• We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas from all at Golf Monthly. Thank you for sharing your 2025 with us!

White Tee Fear

Hi I've entered my first comp and now fearing the extra distance going from the yellow to white tees is going to do to my mental state lol

I play off 28 and my 2 main fears are playing with someone who won't be that understanding that it's my first comp and also the fact that my course has a few holes that if your drive isn't long enough it can end in a ditch! I'm really looking forward to the comp and know 99% of my fears are silly but how did people find their first comp?

The more you do it (anything) the easier it gets!


Use the fear young padewan
 
As an aging golfer who seems to be getting shorter by the week,I try to imagine all holes as one more than the par!
This ,for me, puts into perspective my actual ability to score, not what the card tells me I should score.
I was 9 h/p for 20 years at my club and as my golf started to go south and my h/c north, it was a hard mental challenge to actually recognise my ability had changed forever.
I now play off 18 and have almost conquered getting club selection right for where I am now, not what I was some years back.
You Jon ,are at the start of you golf and will soon find improvement if you do not get ahead of yourself,as said above use your shots to try and score what is possible for your skill level and enjoy your golf.
Best of luck
Dewsweeper
 
you'll be fine, its just that 1st tee nerves most of us get, some deep breathes and get it away on 1st then just play your normal game.
If the ditches are in reach then think about laying up and using your shots.
I would also drop in the conversation to your playing partners its your 1st comp and they will help you along the way, keeping you encouraged and relaxed.
Most of all enjoy :)
 
We've all been there. Just enjoy it. I topped my tee shot in my first qualifier and made a 10 or 11 on our par 4 SI 17 opening hole!!
We play off the whites all summer (except for 1 or 2 comps that are played off the yellows)
Practice off the whites if you can and good luck.
 
Good luck and just tell your playing partners it's your first comp, I'm sure they'll be fine. Also if unsure on any ruling just ask before you do anything and if the ball goes off somewhere it shouldn't play a provisional!
 
Top