fun and enjoy it, remember even if you have a bad day that there will be other times and think of it as a walk in the park.

This is right on in mu opinion. After playing high school and mediocre college golf I realized the best strategy to me is to just have fun. You're entering this because you want to right? If you're not having fun don't do it. Relax and play within yourself. If you play with a gorilla who's hitting the ball 400 yards don't worry just do whatever you'd usually do. Just have a good time

[ks8829]

Make sure that you have a preshot routine for all your shots so that under pressure you have your regular routine that is comfortable and repeatable.

[dave1980]

  wedge player said:

well on march 8th im going to play in my first tourny anyone have any tips for playing in tournys??

Good luck in your comp, I see from your h'cap that you play off 5 so you are probably a decent player anyway so no matter what I say you will already have enough experience and game to have a good one! Enjoy the round and play to your strengths, not your playing partners.

[Quinn07]

What kind of tourney are you entering? Is it through your course or a regional sanctioned event?

The atmosphere may be completely different. In my experience, when I play in a clubchampionship, intersectionals, etc, the atmosphere is completely different from when I play in an OVGA event. The club event is still competitive, however it is a little more laid back in terms of discussion and such than the sanctioned event. I sometimes ask a friend to come with me to the sanctioned events, just so I have some one to chat with, especially not knowing what my playing partner(s) is going to be like. Some people look at it as though I have a caddie, which is nice, but it's nice to have a familiar face and someone who I know to chat with and I don't have to try and make small talk. Just keeps me loose. I don't always have someone there, but when I do, it's much more enjoyable IMO.

I guess it would also come down to how serious you want to take the event. It could take a few events to figure out how to keep your mind in control and stay loose. As your first event you are going to feel some anxiety regardless of how you play.

Just stay calm and play each shot as it comes, don't get ahead of yourself.

[David in FL]

Review the rules and carry a rules book.

Most recreational golfers.....even those that "play it down" can be pretty imprecise in interpreting the rules. Don't get yourself DQ'd because someone in your group knows the rules better than you and calls you on a silly, inadvertant mistake.

Have fun!

[wedge player]

well my tournys tomorrow and today when i played my game was firing on all cylinders.stuck a 130 yd lob wedge to 7 ft a 208yd 6 iron to about 10 ft holed a 15 yd flop outta narley rough hope the shots keep comin

[Jcp907]

  wedge player said:

well my tournys tomorrow and today when i played my game was firing on all cylinders.stuck a 130 yd lob wedge to 7 ft a 208yd 6 iron to about 10 ft holed a 15 yd flop outta narley rough hope the shots keep comin

Awesome news!

Here are some ideas from the book Mind Over Golf: It's okay to have butterflies, just get them flying in formation If you hit a poor shot, don't be afraid to blame something or someone, as long as it isn't you. Externalize it, it's easier to put it behind you, then put it behind you. Don't make a habit out of doing this, but do it during the event to get past it. Concentrate on one shot at a time, and only on that shot, throughout your routine. Also, talk to yourself in a positive manner. If you hit a bad shot, think about what you would say to a playing partner that made the same bad shot, usually it would be something encouraging. Say that to yourself. Good luck!

[Shorty]

  Jcp907 said:

Awesome news!

Am I correct in understanding this thread? A 5 marker has yet to play his first competitive round of golf. He is asking for advice. He is being advised to have a pre-shot routine, to know the rules and not be influenced by the actions of others on the course. The 5 marker then says that he's happy because the day before he hit a wedge less than 10 feet from the hole. Seriously, have I missed something here?

[sosinsurr]

Just don't forget to have fun!

I remember my first "real" competitive tournament outside of high school matches...nerve racking, butterflies like crazy...the works!

Just stick to your game and don't worry about anything/anyone else out there. They are correct, dont get caught up in what your partners doing and yes, if you have a pre-shot routine, stick to it!

[wedge player]

  Shorty said:

Am I correct in understanding this thread? A 5 marker has yet to play his first competitive round of golf. He is asking for advice. He is being advised to have a pre-shot routine, to know the rules and not be influenced by the actions of others on the course. The 5 marker then says that he's happy because the day before he hit a wedge less than 10 feet from the hole. Seriously, have I missed something here?

i was askin for advice of keeping nerves down,i shoul have stated that i know the rules and have pretty good skills but have never played under any real pressure.

[Shorty]

  wedge player said:

i was askin for advice of keeping nerves down,i shoul have stated that i know the rules and have pretty good skills but have never played under any real pressure.

Whenever I become frustrated with my game, which is often, I just try to think about how lucky I am to be playing. Better than living in a cave in Afghanistan or being in a wheelchair! Tends to make you appreciate it. The other thing is that everyone has an "if only" tale of woe. Don't give up and if you can't come 23rd, try to come 24th, as Tiger's father taught him.