How to Prepare for a Golf Tournament

A great way to grow your golfing skills and build a network of friends is participating in golf tournaments.  At Eagle Point Golf Club, we host several tournaments for men and women golfers throughout the year.  If you are new to tournaments, you may feel a bit intimidated and unsure how to prepare.  The good news is that there are several strategies you can use to ensure your game is ready for the big day.

Six Tips to Prepare for a Golf Tournament

1. Do your homework.  Before the day of the tournament, it’s essential to take some time to study the course–particularly if you haven’t golfed on the greens before or even if it’s been a while since your last game on that course.  If you have the opportunity, setting up a tee time on the course before the tournament day will help you warm up and familiarize yourself with each of the holes.  However, if that’s not an option, you can also check out the course using Google Earth and measure yardage using its ruler features.  Doing so will help you plan for the types of clubs you’ll use at each hole and what obstacles to expect along the way.
2. Don’t be late.  Running behind on arriving at the tournament will create undue anxiety that hinders your performance.  Plan to arrive early with ample time to hit the registration desk, get your bearings, and ensure all your equipment is ready to go.  Many tournaments will have a warmup range set up to allow you to stretch before the game begins.
3. Get time on the putting green before the game.  The weather will alter the conditions of the grass and soil, which will change the speed of the ball on the greens.  Getting a little practice in before the game begins will provide clues about how you’ll need to putt to get the ride speed and angles.
4. Aim for the greens, not necessarily the flags.  Your goal shouldn’t be to go for a hole-in-one but to achieve your best game on each hole.  Experienced golfers know when to aim for the flag and when it’s better to just get the ball safely onto the green.  A par shot is much better than a wild swing and a miss.
5. Don’t get hung up on mistakes.  Every golfer misses shots that they should be able to make in their sleep from time to time.  Watching your ball land in the middle of a bunker or taking a high dive into the lake can be frustrating or downright embarrassing.  Rather than getting discouraged or agitated, remember to enjoy the game and continue with your best foot forward.  It’s all part of the game.  Staying cool, calm, and collected will help you perform at your best.
6. Enjoy it!  Remember, your goal for the tournament isn’t to take home a shiny trophy.  Instead, focus on having fun, making friends, and improving your game.  Regardless of your score, plan to reward yourself with your favorite lunch or dinner.  Just participating in a golf tournament is an accomplishment for many golfers!

Are you a member of the Eagle Point Golf Club?

If you enjoy the game of golf, you should consider becoming a member of one of our golf clubs.  While our course is open to the public, becoming a member of our men’s or women’s golf clubs provides you with more benefits to enhance your game, including:

• Oregon Golf Association (OGA) membership,
• Qualification for a USGA/GHIN handicap,
• Complimentary round of golf at the OGA Woodburn golf course, and
• Qualification to participate in our tournaments and individual contests.

Visit our website to learn more about our world-renowned Eagle Point Golf Club here in the heart of Southern Oregon.  Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course features six tees at every hole to make golfing an incredible experience for every player, from the beginner to the professional.