Playing in first competition

soverybored1878

Playing golf for around 18 months and feel like I'm finally starting to get a handle on most of the facets of the game and ready to take the plunge and start playing in competitions. I usually play weekends and evenings with friends but life is getting in the way so also see it as a way to meet new playing partners.

Saturday will be my very first.

Slightly nervous. Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom or advice for starting in playing competitively?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058360903/playing-in-first-competition

Make sure you know what the rules are. Don't mean this in a smart way but when playing with friends you might not take the game seriously. Playing in competitions is completely different. Also, the best way to improve is by playing competitions and setting personal targets.

Good luck.

Marty1983

Like the previous poster maybe check up the hazards on the score card and the rulings concerning them like OB or Lateral.

We all started somewhere so take your time and enjoy yourself - remember, if you are not sure just ask!

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058360903/playing-in-first-competition

You'll be grand. I only started playing competitions this year too. Great fun, more fun than casual golf.

Mention to your playing partners that it's your first competition and they will keep you right. Ask questions if you're not sure about something.

Competitions are more serious than casual golf in the sense that people strictly play to the rules and avoid experimental shots, but it's not like everyone is going around acting like a PGA tour pro, the overwhelming majority are still out there just to have fun.

Focus on your own game, don't focus on what other people are doing or how other people are scoring. Don't talk about the player's score you are marking until the end of the round, like don't be saying things like "you're running up a great score here" etc.

coillcam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058360903/playing-in-first-competition

Try not to hold up play and put your trolley in the right place for the next tee. Pick up if it's a stableford and you can't score etc. Like Awec says chat to the other lads and they'll keep you in the loop. Watch out for completing your card properly and signing off. Best to always record your score on the card you are marking in a spare column to compare against your own card after finishing. It happens more often than you realise where the marker gets a hole wrong which can be a DQ or giving away strokes.

Otherwise make sure you're covered for basic rules, hazards, unplayables and so on. Otherwise play steady golf, take your medicine and most importantly enjoy the experience.

Deeper Blue

Make sure you have spare balls, tees etc handy, you don't want to be about to tee off and then have to go rustling through your bag, especially if you need to hit a provisional. Also make sure to have a ball marker and pitchmark repair tool in the pocket aswell.

As others have said already tell your playing partners that it's your first competition and that should help. Most importantly enjoy and don't worry too much about the score.

dan_ep82

Don’t forget to tell the handicap committee it’s your first competition so they can set up the usual crowd at the 1st tee box to see you off

In all seriousness, just let the lads know it’s your first comp. If it’s stableford pick up after nett triple, a little complicated depending on what your handicap is but just ask the group. Always hit a provisional if your unsure.

My first comp I picked a day where BMW were sponsoring the event. Got a little goodie bag and had the new 7 series behind me and a big group around the tee. Nutted the ball into the tree about 40yds off the tee and nearly made it back to the tee box, enjoyed the rest of it though 😂

soverybored1878

Thanks all, this is great stuff. Threw my name down with a similar level to my handicap which should ease the nerves.

I'm excited but just hope I don't make any silly mistakes around marking the card or whatever. Brushing up on that but otherwise, good to go!

allybhoy

Some great advice here already, would echo all of it. On the rules… if your not sure ask. Make sure you score the card of your playing partner correctly. if Stableford and you dont know how to work out the points, just write down the total shots. Make sure you record your own score also..and dont forget to sign both yours and the card you are marking.

Biggest one though for me personally is try not to hold up play.. few good tips already. Always hit a provisional, if you cant score on a hole, pick up and move on etc. But the main one for me is to be trying to think about your shot before you get to your ball… dont just arrive at your ball without the faintest idea of what you are going to hit, i see this a lot with beginners and it definitely slows the pace of play down and will annoy your playing partners.

Few little tips, as your walking off the tee and before you arrive at your ball look at the flag, is it front middle or back, is the wind with or against on that hole, are you in the rough or the fairway, have you played from a similar spot before on that hole and if so what did you hit then, try and think about these things as you are walking down so when you get to the ball you will have a lot of it figured out and have it narrowed down to 2 clubs before you get there.. EG:- is it 7 or 8iron.. Should also help you play better golf as your mind will be clearer and you can commit fully to the shot. I see so many beginners get to their ball before they start processing any of the above then take a couple of minutes to make a decision and then rushing their shot having not gone through their pre-shot routine. The more you play the more you will do this automatically but when if your only new to the game some of this wont be natural.

Last thing..enjoy it. Your not playing a major, yes you will be nervous but that will settle down after a few holes.

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122415108#Comment_122415108

Thanks mate. I actually do all that stuff already to be honest.

I've been lucky enough to have played with some really patient friends who are excellent golfers and had great advice from them since I first picked up a club so that part is taken care of. I'm playing off 19 so not the best, but not the worst either. The mental side is strong too, I don't dwell on bad shots, I always know what club I'm taking and my strategy for the hole. Putting it into practice is another matter but sure, that's golf.

I just don't want to get disqualified for doing something daft or get on anyone's nerves! 😂

Russman

Do your best to enjoy it and not build it up to be something it isn't. Even the best in the world started somewhere. It's still just golf and only a game, albeit the best game in the world. Tell your playing partners its your first competition and they'll look after you. Ask if in doubt about anything re rules and etiquette. 99% of golfers are great company and will be understanding.

Use your time between shots to come up with new excuses for all the elongated cardboard boxes that will be arriving at your front door 😁😁!!

allybhoy

Well then your laughing so, try to enjoy it! If possible try to get there early and get a good warm up in, will help with nerves. I remember one of the first comps i played, was the monthly medal, so strokes id never played strokes before. I was nervous as anything big crowd on the teebox, shanked 2 drives straight right into a bush, 5 off the tee and walked off with a 10 wanting to cry.. next hole was a short par3, somehow birdied it, then followed that up with an 8 on the next. Eventually settled down after that but the Lads i was playing gave me the nickname clock for the remainder of the round (Ten to 8)

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122415324#Comment_122415324

I'm an equipment junkie! My wife is starting to see through my 'oh so-and-so lent me this driver/wedge/putter' excuse. Luckily, she has absolutely zero interest and has no idea how much things cost so I'm golden!

That's great advice, I am probably guilty of maybe taking the game TOO seriously and beating myself up but that's diminished massively in recent rounds so that's why I feel like I'm ready for comps.

finglashoop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122415374#Comment_122415374

Enjoy it

Let lads know its your first comp and they should look after you.

Remember nobody cares about your score except you and everyone has blow ups so when it happens pick up and move on. Dont let one bad hole ruin a round. After few comps all will be second nature.

Best of luck

willabur

echo what the other folk have said about pace of play, observing others, knowing when to pick up and where to leave your bag.

One thing I would add is, don't worry about winning. Its ultimately a game vs yourself so treat it as such. After your round try to recall the round you just played. What clubs you took off the tee, how many shots until you got to the green and how many putts you are taking. Give yourself a baseline for the next time you go out, start building a strategy for the course and how to score on it.

Most of all enjoy it, I thought my competitive sporting days were well behind me until I joined my course 5 years ago. I still don't care too much for the sunday comps. I do love matchplay though

BraveDonut

Don't be intimidated by your playing partners. They may be much better players and have lots of competition experience. You will play bad shots - they will not be concerned about this. They will probably be very supportive

Dbu

Enjoy it and keep up with the group in front😂

Concerned2

Make sure its a stableford competition, they are a bit less stressful than the strokeplay ones. Also get one of those pens for putting your own mark on the ball and write that mark on all the balls you will be using. You would be surprised the one time you are using a 10 year old obscure ball and hit it into the rough one of your playing partners hits the exact same ball to virtually the exact same place and your mark will make it obvious which one is yours. Also get one of those ball marking tools for putting a straight line on your ball and put that straight line on all your balls. When you are lining up a putt on the green line the ball line up with the hole , if you are poor at lining up putts like me this will help. If you are very nervous on the first tee don't necessarily hit the driver , just hit a club you are pretty confident you can get out there.

enfant terrible

A mistake I made when starting was walking across the line of the next guy to putt, so watch out for that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122425057#Comment_122425057

A big no-no.

enfant terrible

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122425305#Comment_122425305

I wouldn't say a big no no when a beginner, even the pros do it occasionally but definitely good to know.

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122425057#Comment_122425057

First ever round I played (shot 127 🤣), I did that and my friend told me, in no uncertain terms, that I was never to do that again and I never have. Also I'm super concious of shadows in another players line too.

allybhoy

How did you get on? Hopefully you enjoyed it and your signed in for another comp this weekend!

BraveDonut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122425057#Comment_122425057

I think we need to get over this to be honest - We all wear soft spikes or spikeless shoes these days and the rule was changed to allow you to repair anything in your line. When I see one of my playing partners standing awkwardly or going to mark a short putt, I tell them to stand where they like (in my line).
Some players simply won't do it though as the etiquette is so ingrained.

Should help to speed up play

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122455864#Comment_122455864

Well, not my best. Only 28 points sadly. I scratched 5 holes which was disappointing. A few were just because of poor decisions and poor club choices and the rest were nerves. I know I can do better so I'm not too disheartened. If I play to the best of my ability then I will be up there.

The main thing was that I loved it, paired up with some great lads and I am indeed signed on for another comp this weekend.

Thanks everyone for all the advice 😊

allybhoy

28 points is more than respectable, especially considering you had 5 scratches

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122457440#Comment_122457440

Thank you, I appreciate that. The lads with me said the same. It's frustrating because I performed well on the harder holes and messed up some of the 'easier' holes. Just need to think my shots through more. But it was a great experience.

Sadly couldn't get out this weekend in the end. We're in the middle of moving house and when I said I was playing golf, I was convinced my wife was about to take the head off my shoulders.