First Comp - Advice Wanted

Vardon11LDN

Vardon11LDN

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I am entering my first “proper” comp at the end of the month. While I am confident that the golf will take care of itself I do not want to make a rookie error on etiquette or rules. I think I am pretty well versed in rules and etiquette but I really don’t want to faux pas. There are loads of experienced guys (and girls) on here and I was wondering what are the most common mistakes that newbies make in their first comps? I am obviously keen to avoid these.
 
Be ready to play
Be considerate when others are playing (tee to green & those on other holes)
Be aware of your surroundings
Be good company to be with
Leave the course in as good or better condition than you found it


Relax as best you can and enjoy it, its supposed to be fun
 
Make sure your handicap is on your card. Sign the card you are marking and sign your own card.
Let them know it's your first comp and ask them to let you know if you have made an error.
 
as Ross61 said, let them know it is your first comp and that your new to it, they will help you along. I played my first comp in nov last year and the guys I played with helped me no end.

Also try not to let nerves get to you! I've only played 2 comps now and on the first tee in both comps my drive was hooked 50 yards. I then had to play a provisional with a crowd watching and who had seen what I just did! My legs were shaking on the provisional haha. Luckily I bombed it straight down the middle. Even more lucky was I found my first in a clearing and was able to get it out to 50 yards from the green. I seem to hit my first drive terribly and then calm down!
 
Grieve14 said:
as Ross61 said, let them know it is your first comp and that your new to it, they will help you along. I played my first comp in nov last year and the guys I played with helped me no end.

Also try not to let nerves get to you! I've only played 2 comps now and on the first tee in both comps my drive was hooked 50 yards. I then had to play a provisional with a crowd watching and who had seen what I just did! My legs were shaking on the provisional haha. Luckily I bombed it straight down the middle. Even more lucky was I found my first in a clearing and was able to get it out to 50 yards from the green. I seem to hit my first drive terribly and then calm down!
Click to expand...

Ha Ha I am not nervous at all now!:)
 
I'm playing my first comp on Sat but luckily (maybe) I'm playing with 3 mates as we have all joined at the same time. Really looking forward to competitive golf but haven't played in a while. 1st tee nerves will be kicking in I guess just hope I can get my drive away.
 
On the scorecard, note down your own scores (there's normally a column on the far left for that) then before you sign your card you can check your marker has written down the correct scores
 
My first comp nervous as anything, only went and won captains day and got my name on the board.
warm up, get there early, get on putting green, if possible drive off first so your not waiting and getting nervous. Observe the others in and around the green.

PS, not everyone is perfect, finally enjoy it.
 
Grieve14 said:
My legs were shaking on the provisional haha. Luckily I bombed it straight down the middle. Even more lucky was I found my first in a clearing and was able to get it out to 50 yards from the green. I seem to hit my first drive terribly and then calm down!
Click to expand...
In one of my very first comps I had a small gallery on the first and was bricking myself. My drive hit the clubhouse and ricocheted several times then I followed up with two air shots. My playing partner walked over and said quietly "For ***** sake, calm down!"
I finally hit my next shot clean down the fairway to a round of applause and cheers.
Nobody enjoys seeing someone feel foolish so just try and enjoy the game.
It still took me several holes to relax though.

On the subject of provisional balls I wish makers would sell boxes of them - they always fly longer and straighter! :D
 
I wouldnt worry about the rules too much.
Like most people - its the bloody scorecards. My junior club (Doncaster GC) were some of the harshest B*****ds I have ever seen. Literally ridiculous.

Make sure its in pencil since I had a friend fill it out in blue pen and it was disallowed.
Make sure handicap and strokes received are in the right section blah blah blah.

Make sure you hit your first tee shot as hard as you can too.
 
Marshy77 said:
I'm playing my first comp on Sat but luckily (maybe) I'm playing with 3 mates as we have all joined at the same time. Really looking forward to competitive golf but haven't played in a while. 1st tee nerves will be kicking in I guess just hope I can get my drive away.
Click to expand...


I'm not for one moment questioning you playing with 3 mates in a comp, having all recently joined, but I will question your comp organisers for allowing it as it potentially places you in a very awkward position.

We had a situation at ours last year where two 28 handicappers, both new to the club, were allowed out as a 2 ball in a comp. I will say at the outset that we do not allow 2 balls in comps, but somehow they slipped through the net.

It was a stableford, one came in with a score in the mid 40's to win, the second was also in the prizes. Now I know for a fact that at our par 4 16th both took provisionals off the tee (there is water in front of the tee) and yet one signed for a par, the other a bogey. I cannot say for sure that those scores weren't honest, but I have huge doubts having seen the drives both head towards water.

Suffice to say it caused an absolute stink. There were accusations flying around left, right and centre and neither guy has been seen since. I know several members spoke with the comp secretary to raise concerns and he said the result was "under review" - difficult when the result had already been published, but there you go.

My point here is that these fellas should never have been allowed out as a 2 ball in what looked very much like their first comp. They were mates, clearly new to the game, and really needed to be accompanied by someone who had been around the block and knew the rules - to protect them as much as anything else.

So be warned!! Enjoy your day, but if two or three of you come in with stellar scores don't be surprised if you get some accusatory stares.
 
Vardon11LDN said:
I am entering my first “proper” comp at the end of the month. While I am confident that the golf will take care of itself I do not want to make a rookie error on etiquette or rules. I think I am pretty well versed in rules and etiquette but I really don’t want to faux pas. There are loads of experienced guys (and girls) on here and I was wondering what are the most common mistakes that newbies make in their first comps? I am obviously keen to avoid these.
Click to expand...

The most common mistake is forgetting to enjoy yourself. :)
 
You'll probably cack yourself beforehand, on the first tee and for the opening few holes. Hopefully you won't get paired with any bell ends and by the end of the round you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Have a good one mate.
 
bobmac said:
:confused: Really ?
Click to expand...

Yup. Also had one disallowed for having my handicap wrong by .1 (didnt effect the strokes though that was correct) and the most ridiculous was I qualified for a final but it was I was on Holiday. I informed the pro about a month in advance that I couldnt attend. I came back off holiday to a letter saying I had been banned for 3 or 4 months from all competitions as I should have written a formal letter to some Honcho at the club......

They really disliked Juniors. Baring in mind this was only about 10 years ago when I was 15.
 
Vardon11LDN said:
I am entering my first “proper” comp at the end of the month. While I am confident that the golf will take care of itself I do not want to make a rookie error on etiquette or rules. I think I am pretty well versed in rules and etiquette but I really don’t want to faux pas. There are loads of experienced guys (and girls) on here and I was wondering what are the most common mistakes that newbies make in their first comps? I am obviously keen to avoid these.
Click to expand...

This to me is the most simple rule book and one that IMO everyone should have in their bag.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/141895301905
 
Billysboots said:
I'm not for one moment questioning you playing with 3 mates in a comp, having all recently joined, but I will question your comp organisers for allowing it as it potentially places you in a very awkward position.

We had a situation at ours last year where two 28 handicappers, both new to the club, were allowed out as a 2 ball in a comp. I will say at the outset that we do not allow 2 balls in comps, but somehow they slipped through the net.

It was a stableford, one came in with a score in the mid 40's to win, the second was also in the prizes. Now I know for a fact that at our par 4 16th both took provisionals off the tee (there is water in front of the tee) and yet one signed for a par, the other a bogey. I cannot say for sure that those scores weren't honest, but I have huge doubts having seen the drives both head towards water.

Suffice to say it caused an absolute stink. There were accusations flying around left, right and centre and neither guy has been seen since. I know several members spoke with the comp secretary to raise concerns and he said the result was "under review" - difficult when the result had already been published, but there you go.

My point here is that these fellas should never have been allowed out as a 2 ball in what looked very much like their first comp. They were mates, clearly new to the game, and really needed to be accompanied by someone who had been around the block and knew the rules - to protect them as much as anything else.

So be warned!! Enjoy your day, but if two or three of you come in with stellar scores don't be surprised if you get some accusatory stares.
Click to expand...

Yes can understand that, tbh it's all (I think) our first comps and just looking to get out at our new club. I very much doubt any of us will be in with a shout but you never know.
 
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