Rick,

Thanks.

Play competitively as much as you can, against the best players that you can. I played in my first state amateur tournament in the late 90's, I think 1997, becuase the then-club champ told me I was good enough to compete at that level. I was about a 5 or 6 handicap and did not see myself in that group, until I heard it from someone else.

I made the cut in the first tournament I played in, and made it a point never to miss one again. I don't always make the cut, but it's helped my game immensely (I now hover between 1 and 3 handicap). I've made more than a few friends in those tournaments, as well.

LOL, same here... my dad loves golf and now that we are more mature (read: don't want to kill each other) I though it would be a good father son bonding thing. I am a pretty good putter (I kill at miniature golf.. except for that damn windmill! :D ) and I can drive a long way... just not in a straight line.

Rick,

I have the same problem playing music, I don't know how to explain it but over the years I developed a method of "not being there" I focus on what I am doing and try to block everyone else out. I also keep repeating in my head "I am doing this because it is fun" ;)

I used to be a nervous wreck before taking the stage for my dance routine. Now, an Inderal and Bio-feedback work wonders!

I used to be a nervous wreck before burnin' would take the stage for his dance routines. Belushi cocktail worked wonders!

:D

A blow job always worked for me. Took my mind off of all the hassles of life, and if she made you a sandwich with a beer afterwards life was good... :)

Thats quality advice !!:D

That's really going to slow the round down. Probably get a penalty for delay on the first tee.

I practiced the self-hypnosis relaxation methods mentioned earlier. Start with your head, then neck, then shoulders, arms.... etc. It does remove tension that you aren't even aware of. It also takes your mind off the game itself so you don't suffer cerebral brain farts and overthink each shot.

I recommend that you get a hard workout in. Play some racquetball or do some kind of sport that will wear you out. The euphoric feeling afterwards will calm you.

You can also get "some" from your wife or significant other to substitute for the workout.

Good luck, David

I find the best thing to calm the nerves in competitive play is to be certain to follow your established pre shot routine. The nerves will go away after a few holes but following the routine is very helpful in staying focused on a competitive attitude. It's only a game, have fun.

I've played golf since I was 9 and for the first 40 years I used to get pissed and throw shlt but it never helped, now I enjoy the game and expect that I will hit some bad shots, like Bob Rotella says, Golf is not a game of perfect.

Interesting that with this attitude my competitive game has actually become better and more consistent. If I do get in trouble I take the shortest safes route back to the short green stuff, sounds simple but it takes discipline to do that all the time.

Your not Kevin Costner and it ain't "Tin Cup"

Thank God I'm not Kevin Costner!!

I have Rotella's book and I liked it alot. I also have read Every shot must have a purpose by Pia Nillson. That's a good read as well.

The good news is that I was hitting the ball very well on the range yesterday, my driver seems to have decided to play nice for now. That gives me some more confidence going into the round. It was very therapeutic to hit 70 or 80 good shots yesterday to erase the memory of the 20 bad shots I hit on Tuesday...

I've seen this hole on TV. Hit the big dog up the chute.

Well, here's the update. I played the qualifying round today. Overall I would give myself about a 5/10 for how I handled the pressure. I had 3-4 holes that hurt me, lost one ball. I was amazed at how much different the game is during a tournament and how mentally exhausting it was to try and play focused golf for that long.

I had some evidence of nerves early, I hit a good drive off the first but 3 putted from 4 feet and took a double bogey (doh). 3 putted from 4 feet!! That's amazing. I seemed to finally settle down on the 3rd hole.

Anyhow, I shot 86 which is about 6 strokes more than what I wanted. Even taking that into account, I am actually pretty happy with how I played. This was my first tournament ever and I feel like I learned a lot about how I deal with pressure. Most of all I proved to myself that I could play tournament golf and not completely blow up. Thanks for all the help guys, the real tournament starts next week. Hopefully I can take what I learned today and play better next week.

Well I'm a little late...right before the tournament hit a few Balls to loosen you up...warm U up...that way the iniatial nervousness has allready been played out..

There is short green stuff out on the course? I will try looking for that stuff next time I play. I take it's better than the weeds and sand I have been play in.

Re: Dealing with nerves?
 

I always do a few shots of Jager.