Any Tournament Golf Preparation Tips?

[cyc53870]

Any tournament tips out there? I have a local tournament next month... Sheesh, it could not have come at a worse time as I am undergoing a swing change.

[GregJWillis]

Re: Any Tournament Golf Preparation Tips?

First suggestion is to stop the changes, and refocus on what you have now. Playing well in tournaments is all about consistency under pressure. If you are even slightly unsure of what you are trying to do on a shot, that will magnify 3x and you are dead.

So, start by convincing yourself that what you have now is what you are playing with.

Second, Play that course 2 or 3 times. Map a plan. Know where you can go with your drives and where not to for each hole. Know your bailouts on the greens. Learn the unique speeds of the greens, grain etc.

Then get to the range. Putt and Chip 80% of your time. Drills, drills drills until you can't imagine doing another drill. Then do another drill.

Only hit about 20-30 balls with your irons and woods and mix them up.

The key to good results in a tournament is scoring. Scoring is getting the ball in the hole. Getting the ball in the hole means chipping close and making the putt. It also means hitting perfect speeds for putts that you are putting for birdies. Don't worry so much about line, but make sure you never give away a 3 putt on a birdie attempt. So drills on speed are critical.

Good luck!

[bill reed]

Re: Any Tournament Golf Preparation Tips?

hi
if you know the course then work out what holes you have problems on and why and then work out a way to play them without giving shots away, also work out where your game is strong and where its weak and see where you can use your strengths on that course and where not to try and hit the shots you only get 10 times out 100. play the course over in your head and know where you want the ball to land on every hole. not just the left hand side but to a distance and a point you can see. have a plan worked out if you cant play the hard holes the way you want too and work out a way where you can at least play it to your handicap and then stick with that plan.
it a lot of work but worth it for one off important games.
if i had the time i do that every time i played as i find i play so much better and its as if my mind knows the shot and help me see it before i play it too.
cheers
bill

[1macca]

Re: Any Tournament Golf Preparation Tips?

Will reinforce above.

Getting the ball in the hole in as few as possible, get a swing that works. Long term work on the swing change.

Pitching and putting are where you can save shots, loads of practice in this area, more so on those 4-6 footers, knock them in and confidence is high.

Above all enjoy the day !

[bulldog2k]

Re: Any Tournament Golf Preparation Tips?

Whatever happens, don't start trying to make swing changes on the course - play with what you brought that day.

Don't hit any shot before a) evaluating all options, b) assessing your chances of success, and c) visualising exactly where it will go, where it will start, where it will land, etc

[Martin Levac]

Re: Any Tournament Golf Preparation Tips?

So soon before a tournament, go in with the skills you have. If you don't have the skills on the first tee, you won't find them on the fairway either. Prepare the skills you have and confirm that you do have them. Bring only those clubs that you are skilled with. If you must use a club that you are not skilled with, be prepared to accept whatever result you produce with it.

Good luck.

[AussieGolfBoy]

Re: Any Tournament Golf Preparation Tips?

without knowing what handicap your off. lets assume 18 for ease sakes.

don't go out trying to hit low scores each hole. play each hole and each shot as it comes and aim for a bogie holes.

BUT.

when that part or birdie opportunity comes along, make it count.

... it's a mental thing.