Preparation for a golf tournament?

Question

This is my first tournament. I never played golf competitively, except for dollar games on the weekend, and my company outing (not very competitive, league rules).

What should I do leading up to the event?

The event is on Saturday, today is Monday, What should I do the 6 days prior?

Any ideas on how to mentally prepare?

Answer 1

Without knowing you or your game, some considerations:

-If it's a strokeplay event, get used to putting everything out.  Even the six-inch putts.  I play the MB World Amateur every year, and it's amazing how many guys miss the 6/12/18 inch putts that they're used to picking up.

-When you practice, get used to hitting out of divots, since you'll most likely be playing them down.  

-Become familiar with the rules of golf (specifically lost ball, hazards, OB, and any local rules).

-If you're able to, play a practice round of the course, or at least become familiar with the routing.  If you don't have a GPS/Skycaddie, get a yardage book (unless the course has carts w/ GPS).

-Work on your short game.  All the chips, sand shots, etc.  

-If it's a tournament where they are playing them down, figure the pace of play is not going to be that fast.  Figure glacial.    

-To that, stay hydrated.  You get dehydrated, you become fatigued and your concentration goes to pot.

-Have everything laid out the night before.  Make sure your bag has everything you need in it.  The last thing you want is to have to run around looking for tees, ballmarkers, divot repair tools, towel, etc.

-Mark at least two sleeves of balls.

-Make sure your bag only has 14 clubs.  Count them to make sure.

-Keep bug spray, sunscreen, advil, and a couple bandaids in your golf bag.  Trust me.  

Mental preparation should involve belief in yourself, and relaxing.  

Answer 2

Watch some video type of the tournament, esp if you have on the course you're playing. Light exercise, go for driving range, some practice round, and don't forget to have s*x. It relaxes you.

Answer 3

In addition, it wouldn't hurt to brush up on the rules. You should at least know the most common situations:

- Where to drop for a ball in a hazard, and the difference between red stakes and yellow. You can't play a provisional for a ball in a hazard

- Proper procedure for lost ball or OB. Both are stroke and distance, and you can hit a provisional if you think your ball may be lost;

- Procedure for "nearest point of relief" for ground under repair, casual water, immovable obstructions, etc.

- Procedure for "unplayable lie"

- Don't ask for advice, or give anyone else advice (unless it's your partner in a team event),

- Don't ground your club in a hazard or bunker;

- Don't touch your line of putt; don't repair spike marks or scuff marks until after you hole out;



- Don't touch your ball unless you mark it

- Don't touch someone else's ball ever

Answer 4

If this is your first event then I would do as they said above approach it like any other game. You should just go out on Saturday with the intention of having fun and trying to enjoy your game. If you put pressure on yourself like you seem to be you will tighten up and your swing will suffer..  

I don't know what standard you play at but I guess that this being your first competition that your relatively new to the game. If you're gonna get a chance to practice between now and then practice short game, this is 60-70% of your game. Gain confidence in these shots and your game will improve.

Don't put yourself under any pressure, enjoy the game and set yourself a goal. Don't make the goal to win as this is out of your control someone else could have the game of their life and beat you. Set a score that you think you can achieve or the amount of pars you want to have, and be realistic.

Hope this helps and enjoy your game on Saturday!

Answer 5

Mentally you have to look at it as any other golf event you have played.  You also don't want to have any expectations going in,  Just take it one shot at a time and make sure that your ready to mentally accept your mishits and not try to make shots after your mishits that you know you can't make.  Play smart and don't let one bad shot turn into 4.

Also practice putting and chipping as much as possible.  Get confident and when you are in the event be able to know that ust getting it anywhere on the green or close to the green will put you in good position.  that will take a lot of pressure off having to feel like you have to shoot at every pin.  and in doing so you will hit much better shots.

I recomend getting a book called Zen Golf from the library or pick it up.  It has helped me immensly with my mental game