Tournament play

[SCGolfer]

I don't know how to explain or ask this.....I don't play in many tournaments....maybe three or so a year. How do you prepare if YOU, by the handicaps, are the best player in the field?? I have a tournament coming up and based on the entry list at this point, 30 or so, I have turned in the lowest number...10...I haven't changed my preperation....still working on the things I think will help me and some stuff I haven't been doing well lately.....but I can't seem to get it out of my head that at the end of the day the number on my card needs to be better than everyone else's. I don't want to mentally put to much pressure on my game....I just haven't come up with any thoughts that shake that one.


Jason

[SiberianDVM]

#1: put the drive in the fairway. Doesn't have to be the longest, just leave yourself a shot. Trees are not your friends.
#2: know your distances you hit each club with a 90% swing. Add/subtract for uphill/downhill & wind. Overclub if in doubt. Aim for the center of the green on approaches.
#3: be conservative around water and OB. If the par 5 approach is clear of major hazards and you can get there with a 3 wood, then go for it. If there is danger or you can't get there with the longest club you can hit well off the deck, then layup to your yardage.
#4: know your yardages for full, three quarter, half & one quarter wedges and pitches. A 10 foot circle around the flagstick is your goal from 100 yards and in.
#5: chip to make it, but within 3 feet is pretty darn good.
#6: putt to make it, but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't go in.
#7: unless your initials are ETW, there's always somebody better than you at this game, so play your best and don't worry about winning or losing.
#8: think only positive thoughts.
#9: drink water on every hole.
#10: have fun.

[Victory]

always easier to play the under-dog.. play more events.. play more with people you do not know and play by the rules.. not saying you dont> just talking here. prepare on the things that you need to- do not get in your own way. have fun also. as said it is just a game and just a golf ball. and THE OTHER GUYS ARE JUST AS NERVOUS!!!!

[JEFF4i]

Let us know how it went.

I'd say juts do your best man, play your game.

[SCGolfer]

I will update this post....I am just sticking with my normal practice routine at this point and have gotten yardage books for the courses....one of which I have never played. I think at this point I am just more comfortable playing with a target instead of being a target. I am sure the guys that play really good tournament golf don't think about that anyway...just play your game against the course...but I grew up racing cars, karts anything with wheels and always had an eye on who was running the best. I guess I have just carried some of that with me. I will update.....the tourney is mid september

Jason

[SCGolfer]

So played in one of the only individual tournies I play all year this weekend. We played Lake Marion Golf Course on Friday, Santee Cooper Country Club on Saturday and Santee National on Sunday. Tournament is not flighted and this year was completely dominated by high handicaps. It has normally been won in the past by guys in the high teens that can generally have one good day and then just hang on. This year it was led at the end of both days by a 28 handy. He shot 95-94 to win at -11.....I think the difficulty in getting him exactly right is he only plays about two rounds a year. I have to give him credit for playing as little as he does to come out and break 100 both days was pretty good. Anway I ended up actually getting 11 off my 10.6 current handicap.

Shot 86 on Friday in the practice round....lots of putts and some pretty big numbers but hit the ball pretty well.

I had a horrible front nine on saturday making the turn in 44, with a 6 on a par 3. I had kinda gotten it going but after a good run of pars I made a 5 on a par 3 and finished the back at 40 for an 84 and was sitting at +1. 6 shots of the leader at -5.

I was in the third group on sunday and birdied the first for a good start. The second is a fairly short par 5 that I stupidly made bogey on from a greenside bunker in two. Missed a four footer for birdie on three and that kinda set the tone for the day. Bogied 8 and 9 two easy straight away par 4's to make the turn in 39. But having to make a big move I just took to many chances on the back nine and came home in 42 for an 81 that got me to -1. 10 shots back but in 6th place.

Good weekend weather wise for golf.....I think I am done for about a month.


Jason

[David Hillman]

Disclaimer: I have never competed in an indexed golf competition of any sort, so I may not have any idea what I'm talking about. That said, I did compete for years in handicapped index competitions in cars, which is a similar concept.

It seems to me that your original concern about having the lowest index should make no difference whatsoever to your preparation or mindset. The whole point about indexed competition is not "Who is the best?" it is "Who plays closer to their potential on that day?" To the extent that long-term practice improves your game, it is irrelevant to an indexed event, because it lowers your handicap at the same time.

In your shoes, I'd go about my business exactly as usual for that tournament. In theory, it is no harder to shoot net par as a 5 than as a 30. So it shouldn't make any difference if you have the lowest or highest index, or somewhere in between. You just have to bring it that day, and play better than you normally do to win.