Playing my first competition Sunday...advice please!!

ssbob

So I am playing in my first ever competition this coming Sunday in Blarney Golf Resort, joined about 9/10 weeks ago but this is the first time I have been able to get out and play in a comp. It is a stableford competition and I have been given a handicap of 20.

I have not a clue of how I should play as normally I just play to get under 100............

Also do you mark your card with strokes taken on each hole or with stableford points or both?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

chalkie 501

ssbob wrote: »

It is a stableford competition

do you mark your card with strokes taken on each hole or with stableford points or both?
.

You have to put in your gross score and in the points section you put in the stableford value of that score....once you cant gain any points on the hole(played too many shots)you can just pick up,then you just add up the stableford total at the end.your playing partners will show you anyway,just play to enjoy it bob and dont get too uptight if things arnt going well...its your first comp, enjoy it and best of luck

alxmorgan

In same boat until recently. Relax and enjoy.
Don't get too worried if you play badly - at least with stableford you can pick it up and continue on so no big deal.

You're playing partners will undoubtedly be a help.
Let us know how you go.

And if I had one tip - play within yourself. Don't try to be a hero.
No point letting the 6 handicapper that drives before make you think you have to follow that. Just play your own game

PhilipMarlowe

Pretty much play as normal!

Try not to get caught up in the fact that it's a competition because you'll likely tie yourself in knots. You need to be relaxed and go out and enjoy the game. Also, a common 'thing' when playing a competition is tracking how you are doing... It doesn't matter if you are after scratching the first or having a birdie - you still need to play the 2nd hole as good as you can so try and forget the past and concentrate on the present (next) shot.

The fact that it's a Stableford competition will make it a bit easier. In a Stroke competition you must complete every hole, even if you've made an arse of it. In Stableford, once you have taken so many shots that you can't score any points on the hole you can pick up and move on. This is not positive thinking so just forget I said it

Follow whatever procedures there are for signing in. If you're not sure, ask. Arrive early enough so that you are not rushed. Usually you sign in (to a book, computer, perhaps both) and pay your entry fee.
Fill out your name, the competition name, the date and your handicap on your scorecard.
On the first tee you should swap cards with a fellow-competitor whose job it is to mark your card. If you're in a group of 3 then A & B can swap and then after that B & C can swap so that A marks B, B marks C and C marks A's card (you're marking someone who's not marking your card, unless there's just 2 of you!).
You'll have the task of filling out someone else's card - you should ask them (to confirm) how many strokes they had at the previous hole and indicate how many you took to your marker. It's best to keep track of this as you go along (just after the hole or on the next tee box). Some cards have a column so the marker can record his score which is useful for checking against at the end of the round...

All you are obliged to do is record the strokes - the computation & application of points is not compulsory but it's generally done. Also, you don't have to add up the strokes or points but again it's usually done.
Don't worry about all of this. Explain to your partner(s) that you are a newbie and they will guide you on anything you are unclear on.
At the end of the round you sign the other person's card (that you marked).
Your marker will hand you your card (that he signed) and you should check that it's all correct (particularly the individual strokes on each hole) and then you sign it as the player.

Usually then you are expected to enter this card into the computer which makes the processing of the competition much easier. Again, if unsure, just ask someone!
Put your card in the scorecard box.

Then come on here and add to the "how did you score..." sticky thread and make sure to include words like "should have", "could have" etc.

Fourcandle

Don't forget you will have 2 shots on the index 1 and 2 holes. Good luck!

Newuser12345

Call out what ball you're playing on 1st or if you change/lose
Mark the ball with a marker

Whyner

Bloody hell Licksy, that's some advice, should he wear the dark blue or navy undies?

Ah enjoy it ssbob, hopefully you play well. Even if you don't you'll learn loads and will have less things on your mind for the next comp. Good luck!

BraveDonut

I played my first comp last year. As for advice:
2 words:
- 1 relax!
- 2 enjoy!

soundsham

Stay home the forecast is shocking !!

Relax and enjoy !

colmsix

relax and enjoy it and navy blue jocks will do you !!!

Run Forest! Run

Mark all your putts, even the 2 footers because if you're only used to practice rounds then you're mostly just picking them up or one handing them in. Make all of them and it could be the difference between a good score and +1.

NoelAPM

and dont stand behind anyone while there putting, especially if your marker is near there line. Or ask any1 what club there playing on the tee box of a par 3. :P

ssbob

So after a hairy drive on the first tee, had about 6ft left for a bogey(and 2 points) when I grounded my club, the ball rolled about 3 dimples(windy day).....penalty stroke, then proceeded to miss the putt for a six, so made seven and no points.......................

Lost about 6 balls in the next five holes before I settled down but still could not drive the ball to save my life all day, some work needed!!! It was a windy day all round, balls were blowing off the greens.

Even though I did crap, I still enjoyed it and learned a bit.:D

charlieIRL

ssbob wrote: »

Even though I did crap, I still enjoyed it and learned a bit.:D

thats the main thing for me - not to get too bogged down when things go wrong.

Best of luck next time out.

aster99

I imagine it would have been unreal windy in blarney yesterday, course can be very tough in those conditions. 33 points won the comp so that gives an idea of how bad it was up there

ssbob

aster99 wrote: »

I imagine it would have been unreal windy in blarney yesterday, course can be very tough in those conditions. 33 points won the comp so that gives an idea of how bad it was up there

Well I had a dissapointing 5 points....................

Guy I was playing with had 31 points and has been a member there for 4 years, said he has never seen it as windy.

No excuse for 5 points though is there?

couerdelion

ssbob wrote: »

Well I had a dissapointing 5 points....................

Guy I was playing with had 31 points and has been a member there for 4 years, said he has never seen it as windy.

No excuse for 5 points though is there?

The weather was terrible on Sunday and rather than be getting annoyed with the score just set it as a marker and promise yourself you will never score lower than that. It was your first competition so as well as the weather you probably had nerves to contend with too.

getcover

Congrats.
I think a first competition must be a bit nerve wracking, and you feel a bit of pressure.
Look at it this way, you are 5 points and one competition wiser than 10 weeks ago when you joined the club.

BoardsMember

I've played with guys on single figures that have had below 18 points, so five on your first outing is not too bad. Most important thing is to enjoy it. Concentrate on every shot like, have a clear image in your head what you want to do. Then relax and enjoy a chat between shots. Make sure you stay loose. I have come thru a terrible time with my nerves by breathing well, and concentrating on making sure my arms are relaxed at address, and making sure I enjoy myself regardless of outcome.

Myksyk

4 handicapper in our club had 6 points on the front nine over the weekend so it can happen to anybody.

Osgoodisgood

ssbob wrote: »

Well I had a dissapointing 5 points....................

Guy I was playing with had 31 points and has been a member there for 4 years, said he has never seen it as windy.

No excuse for 5 points though is there?

No excuses? You've gotta be kidding!

First comp
Force 10 gales
Lashing rain
Full moon
Locusts

This is a game to be enjoyed, played in good spirit with people who've been through this many times. Use all the excuses you like as long as you keep having fun.

In a couple of months they'll all be queueing up to partner you in the fourballs. Enjoy.

chalkie 501

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

No excuses? You've gotta be kidding!

First comp
Force 10 gales
Lashing rain
Full moon
Locusts

This is a game to be enjoyed, played in good spirit with people who've been through this many times. Use all the excuses you like as long as you keep having fun.

In a couple of months they'll all be queueing up to partner you in the fourballs. Enjoy.

Brilliantly put Osgoodisgood,well done.
It was a pity your first comp was in such tough conditions bob,but at least next time it will be much better,take each week as learning curve and keep trying to beat the previous weeks score,in no time you'll be contending regularly.well done for even playing the last day i know a lot of people who would never play or complete 18 holes in that weather.I played with a 6 h/capper yesterday who shot 95 in much calmer conditions.
Looking forward to hearing about your second comp;)

ssbob

chalkie 501 wrote: »

Brilliantly put Osgoodisgood,well done.
It was a pity your first comp was in such tough conditions bob,but at least next time it will be much better,take each week as learning curve and keep trying to beat the previous weeks score,in no time you'll be contending regularly.well done for even playing the last day i know a lot of people who would never play or complete 18 holes in that weather.I played with a 6 h/capper yesterday who shot 95 in much calmer conditions.
Looking forward to hearing about your second comp;)

I will keep ye updated, there is the monthly medal on this week, what does that entail? Is it stroke play?

IITYWYBMAD

ssbob wrote: »

I will keep ye updated, there is the monthly medal on this week, what does that entail? Is it stroke play?

Strokes, Back Tees. Just hope the wind doesn't blow as much...

ssbob

IITYWYBMAD wrote: »

Strokes, Back Tees. Just hope the wind doesn't blow as much...

Might give that one a pop so this weekend.

denlaw

get up , hit it as hard as you can , go find it , hit it as far as you can again ..

Myksyk

ssbob wrote: »

Might give that one a pop so this weekend.

Medals are a tough test so don't get down on yourself. Being a stroke comp means finishing every hole out and unlike stableford every stroke counts. Enjoy ut and see it as another opportunity to taste official competition.

alxmorgan

Played my first medal a few weeks ago and was playing really well going into it.
Thing is as its not stableford you have to up your concentration levels as if it goes wrong then you're not just picking up the ball and moving on you have to plough on. Put up a 9 on the 5th and that killed my confidence.

If I were you I'd just consider that a scratch and move on (mentally) as I let it get to me and it affected my round.

Dr_Colossus

Myksyk wrote: »

Medals are a tough test so don't get down on yourself. Being a stroke comp means finishing every hole out and unlike stableford every stroke counts. Enjoy ut and see it as another opportunity to taste official competition.

Definately, playing the club medal last Sun and doing really nicely until I came to the 16th, par 3 190yards into a strong cross wind and managed to put 4 balls out of bounds and finish with a record 12 strokes. Was a real sickener and finished the last 2 holes poorly also.

LostPassword

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Definately, playing the club medal last Sun and doing really nicely until I came to the 16th, par 3 190yards into a strong cross wind and managed to put 4 balls out of bounds and finish with a record 12 strokes. Was a real sickener and finished the last 2 holes poorly also.

Ouch. That's agonisingly late in the round to suffer a total collapse. Commisserations.

Zak Flaps

ssbob wrote: »

No excuse for 5 points though is there?

Plenty of excuses....wind, rain, nerves etc....
Nothing to worry about. You will improve. It's just
experience. You will probably never do worse than 5
again.