are Golf Tournaments the ultimate game improvement tool??

[TheSunCup]

There is no better way to test your game then in competition , wether it is a money game with your buddies, an organized tournament or even a bet for who has to wear a skirt the next round, competition induces pressure and tests both your strengths and weaknesses!

I remember the first time I played in a tournament, i felt like I couldnt feel my hands the first tee shot,  needless to say i sliced one into the water, but the next time i played with my buddies I worked them all!!!

[RPMPIRE]

Tournaments brought the best out of my game. The first tournament I played in was a handicap flighted tourney. Never broke 90 until I played my first tournament round - shot back-to-back 87s on both Saturday and Sunday rounds. Ended up winning my flight.

I played a different tournament the follwing year (also handicap flighted - this time never broken 80). First round sucked shooting an 89. Second round, relaxed a little and ended up shooting a 79 - first time breaking 80. Only tourney I haven't played well is match play tournaments, which I think are the most fun.

Regardless of the skill level, a lot of people get butterflies before their first tee shot. Usually, once you get passed that, everything just starts flowing.

[TheSunCup]

It seems like alot of players actually play better once they are in tournaments.  I think for some they are just much more focused in knowing that they cant just drop a ball in the fairway!   That is why tournaments are the best!  That is killer that you shot your best round in a tournament!  What is everyones best tournament score compared to what they normally shoot.  Mine is a 63 compared to my normal 75ish.  I can say I was in the zone!! Never had anything like that again.

[Chief Broom]

I totally agree.  Tournament golf is completely different.  Even if you always play the ball down and putt everything out playing in a tournament adds a new dimension to the game.  In my limited experience playing in club tournaments I find that my performance is indeed better.  My low round at my club was in such a tournament and in the last one I played in while my score wasn't the best, it was stableford and I wound up +1 on points, I did make 3 birdies in a style I usually don't see in my game.  IMO the game was designed to be played with something on the line.

[jhwmusic]

Absolutely! It's amazing how much better you get and handle the pressures. When I first took my PAT I almost messed myself because I was so nervous....I hadn't played any tourney golf lately so I wasn't used to those jitters. And I knew had the game to pass...but I didn't the first time. I got too wrapped up in the event and the outcome rather than the process of executing the shots. I learned a lot and passed with ease the next time. And then played the best golf of my life in the weeks afterwards. The experience makes playing with your buddies so simple.

[lls1998]

One thing for sure is that we will see the players play up to their Handicap.

For myself is I like the competition and the Stress where when you play a round with friens you just dont get that.

Plus I think I get the best out of myself.

[BunkerShot]

Totally agree with all posts here. I thought my game was pretty solid as long as I was playing with by good buds on our favorite munie. But my first tourny in front of strangers an a mini gallery. Not gonna tell you how I did, but lets just say I ate a large slice of humble pie that day. with a whip cream topping

[Canuck]

playing in competition is definitely the way to show you where your game is. Its one thing to go out with the boys and shoot the lights out, when you can have a gimme that is 3 feet or so. Compared to having to play under pressure and test yourself. I find the best way to play competition golf is to forget about the other golfers and push yourself. try and play to the best of your abilities and always push yourself to improve. If you focus too much on whats going on around you it will take away from what you are able to do. Just my .02$ and what helps me when I am playing golf.

[RichWW2]

I've been looking for some local tourneys to play in.  Played golf in high school and loved the competition.  Since I'm actually a little better now, it might be even more of a good time.  I usually shoot in the mid-80's, so I probably wouldn't be winning anything, but it's still fun to get out and play with something on the line.

[jhwmusic]

I've been looking for some local tourneys to play in.  Played golf in high school and loved the competition.  Since I'm actually a little better now, it might be even more of a good time.  I usually shoot in the mid-80's, so I probably wouldn't be winning anything, but it's still fun to get out and play with something on the line.

Check out the Golfweek Amateur Tour...formerly EA Golf Tour. They have sections all over the US...weekly events on the weekends...and then there is a national championship at the end of the year in Hilton Head. You qualify based on points that you earn...don't have to play every week. And its all flghted so you will play against people of the same ability. Its way better than the Golf Channel tour... Golf Channel actually tried to buy them out but they denied the offer. golf week sponsored it to make it bigger but didn't take control. www.amateurgolftour.com

[soloredd]

Originally Posted by jhwmusic

Check out the Golfweek Amateur Tour...formerly EA Golf Tour. They have sections all over the US...weekly events on the weekends...and then there is a national championship at the end of the year in Hilton Head. You qualify based on points that you earn...don't have to play every week. And its all flghted so you will play against people of the same ability. Its way better than the Golf Channel tour... Golf Channel actually tried to buy them out but they denied the offer. golf week sponsored it to make it bigger but didn't take control. www.amateurgolftour.com

They don't have anything for California, kind of a bummer. I'm thinking of joining the Golf Channel Tour next year and trying that. Was going to do it this year but some stuff came up. It looks fun but I've heard kind of mixed things about it (mainly cost).

Also, the NCGA (Northern California Golf Association) has regular course clubs but also has e-clubs, for those who don't belong to a particular course. I joined a e-club 3 years ago, its been great. You can still enter the tourneys and there are club sponsored tourneys as well.

[jhwmusic]

They don't have anything for California, kind of a bummer. I'm thinking of joining the Golf Channel Tour next year and trying that. Was going to do it this year but some stuff came up. It looks fun but I've heard kind of mixed things about it (mainly cost).

Also, the NCGA (Northern California Golf Association) has regular course clubs but also has e-clubs, for those who don't belong to a particular course. I joined a e-club 3 years ago, its been great. You can still enter the tourneys and there are club sponsored tourneys as well.

Really? I know they are planning on eventually getting out west. Its matter of finding people to run these tours...it has grown so fast they can't even keep up. And the greatest part of the Golfweek Tour is that you pay a onetime fee and you are member for life...you just pay green/fees fees, skins etc. with each event you decide to play in. Which is why the founder didn't want to sell to Golf Channel when they approached him. He knew they would jack up prices and change everything he worked so hard to create. Which was a tour for the average joe, not a big corporate money maker. Although he's doing alright now! I know he turned down a large sum of money from Golf Channel and others to keep his template in place. He is a great guy! I have heard good things about those e-clubs!

[zipazoid]

In my highly-simplified, yet proven (by my experience) method of learning golf, playing tournaments are an absolute must if you want to be good. To recap, here's my four-step approach to learning the game:

If you want to break 100, learn how to putt

If you want to break 90, learn how to chip/pitch/short game

If you want to break 80, learn course management

If you want to break 70, play tournaments

Nothing makes your swing more bulletproof than playing with something on the line.

[soloredd]

Originally Posted by jhwmusic

Really? I know they are planning on eventually getting out west. Its matter of finding people to run these tours...it has grown so fast they can't even keep up. And the greatest part of the Golfweek Tour is that you pay a onetime fee and you are member for life...you just pay green/fees fees, skins etc. with each event you decide to play in. Which is why the founder didn't want to sell to Golf Channel when they approached him. He knew they would jack up prices and change everything he worked so hard to create. Which was a tour for the average joe, not a big corporate money maker. Although he's doing alright now! I know he turned down a large sum of money from Golf Channel and others to keep his template in place. He is a great guy!

I have heard good things about those e-clubs!

Well, I truly hope they get out here eventually. Would be nice to have some options (you are right, the GC Tour is expensive as hell - the entry fees alone that I've seen are $100+). I like the sound of onetime fee and then pay greens fees.

[Blades4me]

Originally Posted by TheSunCup

There is no better way to test your game then in competition , wether it is a money game with your buddies, an organized tournament or even a bet for who has to wear a skirt the next round, competition induces pressure and tests both your strengths and weaknesses!

I remember the first time I played in a tournament, i felt like I couldnt feel my hands the first tee shot,  needless to say i sliced one into the water, but the next time i played with my buddies I worked them all!!!

I agree. I learned this lesson back when I used to ski race; we found that one season of racing was pretty much equivalent to 2 or 3 seasons of regular skiing.