Ethan
Money List Winner
Just go and play golf. Be courteous to your playing partners and don't worry about it. Everybody has to start sometime. Experienced people don't know all the rules even when they think they do.
First Comp - Advice Wanted
- Thread starter Vardon11LDN
- Start date
Just go and play golf. Be courteous to your playing partners and don't worry about it. Everybody has to start sometime. Experienced people don't know all the rules even when they think they do.
njrose51
Challenge Tour Pro
Arrive early - relax, warm up and practise. Nothing worse than dashing onto the first tee stressed and late!
If in doubt about a rule, ask.
Certainly tell your playing partners about first time etc
If first tee nerves are a real issue, take an easier club that you know you can hit well and into the middle of the fairway - 5 or 4 iron normally works for me.
If in doubt about whether your ball is lost, take a provisional.
Trust your game and play each shot as it comes.
Have fun and enjoy it
If in doubt about a rule, ask.
Certainly tell your playing partners about first time etc
If first tee nerves are a real issue, take an easier club that you know you can hit well and into the middle of the fairway - 5 or 4 iron normally works for me.
If in doubt about whether your ball is lost, take a provisional.
Trust your game and play each shot as it comes.
Have fun and enjoy it
DCB
Well-known member
Go out there and enjoy yourself, it's just another game of golf. It'll take care of itself as you play your way round.
Grieve14
Head Pro
Old Skier
Tour Winner
Golf speak for bacon roll and pint. Enjoy.
Got it from the Hive!
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
You're a virgin until you're not. Just enjoy it for what it is - the first time - even though at times it might be a little painful it'll be easier and more fun the second time, and soon you'll just be loving it and wondering what all the fuss was about 
davidy233
Tour Rookie
Do exactly what you'd do if you were playing with your mates - it's just a round of golf.
Matty6
Challenge Tour Pro
I've got my first proper comp later this month. Pretty nervous about it too. My main concern is holding up my PP's. Whether that's by losing balls, or by taking lots of shots to complete a hole. Quick question, are you allowed to play a provisional even if you only have the slightest doubt you may not find your ball? Also, is there a limit to how many provisional's you can play on a hole?
Ross61
Challenge Tour Pro
If the comp is Stableford you pick up your ball after you can no longer score any points on that hole so as to not slow anyone down. If it is a medal ( strokeplay ) you must finish every hole as every shot counts. Do not try to rush your shots to keep up the pace of play as more than likely you will play another poor shot making matters worse.
You can play a provisional whenever you think appropriate but you MUST declare that is what you are doing. Then you play the provisional until the point where you believe your original ball might be.
Matty6
Challenge Tour Pro
Thanks for that, very helpful indeed.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Don't worry about taking lots of shots and don't start rushing shots if things aren't going well on a hole. And don't start apologising to your PPs every time something goes wrong or if you think you are taking too long - that mindset will only make things go worse.
When it's stableford and things have gone real bad on a hole - consider picking up, but don't worry about playing on as long as you don't, as a result, hold everyone up. Try to not take too long over your shot and your prep for a shot - lots of 'in head' debating and practice swings for each shot may well start to irk - and usually don't help you that much - if at all. Just try and get on with it. If things aren't going well it's very easy to start checking and rechecking such as grip, stance, alignment - and, if you have had lessons, getting bogged down in trying to meticulously repeat everything you've been taught on the practice ground - that can just take a lot of time.
So just go out and enjoy yourself. Competition golf is really good fun - but you must let yourself enjoy it.
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HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Some I think most have covered it on here. Mention to the PP's, and my only advice would be ask before you do anything regarding the rules. Other than that simply go out and enjoy it. Nerves are to be expected by don't let it impact your game (ok maybe the first tee shot) and just go out and have fun
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
And if, when you ask your marker to go through your gross scores hole by hole, he says "we agree on the points tally so its all OK" as happened to me in our last comp, try to stay calm and ask him to humour you
sawtooth
Tour Winner
Have a look here , quick guide to Etiquette and rules. It's always good to know the basic and common rules like what to do when you have unplayable lie, or difference between red and yellow stakes, etc
http://www.randa.org/RulesEquipment/Rules/QuickGuide/Start
http://www.randa.org/RulesEquipment/Rules/QuickGuide/Start
Don't fart just before somebody takes a shot. It's very funny, but can be frowned upon
The most common mistake is forgetting to enjoy yourself.
Your right, I have only played in a few, and hated every minute
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
..and if you carry - be aware of the clink, clink. clink your irons will make if you walk whilst a PP is playing or preparing to play.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Ummm, could be a good reason to carry
Anyway, who carries ?
quite a few round our place...me included.
