Playing at first tournament...advice?

[imtomtomim]

Analyze every putt. Don't think it's an easy one and just go tap it. Step back and take a quick look, then go back into it. Patience.

[Kieran123]

Well....I bombed lol...I played a course Friday which was tough. 138/73.1 and shot 93....my driver was going right all day and I couldn't fix it....so other than that, I played O.K.

Saturday at tournament shot 96...my worst round since I can remember, bad drives going OB or lost balls, second day...96 again...driver was better but still, got me in enough trouble to rack up some 8's and even a 9...third day...96...drove better again, but was hitting everything else short ( in water/sand/trees ) and putting badly.....saved 4 pars with chip ins....and I chipped in for a 9 on a par 5 lol

I wasn't nervous, but just couldn't get it together...three of my worst rounds on a course that isn't even that hard.

I came 9th out of 12 in my flight....everybody struggled, 5 handicappers shooting high 80's low 90's but my flight seemed to be pretty consistent in the low 80's....except for me and a few other guys.

Anyway, my handicap went up to 11.8....and I am going for a fitting session for my clubs ASAP to see if I can get any help out of them, then work more on my swing.

[TN94z]

That sounds like my first tournament last year. I said that it wasn't nerves either....but thinking back on it, I believe it had a lot to do with it. The course was longer than I was used to, but when it comes down to it, it's still the same shots you hit every day.

Stick with tournament play and you will become familiar with this type stuff and start seeing better results.

[Kieran123]

My biggest change was pace of play...just over 6 hours....I usually finish in around 4 hours.

I have another tournament this weekend coming, so we'll see!

It was fun though, played with different guys each day who were all good guys and had a lot of laughs.

[TN94z]

It was fun though, played with different guys each day who were all good guys and had a lot of laughs.

That's the best part of it for me. I enjoy playing my own ball in tournaments more than anything else. Keep us updated on your next one!

[DaSportsGuy]

I'll never forget my first tournament. I was on the first tee so nervous my legs were shaking. The night before I played one of the worst rounds of the year and my drives were horrible. Hit my tee shot on Hole 1 which is still to date one of the best of my life. An absolute bomb. Got my 9i on, took my par, and was on my way. Still one of my best rounds on the year.

[jamo]

I'll never forget my first tournament. I was on the first tee so nervous my legs were shaking. The night before I played one of the worst rounds of the year and my drives were horrible. Hit my tee shot on Hole 1 which is still to date one of the best of my life. An absolute bomb. Got my 9i on, took my par, and was on my way. Still one of my best rounds on the year.

I remember my first non golf team tournament. It was at Shaker Hills Golf Club in Harvard, MA, and I was shaking so badly on the first hole. I ended up basically shanking the ball, dead left and about 25 yards ahead. I ended up played my next shot well up the 9th hole, and hit the most amazing knockdown PW that snaked through the trees and finsihed about 15 feet away. I rolled in the most ridiculous par of my life.

[motteler621]

the first huge tournament I played in was pretty scary as well. There were like 100 people gathered around the first tee watching you at every angle, lol. I just swung and hit a nice shot in the fairway luckily and everyone clapped. I had no lessons back then which probably wasnt smart.

[Sandplay]

My first tournament I was really nervous. After slicing one OB off the first tee it took me 7 shots to hole out on the easiest par 4 on the course and it didn't get much better from then on doubles and bogeys all day. I did learn alot from that round though and can't wait to play tourneys when they come up.

[TN94z]

My first "real" tournament was a state qualifier last year. On the first tee, I got up there and hit a fade (normal ball flight is a draw, so I knew it wasn't good). Luckily the hole called for a fade....so I got the "good shot" from the officials and my playing partner (not realizing how lucky I had been with that miss). It took what seemed like forever to find my ball as it found it's way into some pine trees. After using almost all of my time finding the ball, I was really nervous!! I went on to par the par 5 (which should have been an easy birdie). I was even through the first 6 and then it went downhill fast when the rain set in.....I mean it really got away from me. I think I put too much pressure on my shots and tried to do too much with them because I knew the rain was making the course play longer.

Long story short....I didn't qualify.

[Lefty-Golfer]

My first tournament i was a 14. It was an ABCD team match our club. i was the D player. I shot 84 and 86 for the weekend, two of my best rounds of the year at that time. My teamates were very happy to have me. We won just under 2k and I am now addicted to tournament golf. club championship is next weekend!!

[motteler621]

My first tournament i was a 14. It was an ABCD team match our club. i was the D player. I shot 84 and 86 for the weekend, two of my best rounds of the year at that time. My teamates were very happy to have me. We won just under 2k and I am now addicted to tournament golf. club championship is next weekend!!

wow 2,000? dang I need to sign up for some of these tournaments when I get good

I remember a huge tournament I was in in high school and a guy on my team who was number 1 or 2 depending on the week shot in the 70's. I couldnt believe it because it was a hard course and a brand new course that I hadnt played before. The kid was good and only had a swing speed of like 85 with driver,lol. He used regular shafts in all his clubs.

[Lefty-Golfer]

350.00 per man to enter.

[motteler621]

350.00 per man to enter.

oh ok. yea I played a scramble this summer and we tied for first place in our flight. We should have won though, On the last hole I hit a approach shot about 5 feet from the hole. My friend hit his approach shot about 15-20 feet from the hole. We didnt know we were tied for first and there was a longest putt contest on that hole. We decided to not use my close shot and go for the longest one to maybe get a prize. Needless to say we all missed it and found out we tied for first. We didnt get the money because the team who tied us got a birdie on 18, we got a par. Im sure it was a decent amount of money too, course costs 100 bucks a round per person. sucks

[TN94z]

350.00 per man to enter.

Holy crap! The most I have ever paid for a team tournament was like 100.00. That was winning 1500.00. I would have to really, REALLY like my chances to drop 350 on a tournament

[rkim291968]

If you are uncertain about rules, how is it resolved?   Do you ask playing partner for ruling agreement?   I take it there are no officials following around you in most cases.

[iacas]

If you are uncertain about rules, how is it resolved?   Do you ask playing partner for ruling agreement?   I take it there are no officials following around you in most cases.

Look it up in the rules book, or worst case, use 3-3 and play two balls and seek a decision at the first opportunity.