Tournament Players

[TheWookie]

there is no real way around nerves and a thats a good thing. First tee jitters mean your alive.

Good story...back in my PGA days i was playing on the So Cal side of the Nor Cal/So Cal Apprentice Cup matches. With the bulk of both teams, friends, family, and random spectators watching, I topped my drive into the trash can next to the ladies tees. Dohhhhhhh. Happens to everyone and you just learn from it. The next shot is a new game.

I think most people get too fast when they are nervous. I know i do. I try to really stretch and smooth it out to combat it. Think Freddy Couples. The more you put yourself in the competition zone, whether it is a tourny or a $2 nassau, the more youll be able to take advantage of the nervous energy.

[clubchamp]

I love the first tee jitters because it lets me know mentally that it's go time. I usually get on the tee take a few deep breaths and let it fly.

[ronaldkuntoro]

It's funny how things went on my last tournament. I don't feel nervous at the beginning and made 2 Pars on my first 2 holes. But I did really bad on my last 9 holes. It's more about stamina for me than mental state.

[ET-Taylor]

I play for my local clubs junior pennant team

[Gerald]

Our first hole is a left dogleg of about 470 yds, with lots of trouble at the left inside corner, "can" go arround with a draw of at least 250 yds carry ..... no place or time to get nervous here ..... safest is straight hybrid right side, followed by straight hybrid or long iron left side of the fairway and U&D; to save par.

[rfan2]

Swing easy, and remember to breathe.

"Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."
Henry Ford

[Dave H]

I've never played any type of competitive golf but I'll be playing in my first tournament next month. I expect to be a bit nervous on the first tee, but I've long since gotten over my fear of hitting in front of others so hopefully I can use that nervous energy for something positive. I'm actually feeling more nervous about not knowing a rule at the proper time...

[cignatz21]

It's is natural to feel nervous/anxious before a tournament. What I do before any competitive event is yawn a lot. Yeah it's weird, but actually, yawning gets more oxygen into your blood much faster and basically calms you down. It works for Olympic athlete Apolo Ohno, and I feel that it actually does calm my nerves quite a bit.

[Bechambo]

At a SCGA midam qualifier today. Feeling good. Practice round went well the other day, so I expect to play the course well today. Mild nerves, but it always peaks at that first drive and starts to settle about fairway 2.

[GolfLug]

It's is natural to feel nervous/anxious before a tournament. What I do before any competitive event is yawn a lot. Yeah it's weird, but actually, yawning gets more oxygen into your blood much faster and basically calms you down. It works for Olympic athlete Apolo Ohno, and I feel that it actually does calm my nerves quite a bit.

Great tip. BTW I think nerves only first tee for most. Of course 1st shot sets up the tone for a lot of folks for the round. I try to think about everyone else and know that they are all feeling it too. That in itself relieves the tension some.

[GHIN0011458]

Whether you play in high school, college, professionally or in local amateur events - if you play competitive tournament golf - please give your thoughts.

Do you get nervous before tournaments? How do you get in a comfortable state of mind to play great on tournament days?

I get anxious on the first tee but after that shot I am good to go. If you prepare well enough and know that your swing is ready to hold up under pressure, then you start to love tournament golf and embrace the pressure. That is how I get comfortable though, knowing I prepared my best for that tournament.

On a side note- I used to over think for like two days before the tournament started. That never helps me. I would map the course and I still do it, but I don't worry about the distances I will have in because those are hard to predict based on weather, firmness, rough length, etc. So now I just map out my lines and that is it.

[Bechambo]

I don't feel like the first shot or hole sets the tone for the rest of my round. Outcomes for me are dependent on my attitude throughout the round. And keeping my mind of my swing mechanics. And bs'ing on thesandtrap.com forums. Haha

[Golfingdad]

At a SCGA midam qualifier today. Feeling good. Practice round went well the other day, so I expect to play the course well today. Mild nerves, but it always peaks at that first drive and starts to settle about fairway 2.

Good luck today!!

BTW, here is a more current thread for discussing tournament rounds: http://thesandtrap.com/t/76592/the-tst-member-tournament-play-thread/0_30

Can't wait to hear all about it.  My goal is to one day be good enough to play in these types of tournaments, and the SCGA Mid-Am is probably the first one I'll try, if for no other reason than it is the first one I'll be eligible for as far as maximum index is concerned.  (4.4 maybe??)

[Golfingdad]

I don't feel like the first shot or hole sets the tone for the rest of my round. Outcomes for me are dependent on my attitude throughout the round. And keeping my mind of my swing mechanics. And bs'ing on thesandtrap.com forums. Haha

Brookside, eh??