Soon To Be Second Scariest Golf Experience...

My first scary golf experience was my first Junior competition. 'No biggie' now when I look back at it. My second experience is coming up on Tuesday because I was selected to play for my school in the North of Scotland Schools Comp. I've only played for just over a year and I'm playing off 21. I was excited until I was told I'd be against scratch players, now I can't do anything but worry. I shouldn't worry because I know I have the ability to play good golf. My best round is 76 but it was with a mate. I can't keep the same mentality when I'm playing in competition/around people I'm unfamiliar with.

Does anyone have any tips to calm this? Range drills etc... We get to play one practice round before the comp, how do I go about it? Make markings, distances for example? I'm playing the Fortrose Course (I think), anyone ever played this course?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...

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Hi Euan,

My advice for your competition is to spend a little time standing at your ball deciding on all the things that will affect "Your" shot,

Lie
distance, uphill add 10 yrds or downhill knock 10 off etc.
Wind direction
where you want to land the ball

The set up, Alignment to the target with the club head and feet to the left of the target.

By doing all these things for every shot you will play your own game and not get to concerned with the others, Remember to play what you have practiced and have confidence in your ability, hit the ball like you practice.

By the way it's ok to have some nerves it helps you focus, I'm an expert at having nerves, but by working on these things has helped me to forget about worrying what other think of my game and just play my own.

Hope this helps


Ian.

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Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

Fortrose Course is a decent test, its not perticularly long only bout 6000 yards or sumin. The course was in excellent condition when i played it, you will enjoy the 18 holes im sure. Plus do the school not pay for it? Mine did a few years ago when i played for my high school, which means how can u not like a free round??

I wouldnt worry bout anyones handicap, specialy considering yours is 21. I've played a few schools who have had alot higher handicaps than 21, and played alot longer than a year. If you do play with someone off scratch..consider yourself lucky man. Its great playing with good ball strikers n stuff. And donnnnnt feel like they r above you cuz hes betetr than you at golf lol. Get some confidence stored up in your head (or arogance lol) like u are gona shake the guys hand firmly, stand on the 1st tee crak a joke or whatever then jus smash one down the fairway etc..s what i do. CMON THE AROGANCEEE. If its mental, jus believe

Oh ye plus what ian sed Let us know how u do bud

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B.I.G

Here is a simple thought that some tend to overlook in comps. When it is your turn to putt, take your time. Waiting for your turn creates tension, and what happens is when it does become your turn, you release that tension by quickly getting the putt over with, sometimes by rushing your routine, or not looking from behind the hole, or from the side. Stalk the putt like you are going to bury every single one! 4 feet, 40 feet, doesn't matter. When it is your turn, make it your turn. Walk all over the green, right in front of your oponant if you have to. This will release the tension for you. Breath slow and deep while you stalk. Tell yourself that you will make this one, that it will do exactly what you see. When you get to your ball and are ready to knock it in, you have already made it in your mind and will end up making more.

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I'm a golfaholic, no question about that. Counseling wouldn't help me. They'd have to put me in prison, and then I'd talk the warden into building a hole or two and teach him how to play. ~Lee Trevino

It's two free rounds actually ! Is there a driving range out there? There's handicap and scratch prizes I've been told so I guess I've got a good chance of winning the handicap prize because I'm the junior bandit, I'll admit.

Thanks for the help guys...play my own game and forget about my partner and how he plays, I'll try that.

I'm glad it's not too long because I'm having problem with my driver and I hit my 3 wood a reasonable distance, 8/10 it's straight or with a slight fade. I'll let you know how I got on, hopefully it will be good news. Fingers crossed !

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I find I play my best golf with low handicappers. My HCP is in the high teens (mostly because I sway and don't realize it until it's too late - but that's another story).

But my best rounds have come when I'm playing with guys who are 'out of my league', so to say. Being able to watch them execute seems to trickle down into my own game.

Good luck, and remember to play the course, not your opponents.

I completely agree with Ben. I always seem to play better with pros than I do with hackers. I think it's the sense of competition brings out my best game. When I play with higher handicap golfers I tend to try shots I wouldn't normally try because I can afford to lose a couple strokes here and there. When playing low handicappers I tend to take the highest percentage shot presented to me.

A few things to remember: aim for the center of the greens, do not go hunting for pins. If you have a fade, play the left edge of the fairway so you have room to move left to right, do not aim for the center centre hoping for a straight shot. If between clubs, always take a bigger club and swing easier rather than the lower club and swinging as hard as you can. On par 5's, always play to the 100 yard marker on your 2nd shot. Don't worry about trying to reach the green in 2 unless you are inside 200 yards after your tee shot. On the green, just try to get your first putt close. Follow Greg's advise above and TRUST the line you have selected. If you know in your mind that the line you have selected is correct, the only thing you have to worry about is weight. Walk off your longer putts (over 10 feet) so you know how many feet it is from the hole to your ball - this will give you a much better idea of how hard you need to hit the ball (remember to factor in uphill/downhill slopes). The most important tips - don't let anyone else's game or actions get in your head. Don't let the last bad shot get to you. It's already been hit. Think about how good your next shot will be, not how bad the last one was. Lastly, HAVE FUN! People always play better when they are relaxed with a smile on their face. Now go out there and kick some butt!!

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Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall