How do you get ready for a tourny?

[BigVolGolfFan]

For fun or meaningful?

I have four tournaments coming up in the next couple of months and I wondered what yall golf fanatics (myself included) do to get ready for them?

My earliest one is next week and I don't have time to play the course before. I've played there twice, but I can't remember it all. Luckily its for just a good ol'fun day, but I still want to win...

So what do you do if you can't play the course before hand?

do you go online and check the course out and practice to it? Play your own home course?

Just what do you do in general?

Thanks!

[mypalcollin]

I stress out obsessively! Ha

[jfzhorseman]

know what types of shots you will need the most and get comfortable with them, then tighten up your short game

[teeituphigh]

Putt.........Putt..........and more putting

[StugyGolf]

I like to make sure I understand how the greens play, make sure my putting is past as good as it can get. I like to get a layout of the course and plan the shots I would like to execute. Play at least once before hand so I see it in front of me, get used to what the tee shots look like. Nothing too fancy, i could go into a tourney when im not playing well while being fully prepared and shoot better than if i was right on my game but not fully prepared for sure.

 

Being prepared for me takes out a huge variable. I can hack my way around a course I understand fairly easily cuz I know where I can miss it. If your not prepared, a lot less room is out there to miss.

[otto6457]

My system:

 

1) sleep badly

2) think about the tournament non-stop

3) mess with my swing

4) gripe about my putting

5) demo new clubs

 

My system doesn't work all that well, but it keeps me busy.

 

The State Am starts qualifying soon and I am already to step #4.

[ShoxTP]

Well first off you have to make sure your shortgame is razor sharp. Being its a coure you don't play or remember you might miss greens, and nothings a better equalizer than a killer short game.

 

Second, play to your current tendency. If your hitting a fade play to it, don't fight it.

 

Lastly, please refer to number 1.

 

*****SECRET TIP******

On the day of the tournament when you head to the practice green, forget about putting to the holes. Pull out a dime and hit putts to that. Don't even glance at another hole! After doing this for a couple minutes the hole will seem like a bathtub on the course! Try it and see.

[birdiemachine11]

My system:

 

1) sleep badly

2) think about the tournament non-stop

3) mess with my swing

4) gripe about my putting

5) demo new clubs

 

My system doesn't work all that well, but it keeps me busy.

 

The State Am starts qualifying soon and I am already to step #4.

Haha, I like your system.

 

As most have said, make sure that your short game is in good shape. I played a tournament this weekend and killed myself with my chipping. Yes, I like to get online and try to find a course layout if I can. This is if I don't have the chance to play the course beforehand. I really like to know the club selection for the par threes, and try to figure out where I want to place my tee shots for good second shots into the green. Other than that, just try not to stress about it too much, which is always impossible.

[Bomb and Gouge]

For me, it's two Tylenol PM's at 11PM the night before. Otherwise I'm up until 3AM or waking up every 30 minutes.

[TEConnor]

For an unfamiliar course I like take a peek at the course via google earth, check out the scorecard/yardage guide (if available) and then make simple mental notes about the holes. If possible, I try to imagine each hole as if it were a hole at my home course or one I've had success on before...try and take the "mystique" off of a new course.

 

At the club, ask the assistant pros about the course: is there a predominant break/grain, is the practice green usually similar speed to the course (surprising how often they are not), any blind tee shots/holes worth knowing about before, etc.

 

In prep, if you can get a practice round in, try to play it with a local or two if that option is available...I LOVE playing practice rounds with some of the old cards at a club, they always know the breaks and are usually eager to share their insider knowledge.

 

Finally, remember to count your clubs before you tee off. I don't remember the last amateur tourney I played in where at least one guy didn't have an extra club. Also surprising is that folks still violate the one-ball rule a lot in am tourneys.

 

Cheers,

Tim

[kblakeney35]

as far as swing preperation, i like to spend the day/couple days before and go the every club and all possible shots i might need and make sure im absolutely comfortable hitting everything

[BigVolGolfFan]

We'll see how I fair..

 

It will be the second round with my new driver...so that should be fun!

 

I haven't played all that much lately, but I have been at least working on my ball-striking. A little sluggish starting this year.

 

I will definitely work on my short game, as I can see that it is the predominant idea.

Thanks!

[Kyle M]

My advice is simple...and yes, I used to follow it before a tournament...get a good night sleep - this means do not have "fun" with your wife/girlfriend. I always found it drained me the next day!

[mjc694]

My advice is simple...and yes, I used to follow it before a tournament...get a good night sleep - this means do not have "fun" with your wife/girlfriend. I always found it drained me the next day!

 

id rather lose the tournament that give up THAT!!!!!

 

The best advice i can offer anyone is a big tournament is to relax, and try not to put too much pressure on yourself!! The elevated expectations can come back to bite you in the tush if you let them. after all.....its JUST golf! The more you get caught up in a tournament being special, or having more meaning the easier it will be to spazz out on the course. The clubs you are playing with have no idea its a tournament, and the greens dont know it is....nothing is different about the game EXCEPT your mindset.

 

If you go into it relaxed you will play golf with LESS tension, and less tension translates into better golf shots, and better putts.

 

Good luck, and play well.

[Bomb and Gouge]

I played with a guy last weekend who was so nervous on the first tee he could barely get the ball on the tee. His hand was shaking so badly that it took him about 20 seconds.

[finalist]

Practice the par three tee shots. I rarely hit anything at the range with a tee except my driver, so teeing up a short iron can throw me off.

[SV Golfer]

I totally agree with finalist. Tee up your short irons sometimes on the range. Definitely helps.

[drewco24]

otto... dude that is classic

 

... I would add become obsessive about your equipment

[SadTrombone]

One Drink

Two Drink

Three Drink

Floor.....

 

-mini