Tournament Golf vs. Match Play Golf

[JimmyBGolf]

How do you control yourself in both?

I am having a bit of trouble playing tournaments right now. I am 17 years old a solid 5.3 handicap but I have one major issue. I often shoot around 76-80 on pretty much any course. When I go match play, I often shoot between 38-43 (10 hole matches). BUT when I enter a tournament I, for some reason, am unable to shoot a decent score in a tournament. So far I shoot low 80's consistently in tournaments, (previous scores 81, 83, 83, 82, etc.) but I cant seem to break that 80 barrier. I have a feeling its my mental game but I wonder how it could be pressure related, considering I play #2 on a golf team I often am under severe pressure situations to win.

So long story short, does anyone have any suggestions to possibly what I am doing. I'd love to isolate one part of my game but I am a very consistent player, so often my game goes up and down together rather then putting good driver bad.

Anything is appreciated.

[tofur99]

Not too sure what's going through your head when your playing, or anything like that but from what you've written, I'd have to say...

Just stop thinking. Sounds simple, but I play to my current potential a lot more when I am totally 100 percent focused on putting the ball as close to the hole/ in the hole, middle of the fairway, etc as physically possible. It's a lot more fun too.

As soon as I start thinking about what I should be doing, what will or has to happen later in the round or what has happened, or my score, I'm sunk.

Also, what is the difference between school golf matches, match play, and tournaments? Or just a normal round with your buddies? It's all what you make it, I can't find any tangible difference, golf is golf, your hitting the same shots regardless of the setting, right? So the only differences are what you create mentally.

So you probably have a mental block around "tournaments", which is why you don't play as well in them versus school matches or whatever. You have the same physical capabilities right?

[bluetickkid33]

i am having the same problem as you. During practice i shoot like a 41 on 9 and in match i will shoot 46

[Golfer1659]

I played tournament golf all my life, AJGA, IJGT, Jr Met, National Amateur tournaments.......and some others plus also played in college in Division 1.

Your scores will always be a few strokes higher in tournaments. Its a given, coming into college you will shoot a solid 2-3 strokes higher than average. Honestly you need to get your handicap down if you are trying to be successful in golf, especially in college. Just my 2 cents.

[Hookem Horns]

What you need to think in Match play is play your opponent. Do things to intimidate your opponent. If you stripe a drive, , mutter to yourself " ahh i hit that off the toe a bit." When you play tournament golf, you can be less aggressive. Go for the middle of every green. You'd be surprised at your score. Play the course in tournament golf. Play your opponent in match play.

[ttaylor0024]

Just think of every shot as a challenge. Step up to each challenge. In a qualifier round this year, my tee shot on a par 3 I hit extremely bad and landed in 15" rough. Yes I got mad, but it already happened and cant change it. I just thought, gotta get out of it now, what should I do. Took a minute or so to think, chose to go for it. Went up and hit a SW out and landed the ball a foot away from the hole that is 30 yards away. Putted in for par.

Just got to let all the bad stuff go, dont think about what anyone else is doing and play YOUR game and you are fine. One thing that got me into trouble this year is the fact that everyone I played with was playing a slice, and that made me want to play a slice. When I did, bad things happen (I hook). Also, when people would play a driver on a 250 yard par 4 I would use a 3i. On the 1st tee box with around 30 people watching, a guy I was playing with hit a nice shot (played a slice) and hit it about 10 yards off the green. I step up with a 3i and everyone was giving me looks. I learned not to 2nd guess myself and go with my gut. I was 5 feet off the green and was inches from eagle.

[Dei3Nascar8]

Not going to help much other than finding a way to clear your mind and only think of the positive of the shot. Don't be afraid to back of the shot once even twice if it just does not feel right. Make sure you go through your routine on every shot. Other than that make sure when you are practicing if your not alone that you play for something. Make it a coke at the turn or something off the dollar menu after the round so that every putt counts. It makes the 3 footers much more comfortable come crunch time when you have run in a few in practice. One deep breath, slowly release and make the shot whatever it may be. Good luck to you.