How do you guys prepare for your club championship?

[CG031]

How do you guys go about preparing for your club championship? I would like to go out there and play well obviously, but it's July 10-11 36 hole stroke play (no handicaps) so it's coming up soon. This is my first year I've been a member at a course, so I've never played in a club championship.

Do you guys do anything specific to prepare? Just like any other tournament I guess?

I know I won't win, the same guy has won here 7 years in a row. He's crazy good. He drives the ball 80-100 yards past me on every hole...

[WUTiger]

From observing some better players who got overly pumped up, I'll tell you what not to do:

Do not play 18 holes and hit 300 practice balls each of the five days leading up to the tournament. You'll be so tired by the second day you can't hardly swing.

Probably want to leave the clubs alone the day before opening round.

[CG031]

Probably want to leave the clubs alone the day before opening round.

Lol, that I would never do. I might not hit 300 balls or play 36 holes, but I'll certainly touch a club. I play four times a week, and at least hit balls everyday...if I were to not touch a club the day before that may be a disaster...haha.

[hoser]

Do you guys do anything specific to prepare? Just like any other tournament I guess?

How do you normally prepare for a tournament? I have a pretty specific routine but I'm curious what your's is.

[clubchamp]

I don't really do anything different except I might eat a decent breakfast but changing your routine for tourney at your home course doesn't make much sense. The worst thing you can do is get pumped up and put pressure on yourself to play well.

[normdamarine]

How do you guys go about preparing for your club championship? I would like to go out there and play well obviously, but it's July 10-11 36 hole stroke play (no handicaps) so it's coming up soon. This is my first year I've been a member at a course, so I've never played in a club championship.

First, I would say that your statement about you not winning is the wrong way to start! If everyone on tour had that attitude then Tiger would win every week...(I know they are on different levels but I am just using that as an example) Believe me when I say this, EVERYONE CAN BE BEAT! I play with a group of guys who on any given day can shoot 3-5 under and that is a lot of pressure when you are playing for the money we play for.

Now, back to your question! At my level I read a lot, I have articles and a couple of books that I read when it starts getting toward tournament time. I am currently reading "How to win at golf without actually playing well". This time of the year is when I start getting ready for all my major tournaments all the way up until the end of the year. For the most part it is all mental with me, THE GRIND! That is how I have one tournaments and done really well when it is going wrong... You must understand that you are going to hit bad shots under pressure, everyone does... Follow this picture and never give up... Best of luck to you...

[weavej2]

lots of wedge work Putting time and short game galore...you arent going to out drive him..you have to out play him

[RemyM]

I don't do anything special, and I just won my third one for the 9-15 handicap range in the last 7 years and have 2 runner up finishes in that time too. Ours is 18 holes of stroke play for seeding with 16 going on to match play. I just focus myself much better and don't get too worked up over bad shots. Stroke play only is more pressure because you don't know what everyone else is doing, and a bad hole can have a big effect, but if you just have fun and don't beat yourself you'll be fine.

[CG031]

For most tournaments I don't really follow a specific routine. Which is why I was wondering if the better players here do when it comes tournament time.

The reason I say I won't win is I haven't shot anything under 78 in a while. I've been working on my swing with some lessons starting on June 1, and so far I've gotten better and better and better, but I haven't really always scored to well...yet.

[WUTiger]

Lol, that I would never do. I might not hit 300 balls or play 36 holes, but I'll certainly touch a club. I play four times a week, and at least hit balls everyday...if I were to not touch a club the day before that may be a disaster...haha.

Congrats to you. Sounds like you're a semi-pro. For me the amateur, there's a certain benefit to not touching the clubs the day before. You get psychological rest - we got ready, now let's see what happens - and a chance to do something for the family the day before so they leave you alone to play for a couple of days.

[CG031]

Well it makes sense if you plat every once in a while but I play everyday, so why would I take the day before off?

I understand where you're coming from but it'd be on my mind on that first tee the fact I didn't play the day before.

[leo3]

I don't do anything special, just show up and play like its a regular round. This helps keep me in the moment, and not get too much into my own head.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Wake up. Go play. See what happens. I dont really see the need to prepare for a course ive played 100 times..lol

[GolfBear]

Short game, short game, short game, short game, lag putting, short game, short game, more lag putting, short game, short game, bunker practice, short game.

2-3 hours per day for the week leading up to the tournament. Preferably 1.5 hours in the morning and 1.5 in the evening.

[Fairway_CY]

I agree with some of the other guys here... just handle it like any other round. The extra mental pressure you put on yourself by treating it differently could cause you to be more nervous early on. In a tournament (ANY tournament)... a single shot can be the difference. Just play your game and see where you stand after the first day.

Good luck, by the way! Also... what course in Jersey... ?

CY

[kpaulhus]

Put Ex Lax in their coffee. lol j/k!

[brgolf]

I hand in my worst scorecards and forge a few scores over 90 just to make sure.

[CG031]

Architects Golf Club