gonna enter my first stroke play event

[niblick]

and i'm already nervous. i really want get some exposure to competition and there's a local tourney with a flighted net division that i'm going to enter. i really think it will help me take my game up a notch to start learning how to compete. i'm gonna have to play that course a time or two prior to the event.

any pointers or thoughts?

[15andlife]

Dont worry about score, play it each shot at a time and you'll do fine. Don't try and play against your opponents just play against the course. After 2 or 3 tournaments the nerves go away and you really start having fun.

[JEFF4i]

As said, play each shot at the time. Relax, and keep in mind, this is your first tournament.

[MIKE1218]

The most important thing is to just relax and have fun. Don't get caught up about your score, especially since it is your first tournament. Good luck.

[gwlee7]

In addition to the great advice above, since it's stroke and not match play, be willing to "take your medicine" if you get in trouble. Play smart by not following a bad shot with a worse shot.

[5iron]

Good luck man

[SiberianDVM]

I just started playing net flighted tourneys this year, and I have played in 8 so far. I won 1. That was a huge rush. Then I got hammered the next tourney.

Tournement golf bears no resemblance to "fun" golf. Once you get hooked on it, you will want to play no other.

Go into it with the idea that you are going to have fun, not that you are going to win your first time out.

But all in all, they are usually great fun. Sometimes you will have a playing companion who will get on your nerves. That is not so much fun. Just try to get through the round quietly.

Be ready to play by the strict rules of golf. Take a rule book with you.

Mark your golf balls.

Count your clubs before loading them in your cart, no more than 14.

Sign up for pins and skins, if you have them. Sometimes you get lucky.

Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.