Any advice for a fellow golfer?

[Tmauer144]

I've got golf try-outs for high school next week, just wondering if you guys had any tips!

Thanks.

[LongDrive04]

I've got golf try-outs for high school next week, just wondering if you guys had any tips!

Finally, someone that actually has to try out for a sport... lol sorry all the kids here (Texas) just walk on and play, they dont have to try out. Anyhow no advice here, just bring your A game. Good Luck

[Cypress]

I played on my golf team all four years when I was in high school (just graduated last year). Most of the spots on our team were already filled by players who were on the team previous years, and our coach supported the idea of seniority playing a role in who plays. I was fortunate enough to play starting freshman year because our team wasn't very talented.

Outside of swing fixes (which can't be accomplished in a week), here are a few tips that may help your chances of making the team:

• If you're trying out at a golf course - try to play the course beforehand so you have an advantage over those who have never played there.
• You're registered on a golf forum, so I'm going to assume that you're pretty serious about golf. If so, let your coach know you care about the game. You'll have a much better chance at making the team if you let your coach know that you practice a lot, take lessons (if you do), etc. The more serious of a golfer you sound, the more you'll look appealing to make the team
• Dress properly. It sounds simple, but if you dress like a hacker out there it doesn't help your case to make the team.
• Try to relax, one poor shot in front of your coach doesn't mean your chances are gone. Everybody plays poorly at times, if you happen to have an off day don't worry about it, just come back strong the next day.
• If you can get a hand on Bob Rotella's book - Golf is not a Game of Perfect, read it.
• Most importantly, and it's a total cliche, but have fun!

[ks8829]

I played on my golf team all four years when I was in high school (just graduated last year). Most of the spots on our team were already filled by players who were on the team previous years, and our coach supported the idea of seniority playing a role in who plays. I was fortunate enough to play starting freshman year because our team wasn't very talented.

Great tips! my son is playing on his high school team and is enjoying the experience, fortunately he did not have try outs and they were simple looking for warm bodies.

relax, have fun, practice the weakest part of your game, find out how they are going to decide who makes the team and prepare the best you can. Play some classical music before you play and see if this helps your tempo.

[shakogolfer78]

I have been on the HS team for the past three years, and from all the tournaments and the try-outs I have learned a few things. First of all, you need to understand your game that you bring to the course each day. What I mean is before the round hit the range and see if you are hitting a draw, fade, high, or low ball for the day, and then take the knowledge to the course. Take certains parts of the course out of play so your shot type will have the best chance to get in the fairway and on the green. Also, I think someone's mental toughness decides a good round from a bad one. No matter where you hit a shot, don't dwell on it! You need to look and the shot at hand. Tiger has a bad shot and rants and raves, but you never see him over the next shot worrying about what happened in the past. Finally, with relation to playing other opponents I have adopted the strategy of turning my back to their play. I do this to avoid the pressure of playing to someone elses game. You need to have your own game plan and stick to it good luck on making the team hope this helps.

In about a month I have try-outs too, so hopefully I can follow my own plan!

[Tmauer144]

Thanks guys! I know i have a really good chance of making it but i just want to make sure i bring my A game to show the coach what i've got. Good luck to everyone trying out this year!

[Eeryck]

Just to be totally cliche:

Take Dead Aim! - Thanks Harvey Penick

Swing within yourself - I think this was from Nicklaus' book

Swing in balance - Thanks A Gentleman's Game

Don't Panic! - The immortal words of Douglas Adams

Regards,
-E

[bogeymike]

The most important thing to remember is to relax, have fun and play your game. All of those things are easier said than done. I can't help you with the first two but remember if some gorilla hits a 280 yard driver over a bunker and you know you can't do that, don't. This early in the season just play conservative, smart golf. Play your style of golf. Practice your chipping and short putts. These make a huge difference in HS golf.

[ZaPPPa]

- Try to relax, one poor shot in front of your coach doesn't mean your chances are gone.

A poor shot is an opportunity. I bet the coach is looking for these kinds of shots to see how players react and how good their recovery skills are.

If you hit it in the woods and then manage to punch your way back on the green for par, isn't that more impressive than having two decent shots and make par? Just don't make poor shots on every hole.. obviously.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Go shoot 32. That should wrap things up rather quickly.

[Tmauer144]

32.... I'm shooting for 30

[RocketSauce]

yes, i have to agree with a lot of these posters, just relax, dont try to kill the ball

[Parker0065]

Looking back I remember that I was beyond nervous, but to me High School golf was really just about getting over being nervous. By my second year I had finally learned how to relax somewhat under pressure and I remember playing against kids that were so nervous that I knew I had them beat right from the first tee if I just controlled my nerves and emotions.

The first time I played at the State Championship I was the last to tee off in our threesome. It was, to this day the biggest crowd I had ever teed off in front off with hundreds of parents lining the fairway,,,I could barely swallow. The first guy in my group gets up to the tee with a driver, I could tell he was full of nerves, and he tops it about 50 yards into the lefthand rough. The next guy tees it up with a driver and tops it about 50 yards into the righthand rough. Now I'm even more nervous than ever, so I put my driver back in the bag, tee up a 3Wood, fought off the nerves, and just took the slowest, smoothest backswing I could and just tried to drop it into the slot on the down swing. It wasn't the greatest 3wood shot of my life but it did go right down the middle about 210 yards out. The crowd erupted like it was Tiger on #16 at Augusta,,,lol! I still get nervous thinking about it but what I'm trying to tell you is that you have to realize that all those players that you face are just as nervous as you are and the player that handles those nerves the best will be the winner.

So Good Luck and focus on each shot at hand!!!

[Tmauer144]

Thanks everyone! This really helps!