I thought I'd share some insights on tournament golf, even though I'm not a PGA TOUR pro. My experience includes several tournament rounds, and I'd like to offer advice that I wish I had received when I started playing competitively. Hopefully, these tips can help you perform better on the course. So, let's dive into today's topic: key steps to improving your tournament golf game.

1. Understanding Your Game and Your Numbers

When I first ventured into competitive golf, I felt somewhat lost. I'd sign up for tournaments and hope for the best, lacking a clear strategy or understanding of how to adapt my game to the golf course.

It wasn't until about two years ago that I began keeping track of my own statistics, thanks to discovering Arccos. I want to clarify that this isn't a sponsored endorsement; I genuinely find their system incredibly valuable. It has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of my game, from club distances to various statistics, even some I might never use. Once I started analyzing this data, my practice sessions became more focused and productive.

If you're not tracking your stats, you'll miss out on vital insights into your game. I highly recommend that all tournament players, and even non tournament players, consider using a tool like Arccos to monitor their statistics throughout the season. This technology can be immensely helpful in planning your practice sessions effectively. Often, our perceptions of our strengths and weaknesses are skewed, but Arccos makes it crystal clear where you need improvement.

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In my opinion, this investment in your golf game is more valuable than splurging on a new set of irons or the latest driver. Arccos provides you with real, concrete data on EVERY aspect of your game, making it an essential tool for any serious player.

2. Making a Base Plan Through Research

Before participating in any significant tournaments, I make it a point to conduct thorough research on the golf course. My toolkit includes resources like Google Earth, Arccos Caddie Preview, past tournament scores and analyses, and any other available information.

When using Google Earth, I find the measurement tool particularly valuable for determining the width of my landing zones off the tee. This helps me make precise club selections so I can pair my shot dispersion with the landing areas to give me the best chance to make par. I also take note of potential trouble areas and hazards to steer clear of. If you'd be interested in a video tutorial on this topic, please let me know in the comments section.

Currently, I'm gearing up for the PNW PGA Section Championship at Tumble Creek later this month. To prepare, I've been compiling hole-by-hole statistics from their most recent high-level tournament. This involved a simple Google search to locate the stats, followed by organizing them into a spreadsheet. This data allows me to pinpoint the challenging holes and assess how the leaders fared compared to the rest of the field. Here's a screenshot to give you an idea.

Once again, if you'd like me to create a video explaining how I obtained this information and how to effectively use it, please leave a comment below!

3. Forget About Birdies, Play for Par

It took me a considerable amount of time to fully embrace this concept. I used to believe that winning a tournament required making a plethora of birdies. While it's true that birdies are essential, they won't do much good if you're offsetting them with numerous bogeys, double bogeys, or worse...

Consider this eye-opening statistic I stumbled upon from a fantastic stats enthusiast on Twitter, Lou Stagner:

Average birdies per round:

Scratch players: 2.2

20-handicap players: 0.3

Impressive, isn't it? Whenever I come across this stat, I'm truly astounded. It makes you think. Do tournament champions consistently rack up more birdies than everyone else? Perhaps, but sometimes they simply accumulate more pars while their competitors struggle with bogeys or worse. For players who aren’t single digit handicaps, I would argue you’re better off taking the pressure of yourselves and start playing for bogey. Pars will happen.

4. Don’t Chase Perfection During The Warmup

I can't stress enough how many times I've gone through my warmup routine before a tournament's first round, only to hit the ball horribly. The immediate inclination is to attempt a quick fix. However, let me share this wisdom from personal experience: it's too late to tinker with your swing at that point.

Instead, you should acknowledge it and move forward.

Embrace what you have on that particular day and make it work. Your primary goal is to get the ball in the hole, and nobody cares about aesthetics.

Trying to overhaul your swing right before the tournament begins will likely only exacerbate the situation.

5. Focus on Process and Routine

I vividly recall my first USGA Qualifier experience in Park City, Utah. The course sat at a lofty 8,000 feet in elevation and still stands as the only place where I've ever sent a 9-iron flying 200 yards. Admittedly, it was a downwind and downhill shot, but it made me feel like a golfing powerhouse, nonetheless.

What's etched in my memory, though, is that first tee shot. It was a downhill, par 4 hole tucked into a canyon-like layout. At first glance, it seemed like there was little margin for error off the tee. In my youthful exuberance, I chose my driver and unleashed it...

The ball did indeed fly, but not where I wanted it to. It veered sharply to the right, and my next shot required taking an unplayable lie because I found myself stuck behind a rock and in front of a thorny bush – no room to make a swing.

As you can imagine, my scorecard wasn't looking great...

All of this could have been avoided if I had developed a solid pre-shot routine to help me gauge my self-awareness and select the appropriate shot for that moment. I was nervous, never felt comfortable over the ball, yet I still took the shot. Since then, I've dedicated myself to refining my pre-shot routine to make better decisions and enhance my tournament performance.

A reliable pre-shot routine should serve to separate your logical left brain from your creative right brain. The left brain is your logical side and is incredibly potent when used appropriately. It should predominantly come into play during the decision-making phase of your pre-shot routine before you address the ball and never when you are actually making your swing.

To assist you in developing a sound pre-shot routine, I've created a chart that can provide valuable guidance.

In Conclusion

In closing, I hope these insights into tournament golf and the key steps to improve your game have been valuable to you. While I may not be a PGA TOUR pro, I've gathered practical knowledge from my own experiences on the course. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, these tips can help you navigate the world of competitive golf with greater confidence.

Remember, understanding your game, conducting thorough research, focusing on your process and routine, and acknowledging the importance of sound decision-making are all crucial elements in becoming a better tournament player. So, take these lessons to heart, put in the practice, and watch your tournament performance soar to new heights.

As you continue on your golfing journey, stay dedicated to honing your skills and embracing the challenges that each round presents. Golf is not only a game of skill but also a test of mental fortitude, and with the right mindset and approach, you can achieve your goals on the course.

Wishing you success and enjoyment in your tournament endeavors, and may each swing bring you closer to your golfing aspirations.

Questions from my Wife Who Doesn’t Golf

👩 Wife: When do you know you’re ready for tournament golf?

🏌️‍♂️ Me: Frankly, once you've got a solid handicap under your belt, you're good to dip your toes into the tournament waters, whether it's at your friendly neighborhood golf course or your posh Country Club. Tournament golf offers varying levels of competition, but taking that leap can be a game-changer for your golf journey in the long haul!

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