preparing to play

[jeffc]

Just wondered what people do to prepare before playing.

I am finding it takes me 2 -3 holes to settle down and hit the ball like I know I can by which time I can have racked up anything from 15 to 25 on my scorecard urrgh.

Does anyone else suffer the same and maybe practise before playing say with 25 - 50 balls on the range?
I already just have 10- 15 mins putting practise and do some stretching but when I get on the first tee I seem so wound up I just can't hit the ball. God knows what I will be like in a comp.

 

[Doh]

Warming up is very important i tend to hit a few wedges,mid irons then driver. Some people will rehearse with the clubs they will play the first hole with Driver mid iron whatever it is.

Sounds like you need a pre-shot routine to go though this will stop you getteing so wound up and concentrate your mind.

Even so it takes a while to get into the pace of the game, dont expect to much from your self.tension will kill your game so learning to relax is imortant.

Think to yourself that your running a marathon not a sprint race.

 

[Macster]

I think it just comes as you get better and more confident etc, but undoubtably, warming up and hitting some shots on the practise ground can help.

I used to get quite nervous on the 1st Tee, full of expectation and worry about where the hell it was going to end up etc, but now i'm more often than not on the fairway, not so anxious etc.

To really improve, you really should practise more than you play, but in the real world, how many of us do that ?!

Warm up, take an iron, get it in play, and get your round off to a safe start.
Should help a little.

 

[markwarne]

Luckily for me, i have a bit of time on my side before I go to play (v.understanding HID!)

My pre game involves a trip to the driving range to hit 20 or so balls with the 5 & 3 woods as well as the driver. Then I will head to the golf club and take some irons on the practice ground.

Once on the first tee however, the whole plan turns to rat **** as I send the 5 wood on a merry trip into the fluffy stuff. After that it takes 3 / 4 holes to get into the swing of things - after which there is usually a 15-20 on the card. This is the bit I find most annoying - you warm up, practice and 5 mins later, you are playing like you may have as well not bothered.

Driving range and practice ground are clearly different from the course.

How do others make that mental transition, cos I know I struggle?

 

[viscount17]

my first is a big dog-leg right, round a lake, plenty of room for error as it is further to the corner than you think, as many a society has discovered.

however, prior to my first medal, I duly hit a few at the range, not too many, and making sure the last was a driver. nicely warmed and loosened, I stood on the tee and fired a huge slice into the wet.

next time and since, no range time beforehand, tee-shot straight as a die and dry.

cracked it? not so, I keep b*****ing the second shot

 

[jeffc]

I find it ineteresting that even after hitting a few balls it can still go pear shaped, It's like you're doing the 100 thoughts leading to overload leading to duff shot.

I started playing again 2 months ago and as I have supposedly improved this has crept in.I am sure it is 90% in the head.
Probably do better if I left the head at home!!

 

[Macster]

In my experience, Driver off the first is NEVER a good idea, it just is too risky.
You want a good one away, so you belt it and land yourself in all kinds of trouble usually.

Our 1st is not too long, but has too much trouble left & right off the tee, so its a 5 wood or long iron to get it away, leaving a 7/8 iron to the green.
Yes, I could try a Driver to leave me a 3/4 PW but what do I gain ?

Like I said, I think its all about nerves, and I've learnt a lot from some of our Juniors in this respect.
They seem to judge their H/C reductions in terms of days or weeks, as they plummet downwards, so they play with more abandon to a certain extent.
After a good front 9, they dont freeze on the back 9 as so many of us do, trying to protect our card, they simply continue to play and let the card tell the tale at the end.

So, start off easy, no disasters on the first few holes, and then just play, one shot at a time, whats the worst that can happen eh ?
Its just a game.....

;-)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I normally get to the club about 75 minutes before my tee time for competitive rounds. I start with a few stretches to loosen up and hit 10 or so balls with a sand wedge just to loosen up. I then hit another 10 or so with a wedge looking to get a nice temp and then move through the bag. I probalby hit about 35-40 balls finishing with a few drivers. This isn't a range session looking to correct any flaws but merely to get a good tempo going and loosen up. If the shots are flying in one direction I accept will be the way they are onthe course and allow accordingly.

I'll then spend 10 minutes or so hitting a variety of chip shots (lobs, pitches, chip and runs etc) and a few bunker shots. Then I'll pop back into the locker room and get myself prepared (tees, pencils, balls etc) and get my card. I've normally got about 10 minutes before I'm due on the tee so I'll go over to the putting green. I'll start with some 10-15 footers to get the pace of the green and then work on holing from 2-4 foot for a bit of confidence. I'm not too fussed if I miss these small ones as long as I've put a good stroke on it (it isn't a practice session just about getting speed and feel). Then its shake hands time and peg it up

 

[Sam]

Preparing (?) to play

1. Arrive 1st tee
2. Take two balls from bag and place in right pocket
3. Take one ball, doesn't matter which, out of right pocket
4. Place on tee
5. Swing big dog round head, discus-thrower style
6. Repeat if not happy
7. Address the ball (again it doesn't matter which)
8. Clobber 300x to middle of fairway

OK, I'm fibbing about the 1st 7

 

[viscount17]

homer, don't know if that's dedication or masochism!

no, sam's nearer my mark though 7 is only necessary if you've put a stamp on it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Just something I've done since my assistant days. Have to clarify I only do this for competitive rounds and if its just a roll up its a few looseners on the tee with a few practice putts first

 

[Herbie]

Just wondered what people do to prepare before playing.

I am finding it takes me 2 -3 holes to settle down and hit the ball like I know I can by which time I can have racked up anything from 15 to 25 on my scorecard urrgh.

Does anyone else suffer the same and maybe practise before playing say with 25 - 50 balls on the range?
I already just have 10- 15 mins putting practise and do some stretching but when I get on the first tee I seem so wound up I just can't hit the ball. God knows what I will be like in a comp.

If its a worth while comp get there early and stretch followed by plenty of practice shots with as many clubs as poss(choose a system of your own) if its just a friendly round or practice round at least warm up with stretches and plenty of swings off the tee. The nerves will always be there but you will learn to cope the more times you compete, if you think yourself into a bad shot chances are you will get it!On the first only think about the best shot you have ever hit down it and imagine it again.

 

[TonyN]

that's a good piece of advise from herb it's pretty much how I try to prepare.

What I try to do now on the first tee imagine my finish position(body not ball) image of me club wrapped around back of head chest out chin up. I then don't get chance to think about the bad shot.