COMMUNITY

Depends on where the course is. For out of state tournaments I always play a practice round or two and take a small notebook.

In the notebook I try to take notes on each hole...what clubs and distances are ideal for my game...lay-up distances...hidden trouble and any notes I can take about and around the green...where are the bunkers...the general slope of the green...where are the trouble spots on the green...etc.

If I am really trying to prepare well for an out of state event I will download the course scorecard and try to practice for certain holes. For instance if the hole has a rather tight par 4 which looks to be critical to scoring well, I will do my best to find a similar hole within driving distance to practice on.

On tournament day I will warm-up on the putting green to get a feel for green speeds, then chip. Move to the practice range and start with pitch shot and work my way to the driver.

Finally right before I tee off I remind myself to smile throughout the round. It psychological for me, but smiling even when you hit a bad shot reduces stress.

I have played in a tournament with my dad the last 3 years. for about a month I work alot on the range. play some (not the course I will be playing with him) The day before the 3 day tournament we play a round on the turnament course. one the days we play I get to the range 90 minutes before the round hit some balls for about 30 to 40 minutes, go work on my putting, They have a chipping green work on that. Go back and try and hit 5 to 10 balls with driver just before we go to our first hole. shotgun start.

1) Practice round

2) re-look at the course layout several times

3) Day of tournament --16oz Sugar free RedBull to keep me FOCUSED.

4) Go out to Win with no mercy (never have understood fearing Tiger during a round)

5) Accept the results but look for next opportunity to kick some a$$ at next tournament if I don't win.

Driven to Succeed!!!

Like Frankie goes to Hollywood says: RELAX!!!!!!!!!!
It's all between your ears bud and the first step to preparing for a tournament is to learn to truly accept the outcome of each and every shot. The only thing you can control is the next shot. I really like Connor's advice...smile, even after a bad one!

1. Practice atleast one hour per day for the two weeks prior to the tournament.
2. Play atleast one practice round within two days of the tournament.
3. Practice atleast one hour on the putting green on the days of my practice round and tournament. This helps me transition from the speed of the greens at my home course to the speed of the tournaments greens.
4. Hit a few chip and pitch shots on the practice green just to see how the ball will react when it hits the green.

PREPARE - Playing and studying the course. Practicing the shots you have to make (even if it's on the range). Working on the weakest parts of my game the most.

RELAX - I want my warm up on the day of the tournament to be unhurried and relaxing. I'll get there 90 minutes before tee time. You never know whether your warm up will go smooth or have some kinks. Better to leave time to get grooved.

ENJOY - I do this for fun, and your attitude in the final analysis is what is going to determine whether this was a good day or not. At the end of the day whether I win or lose won't change my life . . . not even a little. So have fun. It's why I'm out here.