[mr.videomen]

So I'm playing in my first serious golf tournament on Sunday and I'm kind I nervous. Any tips on what to do to stay calm and play well?


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[ådrrraj]

So I'm playing in my first serious golf tournament on Sunday and I'm kind I nervous. Any tips on what to do to stay calm and play well?


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Trust in yourself, and enjoy yourself

Play conservatively, you'd rather be 200 in than 300 in the forest. Play your natural shot and don't try to change anything.

Go early and practice on the putt to get the relative course slope and check out the rough conditions. If you ask around some people may tell you the relative slopes. Remember if you can't make it home I'm two on par 5s don't try, you'll regret it.

On errant tee shots you can punch it out or use your hybrid in deep rough, make sure to open the face, I've made par on holes that I hit bad tee shots by using my hybrid to save it. If you aren't sure wether you should putt or chip putt, and if you need more distance on long chips use a 9 or 8 iron to bump and run

My first tourney I scored an 80 using these steps, sure I didn't win but I got 3rd haha

[RIjdrVs3]

I wouldn't try mind games with your opponents, go out there and have fun. Encourage your playing partners and make the round fun. Good play feeds off each other. It will also reduce the pressure.

Take your time on short putts, not too much. But don't try and tap those 3 footers while trying not to avoid someone else line. mark your ball and go thru your routine.

[ViktorialHDY]

Serious tournaments are definitely a learning process. Don't go out there expecting to shoot lights out, just play your game and don't worry about anything else. Oh, and one last thing, don't lose your scorecard, that was my first mistake.

[DghtRdc]

​S.F.T

[xsVfF9Em]

have fun and enjoy the fact that you didn't have to call for a tee time!!

[Kamepherype]

I'd heavily depend on a preshot routine, especially in those first couple of holes, and especially on the 1st tee. You're going to be nervous, especially over your first tee shot, so do everything you can to create a moment of intense focus and concentration when it's your turn. Other than that, have a great time and play your golf game. Don't worry about others.

[electmobile]

****PLEASE NOTE**** Hole 1, Tee Box 1 is NOT THE LOCATION OF THE LONG DRIVE COMPETITION!!

Smooth is your friend. Hole 3 or 4 you'll start feeling more like you're playing with some new buddies.

[suiviouse]

Just chill out and try not to care as much as you think is necessary. Golf is the same no matter what the stakes are. So play it as such.

[TheDoctor]

Smooth is your friend. Hole 3 or 4 you'll start feeling more like you're playing with some new buddies.

Also, best advice I can give is to "stay in the moment". Take one shot at a time. Don't think about the bad drive on the previous hole, the tough par 3 coming up, the amazing 25ft putt you just made for birdie, etc. Leave your bad shots and leave your good shots, too. Don't take them to the next hole with you. Ultimately, have fun! Please post and let us know how everything went, too!

[Arrocousa]

I've never played in any serious tournaments but if I did, I would use the force.

[psbiuigw]

Have a great time!

[FelixQY]

One thing that's always hard to do is to not care how the people you're playing with are doing. I get in the moment and may watch their ball for a second but then forget about and think about what I have to do. I'm not saying dont be social but play to your game and don't let someone else's game effect what you may or may not do. Have fun and good luck.

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[gWhya5ct]

Just enjoy it. Focus on the game and not the outcome. If it is stroke play don't get wrapped up in what your playing partners are doing just focus on the course one shot at a time.

[Susanleech]

Somebody once explained his calm during tourneys to me as "4 billion people in China don't care if I make this or not".
That's not much help, admittedly. A certain tension isn't a bad thing, usually...I find I focus better.

One thing you can do to reduce grief on the course is make sure you read and have clarified any local rules in play. Preferred lies, ground under repair, laterals, power lines/poles, nursery trees...nothing drags me down like not knowing exactly what my options are at any given time.

[Varbaiskkic]

I recommend lots of drinking and swearing.

[Lkemybab]

Definitely play the course..... not your opponents. When you "keep your head down" you hit the ball better. The same goes for the competition. Focus on one shot at a time. I also know my 75-125 yd. range is my sweet area. I try to play to that area even if it means playing a 3 wood.

[PapsEdisa]

Trust in yourself, and enjoy yourself

Play conservatively, you'd rather be 200 in than 300 in the forest. Play your natural shot and don't try to change anything.

Go early and practice on the putt to get the relative course slope and check out the rough conditions. If you ask around some people may tell you the relative slopes. Remember if you can't make it home I'm two on par 5s don't try, you'll regret it.

On errant tee shots you can punch it out or use your hybrid in deep rough, make sure to open the face, I've made par on holes that I hit bad tee shots by using my hybrid to save it. If you aren't sure wether you should putt or chip putt, and if you need more distance on long chips use a 9 or 8 iron to bump and run

My first tourney I scored an 80 using these steps, sure I didn't win but I got 3rd haha

I second this.

I recommend lots of drinking and swearing.

This is how I normally handle tournaments.

Most of the tips I would have given have already been posted. But I would agree with a few specifically. Focus on one shot at a time. Play conservative. Relax, and enjoy your time with your playing competitors. It's ok to have fun with them and congratulate them on good shots, because I bet that's what you do during most of your non-competitive rounds. And finally, slow down and take your time. If you're like me, when you get into a competition with fast players, you tend to speed up to the point of no aiming, no practice strokes or even strokes to just loosen up. Don't play so fast that you just walk up to the ball and hit it and hope for the best.

Good luck!

~Rock

[PharmACT]

Remember that EVERYONE you're playing against is going to be battling the same nerves you are at one point or another (some just fake it better than others). Whether or not you strike the ball better than everyone else, commit to being mentally stronger than everyone else. Acknowledge and accept that you're going to be nervous and, therefore, probably won't play mistake free golf. As was mentioned, play a little conservative to avoid mistakes and, when you make one, focus on minimizing the damage by making the next shot a good one rather than getting down on yourself about one that's in the past.

[ådrrraj]

Yeah i remember my first serious tournament, it was pretty scary, but after a while like I said earlier, I took my time and it turned out great. Golf is about fun first and then seriousness, if you love every moment of it you won't regret it and I might have said this earlier but

See your shot, feel it and trust it. Don't focus too much on the practice swing-save the goods for the real swings! And don't be afraid to be creative

uriel