Playing in my first tournament!

really just work on your putting inside ten feet alot, and short game.

good luck,

Mental game, Like you said your going to be nervous. Perhaps play poorly because of nervousness which is natural especially in golf. I would say no matter what stay positive and shrug bad hits off if they occur.

Good luck and have fun.

Besides practicing your short game and putting, I would try to remember that everybody gets nervous, and that being nervous does not mean you can't hit a good shot or make that putt!

[quote name='chris55watt' date='23 May 2010 - 07:05 PM' timestamp='1274663121' post='2462552'] im playing in my first golf tournament this june. its the local golf club championship, and i was wondering what to expect. Ive been practicing almost every day to get ready, I know there are going to be very good players there, but i know i can compete with them. i play to a 5 handicap (shot 4 over yesterday, and it was surely not my best day). im going to be nervous, and stuff. but im just wondering what to expect and things i should work on before the tournament.. thanks chris [/quote] One of the courses I frequent a 5 index gets 6 strokes; that's a positive. Nerves are normal so are impulses, but both have to be controlled .. how much effort that takes varies per person. Best way to approach the upcoming tournament is think of it as a learning experience, and a place to show yourself what you have; and forget about everybody else. Make sure you have a course management plan, and only deviate when it's required for you to be dynamic.

Practice all aspects of your game before, but don't get wacky about it. Play within yourself and don't put unreasonable game pressure on yourself. Control what you can, ignore what you can't, maintain your routines and stay in the moment. When I play in a tournament I don't social much, and talk even less. I am all about maintaining clarity of purpose and being calm, and walk every chance I get; but that me. What makes you calm might be different. Know what that is and play your best. Luck!

Don't try to determine what you're going to do on every shot based on what your competitor does. Play within yourself and do what you need to do to hit the shots that are most comfortable for you. Remember, you're not playing against that person, you're playing against the course.

I would focus on putting. Especially 2-5 foot putts. When you get a little nervous on those first few holes, the cup gets really small when you have a 3 foot come-backer to save par or bogie.

Tourney golf is completely different, be ready for the unexpected. Somehting like you thin a shot over the green and end up with a funky lie, or go for a par 5 in 2 and half shank a 3 wood next to a tree or plugged under a lip. I have just found that I end up in some places that I never imagined, or ingored playing any other time, especially on a course you play a lot and find your self a place you never knew existed.

Don't mess up!

After the 1st 2-3 holes, the jitters will leave. Just remember you can play with these guys, and don't quit, no matter how bad it gets.

Jitters of course, but there will be a time when you feel challenged or even wonder what's going on since you know you can play better. When things start getting shaky, try to slow everything down. I don't mean to play slow, I mean to ensure your rhythm hasn't increased and your jerking the club back. Try to stay within yourself. Also never pick up your ball unless you are absolutely sure what your doing. The best way to incur a penalty is touch the ball.

I try to have fun. Cheer your partner on if he hits a great shot. If the guy I'm paired with plays well, I usually find myself playing well to match him. Remember, you're playing the field - not just one guy.
If you keep the fun into, the nerves go away.

Im only 17 but when i played in high school districts i just walked up hit a club i knew for sure would pipe the fairway and watch my playing partners let the nerves get the best of them

Conservative off the tee, aggressive on the greens. Hit fairways, relax.

My first ever tourney was a County Am. I was really nervous on the first tee, striped my 3W down the fairway and had a wedge in. On my wedge shot, my legs were literally shaking. I chunked my wedge, chipped it long and 2 putted for a bogie. For the whole front nine, I didn't make ONE full swing. I was afraid of messing up.

You know you can play, just play. At the end of the day, this is your hobby ( I assume) and you're not playing for a living. Just enjoy it. If you make a bad shot, just move on...EVERYONE makes bad shots. Be aggressive when you have the opportunity and take your medicine if you're in trouble. Don't take ANY strokes for granted, especially those little gimmie 2 footers.

Just imagine, you'll most likely play in more tourneys, so this is valuable experience.

The advise about rythym and tempo, listen. If you find yourself going downhill, check that first!!

i think ill play fine, but i dont know any tournament golf rules, or anything like that. so im just worried ill make a penalty and get a stroke off, or something

[quote]but i dont know any tournament golf rules, or anything like that. so im just worried ill make a penalty and get a stroke off, or something
[/quote]

USGA rules are tournament rules...nothing new added...you just have to play by them...unlike what happens someimtes when folks play with friends.

[quote name='generaljhc' date='29 May 2010 - 06:50 AM' timestamp='1275144643' post='2474698']
[quote]but i dont know any tournament golf rules, or anything like that. so im just worried ill make a penalty and get a stroke off, or something
[/quote]

USGA rules are tournament rules...nothing new added...you just have to play by them...unlike what happens someimtes when folks play with friends.
[/quote]
thats the thing i dont know any usga rules

The first tee shot is gnarly. I hit a nasty snap hook usually. The key like the others said is conservative off the tee and go at the middle of the greens not the flag. And putting putting putting. As far as the rules just ask the guys you play with most likely theyll know. Better to ask then to have a 2 stroke penalty

Focus on playing the course, and not the people in your group, unless it is match play.
You will be surprised how more relaxed you will be.

Good Luck

Study up on the rules as best you can. If you run into a situation that you're not sure of, ask someone for help.

Play mindless golf. Focus on the shot you are hitting. I don't care if you just hooked one across the next fairway and you're hitting out of someones yard, stay with the shot.

Don't rush. Go through your routine on EVERY shot. a 300 yard drive and a 3 foot putt each demand the same amount of focus.

Have fun. Accept the fact that you are not going to hit every shot how you wanted to. Laugh it off and get your mind geared toward the next shot as soon as it stops rolling.

Play your game. Don't hit driver on a hole you'd usually hit a 3 wood on because the guy you're playing with is. Stick to what you know will put you in the best spot possible for your next shot.

Above all, remember its just a game and be yourself, stay relaxed and have some fun.

just think to yourself, "Hey, im playing golf, ive done this before" i started with that mentality last year in tournaments. I was trying much too hard to hit the "perfect" shot. i just changed the mindset to playing golf and it just became automatic. you arent suddenly going to forget how to swing or putt.