First Tourney - Confused

[bmartin461]

I entered a city tournament, and it will be my first.  It's a two day tourney, played on two courses on the same property.  They gave me a course HC (based on a slope of 126) that is used for both courses even though the ratings are different.

I'm a 14.8 currently, the course HC I received is a 17.

From what I can tell, this helps me as the HC is based on the higher sloped course, the second course has a slope of 121, so I get one extra stroke I believe.

Since it's a course I play a lot, I've mapped out the holes that tend to give me trouble and I will develop a safe plan of play for those holes.

Any advise you would give me otherwise?

Thanks,

Brad

[Big C]

Brad, first and foremost, good luck! Tournament golf is a blast and you will learn a lot about your game (and yourself) from the experience. 

As for the handicapping, I'm guessing that everyone is being calculated from the same 126 slope. So while it technically helps you, it helps your competitors all the same. 

No advice here. You know the course, and you know your game - just go out there and kick some butt. Oh, and remember to post the results in the TST Member's tournament play thread when all is said and done! 

 

[bmartin461]

13 minutes ago, Big C said:

 

As for the handicapping, I'm guessing that everyone is being calculated from the same 126 slope. So while it technically helps you, it helps your competitors all the same. 

 

Thanks for the response, yes, I realize everyone will be in the same boat regarding the HC calculation.  I do expect to learn a lot from this experience and I hope I can just make good contact on the first tee.  

[Big C]

1 minute ago, bmartin461 said:

 I hope I can just make good contact on the first tee.  

Lol, I hear ya. Whether you do or don't, just remember that there is a LOT of golf left to be played.

In my limited experience with 2 day events (especially among mid-to-high handicappers), I've noticed that the scores always seem to be higher than you would expect. At that level of golf, almost everyone goes through a horrific stretch at some point during the 36 holes. The guys that stay engaged and don't check out mentally usually find a way to place. 

 

[Golfingdad]

1 hour ago, bmartin461 said:

I entered a city tournament, and it will be my first.  It's a two day tourney, played on two courses on the same property.  They gave me a course HC (based on a slope of 126) that is used for both courses even though the ratings are different.

I'm a 14.8 currently, the course HC I received is a 17.

From what I can tell, this helps me as the HC is based on the higher sloped course, the second course has a slope of 121, so I get one extra stroke I believe.

Since it's a course I play a lot, I've mapped out the holes that tend to give me trouble and I will develop a safe plan of play for those holes.

Any advise you would give me otherwise?

Thanks,

Brad

The most important thing - seriously, it's the last thing mentioned in the tournament prep section of LSW - is to just relax and have fun.  It's just golf. 

And I stress that, because I've now played in several tournaments and it's really hard (especially at first) to not get bogged down with nerves and stress.  You have to remind yourself that it's for fun.

Good luck!!!

[Grinde6]

Good Luck!!!

I would say don't get wrapped up in the tournament hype.  Especially since you have played a lot just treat it like any other round of golf with your buddies and you will do fine!  Once you start score watching or trying to chase a competitor you get wrapped up too much in the moment and forget to just play like you know how to play!

[bmartin461]

Thanks for the replies.  I'll post more once it's over, good or bad.

 

[kpaulhus]

It will be hard to do at first, but remember its just for fun. If you blow up, who cares. My first ever club championship I was playing with guys I had played 100 round a year with. I still duck hooked two balls OB. Took an 9 on a Par 4. Ended up playing well the rest of the weekend and placed in my flight. 

[DrvFrShow]

First tournament? Playing when it matters is different. So my recommendation is to just relax and have fun. If you think there is no chance of you reaching a hole in two shots, play a club you're confident hitting. Don't be afraid to take a little extra time making a club selection, lining up a shot, or lining up a putt. Play a relaxed pace. Don't feel you have to rush. Tournaments are different than normal play. Figure a 4.5 to 5 hr round.

[Lihu]

5 hours ago, bmartin461 said:

I entered a city tournament, and it will be my first.  It's a two day tourney, played on two courses on the same property.  They gave me a course HC (based on a slope of 126) that is used for both courses even though the ratings are different.

I'm a 14.8 currently, the course HC I received is a 17.

From what I can tell, this helps me as the HC is based on the higher sloped course, the second course has a slope of 121, so I get one extra stroke I believe.

Since it's a course I play a lot, I've mapped out the holes that tend to give me trouble and I will develop a safe plan of play for those holes.

Any advise you would give me otherwise?

Thanks,

Brad

 

1 hour ago, bmartin461 said:

Thanks for the replies.  I'll post more once it's over, good or bad.

 

Good luck in The Pasadena City. It'll be really cool. Drive them well!

[bmartin461]

22 minutes ago, DrvFrShow said:

First tournament? Playing when it matters is different. So my recommendation is to just relax and have fun. If you think there is no chance of you reaching a hole in two shots, play a club you're confident hitting. Don't be afraid to take a little extra time making a club selection, lining up a shot, or lining up a putt. Play a relaxed pace. Don't feel you have to rush. Tournaments are different than normal play. Figure a 4.5 to 5 hr round.

Thanks, this is good advice.  

 

18 minutes ago, Lihu said:

 

Good luck in The Pasadena City. It'll be really cool. Drive them well!

I'll try, no promises.  

[Jakester23]

Ive haven't played in a golf tournament so I can't speak specifically to that.  I did enter a lot of sporting clays competitions (which a lot of people consider a shooting version of golf).  Something that I figured out after a lot of tourneys was to have a very positive attitude going into the competition no matter where your game is.  On my way to the shoots I would recall all the positive thing I could to put me in a good somewhat relaxed mood.  Competition is fun I hope you do well and enjoy yourself.  Oh and incase no one told you the queasy butterfly somewhat sick but excited feeling  in you stomach is completely normal and a good thing.  Good Luck.

[bkuehn1952]

If you are not comfortable with the Rules of Golf, take a little time to refresh yourself on OB, water and lateral water hazards, hitting provisionals, taking relief from GUR and Obstructions, etc...  No one is going to know all the Rules, just be comfortable with how to do some of the more common procedures and maybe take along a copy of the Rules.  When in doubt ask your fellow competitors.  They are not experts but it helps to discuss things and come to a consensus.

[bmartin461]

48 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

If you are not comfortable with the Rules of Golf, take a little time to refresh yourself on OB, water and lateral water hazards, hitting provisionals, taking relief from GUR and Obstructions, etc...  No one is going to know all the Rules, just be comfortable with how to do some of the more common procedures and maybe take along a copy of the Rules.  When in doubt ask your fellow competitors.  They are not experts but it helps to discuss things and come to a consensus.

Good advice, thanks. From what I understand there will be "officials" on the course to help.  I have a pretty good understanding of the rules so that should help.

[Fairway_CY]

I prefer playing in tournaments to any other type of round.  I feel like it keeps me focused.  I'd say that's my best tip.  Stay focused.  You're likely to hit a bad shot here and there... just learn to shrug it off.  

Beyond that... do whatever you can to avoid the big number.  If you've mapped the courses, you know where the trouble is.  If it means playing for a bogey... stay away from that trouble.

Admittedly, I'm very bad at 'reeling it in' when I'm playing.  I like to be aggressive... but it's not the smart play.  The rounds that I find myself hitting a 5 iron and leaving myself a 40 yard pitch instead of hitting my hybrid and hoping I catch all of it are the rounds that I find myself in contention.

Most of all... as others have said, have fun!  Good luck!

CY

[David in FL]

Good on ya!  

[Rainmaker]

Good luck!  I don't have any great advice as I'm only starting to have an inkling that I might want to enter a local tournament someday.  Play it one shot at a time!  Remember you're trying to make the lowest score . .I know that sounds obvious but, at least for me, that would be a different strategy than my casual rounds. 

[bmartin461]

Thanks for the replies so far, good stuff.

One other concern I have is they changed the course HC calc at the last minute (post last revision).  Instead of basing it on the low index of the year they decided to take current index.   Since my index is also my low, it didn't impact me, but for others were who lower and are now a bit higher would seem to have a slight advantage with this change.

Thoughts?