Before a big round (or any round) advice

[MrC]

Hi all

I am soon to be playing in my first real competition and it got me thinking about preparation.

On the day, I know to arrive early etc and give myself plenty of time. I will also spend time on the putting green. however the two things I am looking for advice are

1. how many range balls would you hit. I am guessing there is a balance between warming up and hitting too many?

2. Also how do you deal with first tee nerves? I am worrying about this so also sorts of negative thoughts

thanks for any help

 

[patricks148]

Hi all

I am soon to be playing in my first real competition and it got me thinking about preparation.

On the day, I know to arrive early etc and give myself plenty of time. I will also spend time on the putting green. however the two things I am looking for advice are

1. how many range balls would you hit. I am guessing there is a balance between warming up and hitting too many?

2. Also how do you deal with first tee nerves? I am worrying about this so also sorts of negative thoughts

thanks for any help

TBH i like to just turn up 5 mins before i tee off, have a couple of putts from 3 feet then straight out... i find i have less expectations that way

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

For me I never hit more than 25 range balls, then 10 minutes on the putting green.

In respect of nerves I just concentrate on getting the ball past the ladies tee.

 

[Norrin Radd]

dont do anything different to normal ,treat it as a knock with your mates.
that way you dont put any pressure on yourself

 

[Slab]

I like to be there early for any game because I would hate being rushed/late and I spend the time between coffee/smokes/putting/catching up with others & a dozen or so balls on the range

As for first tee, its only a big deal if you make it a big deal. Its a certainty that everyone watching has hit many many duff tee shots themselves, just treat it like any other shot

Its just you, the ball & the field

 

[chrisd]

We don't have a range so for me it's some chipping and putting for 20 minutes and a swing with a 5 iron to warm up then off to the tee. Just remember not to try and kill it off the first tee, put yourself in play with an easy swing, and then you're off!

Good luck

 

[MashieNiblick]

A gentle warm up - 25 ball max- hit a few with wedge, mid iron and fairway/driver and some chipping and putting. Don't build it up too much, it will only add to the pressure. For us handicap golfers there are no "big" rounds, just a few hours knocking a ball round a field with some over priced sticks.

 

[Capella]

I feel a lot more secure on the first tee if I do get a decent warm-up, so I try to be there at least 45 minutes before my tee time, better yet a full hour. I always start with putting, then hit a few chips and short pitches onto our practice green. I do a bit of stretching and then hit a small basket of balls (apprx. 25) on the range, going through my bag from short to long. I try to finish with hitting the shot I will hit from the first tee (that's a driver for me on my home course). None of this does have a major impact on how well I play overall. For private rounds I sometimes head straight to the first tee without so much as a putt and a practice swing, and the results are about the same as after a full warm-up, but it helps me to calm my nerves and gives me the feeling that I've done everything I can to prepare.

 

[Hobbit]

dont do anything different to normal ,treat it as a knock with your mates.
that way you dont put any pressure on yourself

Is the right answer, but you have to have the right normal. And that normal is what you make it. Some like 20 mins on the range, whilst others turn up and go straight off.

 

[BrizoH71]

Arrive early, head to the bar for 2 pints and a couple of halves. After that you won't care what happens on the course.

 

[merv79]

Be sure to hit some shots on the range with the same club you will use on 1st tee.

 

[irip]

I have tried to use the range before i start but all i do is worry about the bad shots i hit their and how they may impact my round.
So now for me its a pint and a smoke, just relax have a chat with whoever is around, couple of putts and away i go.
I find the more i think about the round and the longer i warm up for the more pressure i put myself and i play poorly.

Having said that i make sure my bag has everything i need before i leave home, nothing worse than standing on the first green and trying to find a marker and everyone else waiting for you

 

[bobmac]

On the first tee, hit a club you are confident with. There's no point in hitting driver if you dont hit it well. Better off with a rescue or a 5 iron

 

[louise_a]

Just a few putts to see how the greens are running and then a few swings to loosen up for me. Last time I went to the practice net before a round I started double bogey, quadruple bogey!

 

[trevor]

On the first tee concentrate on the ball, if your still aware of people watching you your not concentrating on the ball hard enough.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Don't do anything vastly different beforehand, leave all expectation of score in the car and play sensible golf. And enjoy it - remember you could be at work.

 

[RustyTom]

I don't get the chance to arrive early so I just hit 5 or shots on the Chipping green, same with the putting green then tee off.

Just treat the first tee as any other, don't over complicate it and just take an easy swing. Everyone on the tee has been in your position before and knows what it's like

 

[hines57]

don't rush, hit as few balls as necessary to warm up (it's not practice at this point), spend some time getting the speed of the greens and then take a few deep breaths and relax - and treat it like any other round of golf!!