Competition Procedure

[Basher]

Right then chaps.

As some of you know I plan to take my first tentative steps towards entering competitions at my club next season.

Having never done anything like this before I wondered if there was any procedure to be followed. Not wishing to look a total novice I would prefer to get on the course for the comp without having to ask the first person I see "What do I do?"

I appreciate clubs will have different ways of running competitions but imagine they follow a similar format.

The main things I would like to know are the procedures to follow when arriving at the club for the competition up to stepping onto the first tee. (Yes, I can imagine my kneecaps will be dancing the Tango with nervousness!!!)

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

 

[DCB]

Big step but it will be worth it.

You will probably have to sign in at the starter/pro shop if it is a proper comp. Be early, give yourself a bit of time to watch what other groups do as they set off. If you're nervous don't go for driver, try a 3wood or hybrid just to get the ball away and onto the fairway. Play your own game, don't try and match the others in your group.

Most of all, enjoy it.

 

[Slaighty]

Get to course 90 minutes before tee off, sign in, show handicap cert if required, get changed into playing gear, onto range if they have one, show up at tee 10 minutes before your tee time, off you go. Plenty of friendly helpful people to assist usually

 

[Canfordhacker]

The other main thing to ensure you do is fill in the relevant detail on your scorecard - name, date, time and most importantly handicap before you swap cards. Don't be afraid to ask your partner how he is writing score down - it varies depending on Stableford or medal. Even if you just record his gross score per hole you won't go far wrong.

Then play your own game, observe the etiquette and enjoy. You'll wonder why you waited so long!

Good luck.

 

[brendy]

Dont forget to eat something before setting off, nothing worse than a nervous empty stomach.
For some reason I disappear into the toilets before some of the more important club and inter club competitions, Ive no idea why as im past getting nervous. Playing in the regional comps early on in my golf years sorted that out. Now I think it must be some sort of subsconscious quiet place and moment to myself then walk out and thump a driver up the middle (where permitted!)

 

[Slaighty]

DCB is spot on about being nervous, probably be the most nerve wracking shot you've ever hit. Even if it means using an iron, keep it in the fairway so you are away from all the folks around the 1st tee

 

[MVP]

What i used to do back in the day of nerves. I used to tee the ball higher because for me , my nervous shot would be to thin it so i started teeing high to reduce the thin. It worked!! because i wasnt af4raid of thinning it anymore i didnt need to even bother and never got nervous again ish.

 

[Dave3498]

Don't be afraid to ask your playing partners about the procedure for filling in the card details. It's best to tell them that you are in your first competition.

If you are playing a Stableford and you can't score on a hole, pick you ball up. Don't putt out quadruple bogeys.

If you are in a Medal, you must complete the course, so if you think your ball is likely lost or out-of-bounds,then take a provisional, but don't forget to declare it as a provisional. It's not good enough to say 'I'll play another' because that then becomes your ball in play and you can't then play your first ball if you find it in play.

Don't worry about messing up any part of your game, including the first tee shot. We all started at the beginning, and if you are playing with any sort of gentlemen, then they will understand.

Good luck.

 

[mass]

All the good points are covered, one for me is play your own game, play the course not the guy(s) your playing with if it is a medal.

 

[viscount17]

My first competition was not very long ago, so recent that I haven't played the second yet.

Most has been said:

if in doubt ask,

give yourself time to hit a few on the range and putting green - you may not hit/putt well but that's not the point

don't forget you have to record two scores, yours (Marker) and your opponents (Player A) before either of you tee off on the next hole (just don't stand on the green to do it).

just to make it harder you also have to be observant. you should know how many he's taken not just ask him, that will be hard first time out; even harder if you disagree. 99.999% of golfers are honest, but there's always one and it's the other players in the competition you have to consider.

Oh, and most important - enjoy it

 

[Basher]

Thanks for response fellas. Some very good points raised.
I imagine once your 1st tee shot is over and done with it's "pressure off" and try to enjoy the round.

Is it better to sign in and collect your card as soon as you get there? (1hr - 90 mins before teetime)

I would probably wander off down to the practise area and have a quick practise, followed by a short putting session then get to the 1st tee approx 15 - 20 mins before teeing off. That way I would hopefully meet my partner, break the ice with a natter (Informing him I'm a newbie) then take it from there.
I think it would be much better to get to know my partner rather than chatting on the fairway after the 1st drive.

 

[MVP]

Thanks for response fellas. Some very good points raised.
I imagine once your 1st tee shot is over and done with it's "pressure off" and try to enjoy the round.

Is it better to sign in and collect your card as soon as you get there? (1hr - 90 mins before teetime)

I would probably wander off down to the practise area and have a quick practise, followed by a short putting session then get to the 1st tee approx 15 - 20 mins before teeing off. That way I would hopefully meet my partner, break the ice with a natter (Informing him I'm a newbie) then take it from there.
I think it would be much better to get to know my partner rather than chatting on the fairway after the 1st drive.

You got the idea mate.

 

[billyg]

Whatever you do make sure you give us a full de-briefing on your return if possible. I could well find myself in your shoes at some point this year

Oh...and the best of luck

 

[MVP]

Whatever you do make sure you give us a full de-briefing on your return if possible. I could well find myself in your shoes at some point this year

Oh...and the best of luck

Yeah well said GOOD LUCK!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The only thing I would warn against is actually getting to the tee 15-20 minutes early. This means your body will start to warm down after hitting balls on the practice green.

More importantly however it will give you TOO much time to hang about. You will subconsciously start to think about everything (especially if you watch others teeing off). It will put the seeds of doubt in your mind and you want to walk onto that first tee fresh alert and in control.

Whatever happens though enjoy it.

 

[madandra]

Or you can do this






Turn up 2 minutes before your tee time in jeans and a sweaty vest. Howk the jeans up to hide the brickies cleavage.

Appear on the tee finishing off the can of lager you bought at the bar as your 'curer'

After the introductions keep just calling them Jim.

Piss against the tee marker.

When looking at the card you are marking, try saying 'YOUR OFF 24? YOU SHOULD TRY BOWLS'

Say 'GOOD SHOT' followed by 'RELOAD' when they knock it OB.

Burst a bag of crisps open when your partner is putting for birdie.

Talk on the mobile when they are teeing off.

Shout across the fairway to your mate that his shot was S**t* and he is a W****r.

Ask your partner if his driver got cought on the hem of his skirt when his drive only went 200 yds.

No matter what you score, tell your marker it was a par.

Brag about custom fitting and avoid their negative comments asking if Pinseeker do custom fit.

Remember that if you hit it in the trees and, when asked what ball you were playing say ... a white one !!!

After finishing the round say 'thank F*** thats over'

You could say'CAN I BORROW YOUR PENCIL, MINE HAS RUN OUT OF LEAD FILLING HIS SCORECARD'

Do these things and you will blend in perfectly on a Muni golf course.

 

[MVP]

Or you can do this






Turn up 2 minutes before your tee time in jeans and a sweaty vest. Howk the jeans up to hide the brickies cleavage.

Appear on the tee finishing off the can of lager you bought at the bar as your 'curer'

After the introductions keep just calling them Jim.

Piss against the tee marker.

When looking at the card you are marking, try saying 'YOUR OFF 24? YOU SHOULD TRY BOWLS'

Say 'GOOD SHOT' followed by 'RELOAD' when they knock it OB.

Burst a bag of crisps open when your partner is putting for birdie.

Talk on the mobile when they are teeing off.

Shout across the fairway to your mate that his shot was S**t* and he is a W****r.

Ask your partner if his driver got cought on the hem of his skirt when his drive only went 200 yds.

No matter what you score, tell your marker it was a par.

Brag about custom fitting and avoid their negative comments asking if Pinseeker do custom fit.

Remember that if you hit it in the trees and, when asked what ball you were playing say ... a white one !!!

After finishing the round say 'thank F*** thats over'

You could say'CAN I BORROW YOUR PENCIL, MINE HAS RUN OUT OF LEAD FILLING HIS SCORECARD'

Do these things and you will blend in perfectly on a Muni golf course.

Id see this as highly inappropriate. A can of lager is by far not strong enough for what your going to be up against. get on the jamesons as soon as you get out of bed!

 

[TonyN]

Just had a good trundle through this, Firstly Good post, i too maybe in this situation this year and secondly, madandra that was hilarious, kept thinking of a mate of mine who play's with argos clubs on his local muni haha.