1st competition nerves!!

[chrisd]

Hmmmmm OK......it's only a game of golf, not really something to get nervous about. I do it for fun, maybe if it was my living I might get nervous.

I agree with you D4S except, if I were good enough to do it for a living I'd really have nothing to get nervous about. I saw Stenson today real close up and he never looked anything other than cool, calm and collected

To be honest, the worst thing that can happen is that you cock your round up, nobody dies!

 

[garyinderry]

When I play poker for a fiver I get nervous.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I agree with you D4S except, if I were good enough to do it for a living I'd really have nothing to get nervous about. I saw Stenson today real close up and he never looked anything other than cool, calm and collected

To be honest, the worst thing that can happen is that you cock your round up, nobody dies!

True Chirs but I guess there are different levels of pro. Stenson is probably only going to get nervous when in a winning position or in majors. A journeyman having to make the cut in the last event of the season to keep his card would probably be filling his pants

 

[chrisd]

True Chirs but I guess there are different levels of pro. Stenson is probably only going to get nervous when in a winning position or in majors. A journeyman having to make the cut in the last event of the season to keep his card would probably be filling his pants

To be honest Stenson didn't want to be there!

Pete Cowan said to me that Stensons wife was due to deliver their 3rd child last Tuesday and he wanted, quite understandably, to be at her side. I guess that's why he's got to the semis - no nerves at all!

 

[DaveyG]

sorry but imho this is utter rubbish, unless you seriously overvalue what a monthly medal at a local golf club is! its a hobby and at the end of the day its still a friendly game of golf with a couple of like minded individuals where on a good day you might win a few quid or a prize or two (usually yet more cut glass!) struggle to see why you should get nervous for this. Or as you say im clearly doing something wrong

Ha, I couldn't agree with you more.

I was nervous for my first but have played in about 4 now and look forward to them... No real nerves - I know I am capable of a cut or a 0.1 neither give me a cold sweat.

Its funny though before I joined comps I did feel differently towards them and almost thought bounce games are for fun and comps are serious. I was completely wrong with this and will definitely make our bounce games a little more competitive... I am not really all about winning I am after a cut. But standing on a par 5 after a good drive knowing it means something if I play safe or go big keeps it interesting for me.... I have spent the last 2 and a half years of playing golf just having a knock which has held back things like course management and possibily my potentinal.

Take the nerves for the first comp mate, you will stand on the tee next time feeling more comfortable for the experience

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You should feel nervous before ANY competition, if you don't feel the same way as you do for your first every time then you are doing something wrong!

The difference is that over time you learn how to take those feelings and that adrenaline and use it to your advantage.

Dont feel nervous before any game of golf regardless if its a comp or social !

What do i have to feel nervous about - its only a game of golf that i play for fun

To the OP - just go out and enjoy yourself - forget about the HC of your FC and just chat to them and enjoy their company

 

[delc]

Dont feel nervous before any game of golf regardless if its a comp or social !

What do i have to feel nervous about - its only a game of golf that i play for fun

To the OP - just go out and enjoy yourself - forget about the HC of your FC and just chat to them and enjoy their company

I personally get much more nervous on the 1st tee of a golf comp than I do when taking off in a light aircraft or a glider (flying is my other hobby). After all, I can only get killed flying, but I can make myself look like a right idiot if I top the ball off the tee, or play some other rank bad shot! :mmm:

 

[ScienceBoy]

Dont feel nervous before any game of golf regardless if its a comp or social !

What do i have to feel nervous about - its only a game of golf that i play for fun

I play competitive sports FOR that feeling, over the years I have learnt to channel it into positive things but without that buzz why not just do a social round.

There is a reason why all my most memorable and best rounds come in competition, because the nervousness and adrenaline can be channelled into making me perform better! This takes time so for the first few competitions its about learning to get on top and use those feelings.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I play competitive sports FOR that feeling, over the years I have learnt to channel it into positive things but without that buzz why not just do a social round.

There is a reason why all my most memorable and best rounds come in competition, because the nervousness and adrenaline can be channelled into making me perform better! This takes time so for the first few competitions its about learning to get on top and use those feelings.

What is there to be nervous about though

If it doesnt go well then you just play another game and then another - your living isnt riding on it

I treat every game as a social game of golf regardless of if its a comp etc - because its my hobby

 

[Smiffy]

I'm a little bit nervous on the first tee, but not of the competition. I love competition.
I just don't want to make myself look a tit in front of everybody and oink one into teddy bear country.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I play competitive sports FOR that feeling, over the years I have learnt to channel it into positive things but without that buzz why not just do a social round.

There is a reason why all my most memorable and best rounds come in competition, because the nervousness and adrenaline can be channelled into making me perform better! This takes time so for the first few competitions its about learning to get on top and use those feelings.

I'm the same as you, I love the buzz from competitive golf but it is completely different from nerves.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I really think we are all talking about the same thing here when we say we love the buzz, nerves or whatever we call it.

I used to always feel the same before every rugby match and I still do for every competitive golf round.

Nerves and the "buzz" from competitive golf are the same thing just viewed with different perceptions. The perception is changed with time and experience. OP remember that and just go out to learn to conquer those feelings and turn them to your advantage!

I still feel those feelings every time I play competitive golf, those feelings ONLY driven because I am playing competitively and nothing else, not prizes, opponents or potential embarrassment. Master them and you will be as cool as those who state that is how they feel every time they play, they are the master of their nerves and use them as their biggest weapon (and a huge advantage over those who are ruled by them).

 

[Evesdad]

I was a wreck in my first few comps and did worse than any rounds before them due to the tension and pressure I put in myself. This is all behind me, a few butterflies maybe but at the end of the day it's another round of golf with my pals. If it all goes wrong the worst thing is 0,1 on the hcp. At least we will have a giggle in the way round. Go out and enjoy it, learn from and get on the next one!