Contemplating entering into City Championship. Any Advice?

Hey all - took a 2 month hiatus from my golf game due to a new job and baby boy (yorkshire terrier that is).

Anyway, I decided to play a couple of rounds this weekend - seeing just how rusty I was. Turns out I wasn't rusty at all and ended up shooting my best scores this year - 67 (par 72) and 69 (par 70).

With that said, each of my playing partners ( I play alone, get paired up the majority of the time) mentioned that I should enter into the City Championship this coming weekend, something I have never thought about doing this year - at least not for another year or two until I can completely iorn out my game.

My question is, should I enter into the tournament? Just to see where I'm at? I've never played competitive golf, not even a small bet with a friend - I just play because it's something to do outside and is alot of fun, especially when you shoot well.

I fear that I will be intimidated by the 'hardcore' golfers that would enter into the tournament - you know the guys that can bomb it 300 yards, while I dink up my 230-240yard drive.

Have any of you guys ever competed in these public tournaments? My stats are great and all - but it's the fear of failure that might be the end of me in the tournament if I decide to join - any advice?

Thanks guys - always appreciate it, happy golfing!

__________________
IN THE BAG:
- 10.5 deg GX Squared TI w/UST Proforce 65 SFlex (GigaGolf.com)
- Ben Hogan CFT Ti 3i Hybrid, Steel (Used)
- Nike Pro Combo 3-PW/TT DGSL S300 (From LowPost42 on GTO - Thanks man)
- 56 deg SGS "Score Grind Scale" Wedge (GigaGolf.com)
- 54 deg Cleveland CG10 Wedge
- White Polymer Putter Model 692 - Stainless Steel
- TaylorMade TP Red Golf Ball or Titleist DT Solo (Quite the difference I know)

MY GOLF BLOG

67 gross or net? If you shot 67 gross, and you've never played competitive golf, then I think you should be signing up for this tournament just as quickly as your name can be signed

hi matt
im with bulldog on this one
with scoring that get down there and get signed up

slats, bulldog - thanks for the quick response.

67 gross - yeah, I know I can shoot low - but that's 'cause I really don't try that hard when I play, it's like a stroll in the park to me. I just think that if that competitive element comes into play - I won't be able to keep it together.

Maybe I need a golf psychology article/book

Best of luck man.......Tis time to take it to another level.

Matt,

Why not. It's an opportunity to give competitive golf a try, whats the worse that can happen? No one will burn down your house, shoot your dog or stick pins in your eyes

Go on, try it!

Give it a go. What do you have to lose? (BTW, the answer is nothing.)

The challenge will be to 'just treat it like a walk' for 2 or 3 days.

Use the same logic that I did when I tried out for Varsity Basketball - if I never go to tryouts, I'll never know if I'm good enough to make the team. FWIW, I was.

You might find out that you like competitive golf. Perhaps even perform better.

Interesting, LP thanks for the insight - I never thought about whether I'd like it or not, I've always thought about golf as just for fun - I'm a soccer player at heart.

At the moment, I've decided to enter, just to see and if it's not for me, at least I found out early.

Btw, I picked up a used 9.5* TaylorMade r5 TP from GolfGalaxy a couple of hours ago, I'm hitting this thing better than anything - and farther, averaged 250 yards on the machine, and straight. Not bad for $80 either.

Many players who gain the lead by playing aggressively suddenly change their plan on sunday to a defensive strategy. The mere act of changing one's plan is enough to make them fail. They frequently fail to make it with their lead intact because of it. Those that play the same way to gain the lead and to keep it frequently keep it and win. Such as Tiger, for instance.

The point is, do what you know. Like you said, it's a stroll in the park. Take a stroll to the city championship, see if you like the view. If you like it, then keep strolling until you're done. If you must pretend there's nobody there, then pretend there's nobody there. If you must pretend it's any old sunday, then pretend it's any old sunday.

You fear that you'll fear the bombers. Don't. Nothing you can do about them anyway. So why worry? No reason. In fact, once the bombers know you can go under with 230 yard drives, they'll fear you. But it's not a matter of fear, it's a matter of confidence. The more you have, the closer you play to your potential.

As I said, do what you know.

What else can you do?

Martin - do you mind if I use this quote as my sig? It's exactly what I needed to hear - and what most should live by.

I don't mind at all, go ahead.

Just a quick update.I entered in.

.....

Shot +3, 73 in the first round today...

Looks like that's the leader's score (me)

Final Round tomorrow, Wish me luck.

Fabulous! Good luck and let us know how you get on

Great stuff. Play well!