Preparing for Battle....

[alan32195]

I am playing in my first ‘Club Major’ on Saturday and would like to know how other’s prepare for their ‘big events’.

I have played in numerous weekly medals and stableford comps over the last year but as my club does not draw these competitions I have gone round in my normal 3/4 ball.

The last time I played in a drawn comp was the back end of last summer. Once the usual greetings on the tee with my playing partners was over and done with I was standing over the ball feeling like it was the first time I had ever picked up a club. As you can probably guess first tee nerves got the better of me and I topped my tee shot short of the fairway and then topped my 2nd a further 40 yards.

Come Saturday I will no doubt be looking to get off to a flier but was looking for some sort of routine I can use to help with the first tee nerves! Maybe ¾ swing should be enough to settle me down or given I am in the 2nd from last group maybe I will have time for 40 balls on the range to get the bad shots out of the way...

 

[Fyldewhite]

Take your time and take a club you are comfortable hitting. Being nervous isn't a problem, it's the way you are supposed to feel in a big event and everyone will be the same. Number one priority is to get the ball in play and a bogey or even a double can be a decent start off 18. Play yourself into the round on the first couple of holes and not out of it by attempting an unrealistic recovery if you do hit a bad one.

 

[drawboy]

Do not treat it any differently to any other game or you will guarantee a blow up. Take it as it comes, it may be your day, it may not but one thing is for certain, if you try to prepare for it disaster is on the horizon.

 

[JustOne]

I wouldn't go on the range unless you normally do, maybe a few putts to make sure they didn't rebuild the green over night. Apart from that it shouldn't matter who you are playing with... head down, focus on your own game and try not to slow up play

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I always hit some balls to warm up but try to focus more on a good tempo than any mechanical swing thoughts. Have a few swings, a few chips and a few putts to gauge the speed of the green and relax. Everyone gets nervous. Pick the club you feel comfortable with, pick a target and trust.

 

[alan32195]

Thanks Guys, some good advice there.

I will let you know how it goes...