tournament meltdown.

[Rezgolf]

can somebody tell me why when I play a normal round of golf I shoot just fine, and when I play in a tournament I resemble someone who has just picked up the game? I see the looks from the other players, and I feel like a jackass. I know that I can play better than I am playing but I cannot for the life of me correct my mistakes. I have one more tournament round left and its a match play event. I need some help or I will be yet again embarassed, and get my ass handed to me again. Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated, do you think its a mental thing?

[DBake]

One of the following should suit you fine
1. Go get laid
2. Change up your pretournment
a. go put before you hit balls (if you hit balls before you putt normally)
b. not hit balls at all and show up 15 mins before you tee off get a little stretch swing the club one or two times and play
3. From Tin Cups Caddy, "You need to get drunk, you always player better drunk."

Off topic, is that your avator picture of Apple Tree GC in Washington? I'm going to try and play that course this summer, after graduation in May.

[chingali]

You need to just play some more tournaments to get used to it.

I agree 100%, play more tournament golf, a LOT more. When I first started playing competition golf i was nervous, it soon wore off. Then I began playing in bigger events and that made me nervous, after a while it wore off. Then I began playing really big events and having 100 people watch you on the first tee made me nervous, eventually I got used to it and the nervousness again wore off.

What I'm saying is, the more times you play in pressure situations the more you become used to it and the less it will bother you. Something that helps some players more quickly become used to playing when "somethings on the line" is to play against better players for a bit of money. Sure you'll lose more than you win to begin, but some people find it a fast track way to build up their "tolerance" to pressure.

[BigAl5150]

can somebody tell me why when I play a normal round of golf I shoot just fine, and when I play in a tournament I resemble someone who has just picked up the game? I see the looks from the other players, and I feel like a jackass. I know that I can play better than I am playing but I cannot for the life of me correct my mistakes. I have one more tournament round left and its a match play event. I need some help or I will be yet again embarassed, and get my ass handed to me again. Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated, do you think its a mental thing?

Yes, playing more will help however if your worried about "the looks from the the other players" then that is more of a mental hang-up than anything else. Why do you play golf? To learn the mastery of the game or to look competent in front of other golfers? You can read this

interview (shameless plug ) to get an idea of what Dr. Gio Valiante discusses between the "ego" golfer and the "mastery" golfer. His book Fearless Golf is really good at giving you a gameplan to move from the ego focus to the mastery focus. If you don't want to read the interview/book just remember this line for each shot; "What is my target?" Its the only thing that matters. Good luck in your tournament!

[HappyGilmore134]

can somebody tell me why when I play a normal round of golf I shoot just fine, and when I play in a tournament I resemble someone who has just picked up the game? I see the looks from the other players, and I feel like a jackass. I know that I can play better than I am playing but I cannot for the life of me correct my mistakes. I have one more tournament round left and its a match play event. I need some help or I will be yet again embarassed, and get my ass handed to me again. Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated, do you think its a mental thing?

Sounds Like U Need 2 relax and dont mark ur card after every hole do it every 3 holes or so, looking at the card can get u worked up think i just need 3 more pars on the front 9 2 go out in 40 or whatever just put it in ur bag i never carry my card anymore! hope that helps!

[golfchief]

Relax, focus on the shot not people around you.

[Rezgolf]

Off topic, is that your avator picture of Apple Tree GC in Washington? I'm going to try and play that course this summer, after graduation in May.

yes it is Apple Tree GC. I am originally from Yakima. Love the course, and I am lucky enough to have a family member who works in the financial side at Apple Tree so I get to play for free when I am in town.

[Rezgolf]

Yes, playing more will help however if your worried about "the looks from the the other players" then that is more of a mental hang-up than anything else. Why do you play golf? To learn the mastery of the game or to look competent in front of other golfers? You can read this

I wont lie it does bother me when I play badly and my opponents just think I am a chump who has more time than skill. I will read the article and also look for the book. thanks.