Looking to join high school golf team

[TourBound3617]

nervous, need help!

I am looking to become a member of my high school golf team. I am not going to be one of the best, and I know that, but I do think (THINK) that it is a fairly small team, and that I could possibly make it. I probably shoot 5 to 10 strokes higher than the rest of the team, because I just started golf about a year ago (shoot about 86-95 I would say). The coach said that his team average is 80-85, which also means there are a few kids that shoot lower. I'm nervous that I will just embarrass myself, playing with these kids, and not having so much experience, but I have the love, work ethic, and skill to get better if I play consistently. What would you do?

[highergr0und]

Go to the tryout and do your best.... I "tried out" for my team as a freshman when I really had no business doing so. I was fairly new to the game and shot a 57 on the 9 holes. Obviously I didn't make it but I had fun.

[nas1021]

just try your hardest. even if you dont make it, you'll gain experience. Practice with your friends for maybe a dollar a hole to prepare your self for the pressure. good luck

[bjackson]

I would strongly encourage you to tryout, no matter how good you think you are. As long as you play within your abilities and try your best, your coach should see that you really care and want to get better. Being a freshman you have plenty of time to improve and if you carry yourself well, that should outshine the number on your scorecard. That said, good luck and just remember - fairways and greens.

[lafayette7]

I was standing in those very shoes some 30 years ago myself son. I was a football player for 3 of my high school years, but due to injury I was unable to play my senior year. So without ever even touching a golf club before, i bought an old set and bag at a garage sale (still have them-Macgregor Tourney's I beleive) and joined the golf team. I had no idea what I was getting into!!!! My team was small, like yours, and I was able to work my way up to the fifth man on my varsity team and scored in a few matches, but let me tell you what, the first time on the tee in the first match may have been the single most terrifying moment in my life. Everyone on that first tee and all WHEW!! I'm only telling you this so you'll know what to expect, and maybe it'll prepare you a bit and give you an idea that you're not alone in being nervous. Every one gets that way early on I think.
The best advice I got at that point in my golfing career was to play golf for myself. Absolutely DO NOT worry about what others think about your game, your swing, your equipment or any other aspect of your golfing experience. Dig into improving your game, concentrate on getting better at every phase of the game. Once you get better and maybe become one of the starting 5 or 6 on JV or varsit, dosen't matter which, then you can add some people to play for....YOUR TEAMMATES............But to start out just play for yourself, learn the game, Don't put pressure on your self, and for God's sake try to have a little fun out there................Good Luck

[doof_dizzler]

I say try out! There's already some good advice posted above. Just think bout trying to play your best and having fun. Don't let the foolishness of anyone else distract or discourage you. I never went to a school with a golf team, but I did play in some Jr. tournaments, and the pressure I felt was unlike anything else I'd ever felt, but only because I worried so much about how I'd play and what the other kids thought of me, my clothes, my clubs, my parents' car..... Just be yourself and give it your best.

Good luck young man,

David

[obsessedgolfer]

Tryout, if you keep practicing you will probably making. Also coaches have been known to embelish a little when talking about there team averages. I remember at the pre tryout meeting he said if you average above a 40 you will not make the varsity team, in actuality our #1 and 2 were the only averages bellow 40 at 39.7 and 39.8 with the rest being 40.1, 41.2, 42.3, 43.3.

[TMC3]

Im in the same shoes. I am a freshman and my caoch was very blunt in saying that you have to be at 40 or lower to make it, but he is also trying to scare the hackers away which is understandable. I have tournament experince so i am not to worried, but trust me on that first tee you will want to puke. If I was you I would try to play in some tournaments and try to play competitive golf. I say this because competitive golf and recerational golf are two way way different things. But all things considered just play YOUR game and try to have fun.

[Zooko23]

My first year of high school shot 36-38-40 didnt make the team! But was allowed to practice with the team just to see what my scoring average would be. Made the team the next three years no problem. Go for it! I would rather of said I tried than wonder what could of been

[Sid Vicious]

[quote name='TMC3' date='19 January 2010 - 08:50 PM' timestamp='1263955843' post='2192262']
Im in the same shoes. I am a freshman and my caoch was very blunt in saying that you have to be at 40 or lower to make it, but he is also trying to scare the hackers away which is understandable. I have tournament experince so i am not to worried, but trust me on that first tee you will want to puke. If I was you I would try to play in some tournaments and try to play competitive golf. I say this because competitive golf and recerational golf are two way way different things. But all things considered just play YOUR game and try to have fun.
[/quote]

Apparently your coach forgot that part of his job is teaching. No high school coach worth a damn would try to scare off anyone that tried to make the team. Work them hard? Of course, but if a kid wants to learn and improve, then it's his job to help.

[TourBound3617]

[quote name='lafayette7' date='19 January 2010 - 05:39 PM' timestamp='1263940757' post='2191689']
I was standing in those very shoes some 30 years ago myself son. I was a football player for 3 of my high school years, but due to injury I was unable to play my senior year. So without ever even touching a golf club before, i bought an old set and bag at a garage sale (still have them-Macgregor Tourney's I beleive) and joined the golf team. I had no idea what I was getting into!!!! My team was small, like yours, and I was able to work my way up to the fifth man on my varsity team and scored in a few matches, but let me tell you what, the first time on the tee in the first match may have been the single most terrifying moment in my life. Everyone on that first tee and all WHEW!! I'm only telling you this so you'll know what to expect, and maybe it'll prepare you a bit and give you an idea that you're not alone in being nervous. Every one gets that way early on I think.
The best advice I got at that point in my golfing career was to play golf for myself. Absolutely DO NOT worry about what others think about your game, your swing, your equipment or any other aspect of your golfing experience. Dig into improving your game, concentrate on getting better at every phase of the game. Once you get better and maybe become one of the starting 5 or 6 on JV or varsit, dosen't matter which, then you can add some people to play for....YOUR TEAMMATES............But to start out just play for yourself, learn the game, Don't put pressure on your self, and for God's sake try to have a little fun out there................Good Luck
[/quote]

same thing happened to me. I played basketball, hurt my knee. so now i play golf

[ChxDigLongBall]

Try out kid. Even if you don't make it, it'll be a good experience and should help encourage you to practice harder and try to make it again next year. Something tells me you'll be OK if you can shoot those kind of scores though, depending on just how small the team is. Go out and have fun, that's what the game is all about.

[MmmBaker]

Are you kidding me?? You definitely should try out. I understand that you may be nervous or less confident when comparing your new skills and scores to your more experienced classmates, but just try your best. You said you have good work ethic, so just stick to it. Play within your game, be familiar with all the rules, play and score honestly, and show good golf etiquette and sportsmanship....and have a good time!

[bengtson14]

I just graduated last year so I've been through this whole process fairly recently. I started out almost exactly as you are about too.(even the scores are similar). I was extremely nervous about starting out but even just practicing with the team gives you alot of experience. Long story short..I stuck with it and ended up graduating with a 1st team all-conference award. Stick with it buddy!! Confidence is a huge aspect in golf and you need to be in that competitive atmosphere to make yourself better.