How have you guys fared playing tournament golf? How do you prep for it? What do you do that differs from your casual round? I will share some of mine but the one thing I can never get over the is the first tee gitters.

Just remember that unless it’s match play. Everyone else is so worried about their own game, they’re barely even thinking about you.

Kind of a humble brag here...but just recollecting on some of my more memorable wins and/or times I played my best and there was a recocurring theme: I won state in High School, won 2 College tournaments (along with a school record in one of them), and a really big 2 man best ball event that has tons of d1 college players. All 4 of those events had something in common: The week leading up to the tourney, I spent an enormous amount of time on the short game. We had a short range at our course, and I hit 50-75 yard pitches until I couldn't anymore....followed by chipping around the green from all sorts of lies, different clubs, different trajectories. And then putting from 8 feet and in. When I happened to hit an errant tee shot and needed to punch out...or missed a green. I got up an down every single time. I hit a lot of wedge shots close and made a lot of birdies in those events. First tee jitters will always be there...but they go away when you start making birdies. 😅

Haven't competed in about a decade. Remembering my university tryouts, dry mouth, shaky hands, block two OB, nice 5 off the tee to get your inner competitiveness going. If i ever wanted to compete nowadays, take a small CBD oil dose and you will feel zero nerves lol. Helps with that first tee jitter.

Don’t let dphatt fool you, I’ve played in mid-am events with him and he pipes the first tee ball every damn time. I have a 3/4 bunt cut swing I use off the tee when the stakes are real. It’s low, it always cuts, doesn’t look sexy, but it’s a fairway winder every time. Another thing I’ve noticed is I hit the best approach shots when I’m down in a match. Just that extra level of determination to really focus on hit my landing spot, especially with my irons is what I enjoy the most. Again that’s a small pull fade that has extra spin on it to control my landing spot into greens. I apply that to every par 3 I play, which is the strength of my game.

Eddie stop telling people I am good. I need to be able to sandbag some people every once in a while

Eddie Another thing I’ve noticed is I hit the best approach shots when I’m down in a match. In the wise words of Big Randy from no laying up... "Bad news is...Tron's not really comfortable until he's down $200". lolol (3:25)

For people who have first tee jitters, I got a recommendation for you. Start an iG live video and hit balls in front of your IG friends, talk about stressful LOL. It was fun though, we will do it again soon.

I look forward to piping one down over the right corner at BPB every time I tee it up there. First tee jitters isn't my issue, it is the chipping yips I have had for some time. I'll shake it for a while, and then the thought creeps into my head and I proceed to blade it from one side of the green to the other. Then the next one I'll stick the club into the ground behind the ball and watch it pop up a few inches and advance a foot ahead of me and settle deep into the rough.

First round where having to keep score was necessary outside of match games. Wasn't nervous, but the one aspect I felt off was over shots that weren't perfectly even lies, having been a range rat for so long, forgot how to hit shots with the ball below my feet, I pulled every damn shot.

Tournament Golf Experiences

Benzo

I’ve played a lot of tournament rounds...well over 50 at this point...for me the nerves never ever go away. The only thing that gets better is controlling the nerves and playing through it and it’s just experience.

i try to focus on my breathing and my pace of doing things (walking, reading putts, pre shot routine).

OffTheDole

maxbianchi That's great advice. Thanks!

conorgolf22

Gulp

dphatt

conorgolf22 foursomes? That sucks

ckay

dphatt what is it usually? I might jump back into the saddle next season. I used to play in the Met but that was years ago in peak golf form. This thread is motivating me to check out NYSGA as I think I have a much better chance for some made cuts.

conorgolf22

dphatt agreed. Field of 118. I guess the upside is that I won’t be rushed while walking and can just stay in my own world

dphatt

ckay threesomes. I have never played in an event that had foursomes

conorgolf22

Hopefully Mother Nature takes pity on us tomorrow

gfranktw7

conorgolf22 where is this again? I mean I know where you are obviously but as long as this isn't outrageously south, you shouldn't deal with more than an early morning very light rain and clouds the rest of the time. Should be fine. Another reason these apps suck.

conorgolf22

gfranktw7 in the St Louis area. Now they’re totally taken the rain out for tomorrow. Hope that forecast holds.

118 for 41 spots. I’ve got the second last tee time

gfranktw7

conorgolf22 yeah you're good. I wouldn't worry too much about rain honestly. I think it may sprinkle or drizzle on you early but you're not dealing with much. I'm trying to cut the grass tomorrow haha

conorgolf22

gfranktw7 haha, I got mine done this afternoon

Benzo

Bring extra towels!

dphatt

Hit a few balls on the course today prepping for tmr. The new driver might not be a good play but I have no choice as the old one is gone. Should be interesting. I will post the link for the scores tmr so you guys can watch the debacle lol

DaHOF

dphatt good luck my man!

OffTheDole

dphatt Good luck and let's see that link!

MarkF

Good luck Don!

dphatt

No live scoring but here is the link

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/7077195059908610980

Missed a 5ft birdie on 1
Tripled 2
Par on 3-4

maxbianchi

dphatt get it going don!

OffTheDole

dphatt This is all just a set up for an incredible comeback story.