Preparation for a Tournament....
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Matt Taylor
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I like to practice my routine before a tournament -- not allowing time for second guessing, etc.
I really don't change that much. I just make sure I'm comfortable with my pattern and make sure any tendencies that are showing through at the moment are kept in check. Other than that, I try not to get too stressed out before a tournament.
This was probably easier for me that most people, because I'd played high school golf in the spring before my summer tournaments. I was playing under tournament rules and such the entire spring, so once the qualifier for the State Amateur or whatever rolled around it was only a few weeks after our high school season ended. It was nothing out of the ordinary for me. So far I'm 2/2 on my State Am qualification attempts, so hopefully this summer it'll be 3/3. But I can tell you that I saw so many supposedly good players just play terribly at these qualifiers. Guys who can shoot a low/mid 70s number at their home club on a Saturday morning are shooting 85 in real tournament situations. It's just a case of not being tuned up for tournament play. Like I said, I had the advantage of having competed all spring when other people are playing their first (and only) tournament round for the season. It's very hard to play that way.
Anyhow, if you haven't been competing lately, go out and play some rounds before the tourney and force yourself to play 100% tournament rules/conditions. Get yourself used to it. Also, don't overthink things when it comes to tournament day - just go about your business as usual. Don't overanalyze course management just because it's a tourney. Of course, have some ideas on how to play certain holes but don't make it too detailed. Let it flow with the day.
This was probably easier for me that most people, because I'd played high school golf in the spring before my summer tournaments. I was playing under tournament rules and such the entire spring, so once the qualifier for the State Amateur or whatever rolled around it was only a few weeks after our high school season ended. It was nothing out of the ordinary for me. So far I'm 2/2 on my State Am qualification attempts, so hopefully this summer it'll be 3/3. But I can tell you that I saw so many supposedly good players just play terribly at these qualifiers. Guys who can shoot a low/mid 70s number at their home club on a Saturday morning are shooting 85 in real tournament situations. It's just a case of not being tuned up for tournament play. Like I said, I had the advantage of having competed all spring when other people are playing their first (and only) tournament round for the season. It's very hard to play that way.
Anyhow, if you haven't been competing lately, go out and play some rounds before the tourney and force yourself to play 100% tournament rules/conditions. Get yourself used to it. Also, don't overthink things when it comes to tournament day - just go about your business as usual. Don't overanalyze course management just because it's a tourney. Of course, have some ideas on how to play certain holes but don't make it too detailed. Let it flow with the day.
Brian Manzella
Administrator
The ONLY preparation for Tournament play.....
Tournament play.
Tournament play.
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