First tournament coming up. Any advice?

[Toznak]

Hi

I have my first tournament coming up.

I was wondering if there were any tips that you all more experienced players could give me. In regards to What to bring, any tips on keeping mental game in check, just anything that you can think of.

Please and thank you!

 

[CreemCheese]

Bring a mini, there's something that annoys me about people showing up unprepared. I've noticed I always drink more water during tournaments, due to the slower pace and more time between throws.

Focus on your game and have fun, don't worry about trying to have a better drive or go for a long putt you'd normally lay up. Introduce yourself, tell people on your card it's your first tournament. It'll lead to you being more comfortable.

 

[Toznak]

Also if anyone has any advice on how to play and practice leading up to a tournament.

 

[DavidSauls]

My always-first advice for a first tournament is, to tell people you're playing with that it's your first tournament.

They'll be helpful with the etiquette and protocols, and more likely to forgive your transgressions.

Preparation varies with each individual. I don't do anything special leading up to a tournament---except, being old and not as durable as I once was, I take it easy on the day before. It's still just disc golf; the only major difference is the slow pace, and I'm not sure there's any good way to practice or prepare for that. I guess you could carry a book in a practice round, and read 5 pages before each shot.

 

[BuzzzChief]

Just make sure you're dressed for the weather, bring a mini, and plenty of water. I bring a stool to sit on because there's so much waiting around, but it's not 100% necessary.

Other than that, have fun and ask for rules help if you need it. No flipping your disc or tapping out to finish a hole.

 

[Binky Yutz]

Be sure to know where all OB's are;

Find out if the 2 meter rule is in effect?

There are no "Gimme's" , you must "hole out" the disc.

See if your discs must be "marked distinctly", some PDGA tournies require this.

Don't foot fault - although if you let them know this is your 1st tournie, they MAY be
more forgiving.

Quiet on the tee box please!!

Always remain behind whoever happens to be "out". Do not walk ahead or beside someone that is throwing.

Familiarize yourself with the PDGA rules. It doesn't take long to read the entire rule book.

 

[corin_brown]

Have fun. Tournaments are the best.

Compete hard. Even if things are going pear-shaped and for you in the tournament and you're inclined to ease off or even quit, the other players in your division deserve your best from wire to wire. You'd always want the best from them, right?

Read the rules. They're on pdga.com. Pay attention to the caddy book or rules that are unique to the course & your tournament.

Devise a simple gameplan before the tournament and stick to it, even if it's as simple as, "forget my last shot, good or bad."

Tournaments can be a physically taxing experience. Prepare your body. Eat a breakfast. Don't be hungover.

Prepare a nice little post-game spread for yourself, just like going to the bar after a softball game.

 

[Doofenshmirtz]

Devise a simple gameplan before the tournament and stick to it, even if it's as simple as, "forget my last shot, good or bad."

In addition to the good advice above, this is a key to playing your best. Play the course before the tournament (not necessarily the day before) and figure out how you are going to attack each hole and stick to that plan. Do not change your approach just because you saw one or more of the other players approach it in a different way. Trying a new shot in a tournament is a great way to add strokes to your game.

 

[alpha_dave]

Bring a mini.

Play the course(s) beforehand.

Have fun.

 

[tomdizzlefizzle]

Don't drink a lot of coffee.

 

[Moose33]

Go to the bathroom before the start!!!

Bring mini(2 if you have them)
Extra water
Towels!
Extra pair of socks and shoes if you have them.
Pay attention in the players meeting and if there is a caddy guide read it.
Even if you only use a few discs bring backups if you have them. I've seen a couple of guys who play with only 4-5 discs throw one in a lake or lose one and end up with no mid or putter.
Have fun stay loose, ask questions and don't eat/drink anything weird the night before.

 

[@iDiscGolf]

Is this a course you've played before? If it isn't, get some practice, at least one round preferably two.

If it is, then throw what your gut instinct is telling you. Don't over think this. Try to have fun and don't let a bad shot ruin your round.

Also, congratulate your card mates on a good shot if it's warranted. It will help you relax and hopefully get into the zone.

Legacy says it right, "play with confidence".

 

[DanJon]

Stay in your comfort zone.

Don't throw shots you wouldn't normally throw just because it's a tournament.

Don't dwell on bad shots.

Keep a positive attitude.

No one wants to be on a card with a negative nancy.

And take a deep breath before each putt.

 

[heartman]

check out my comment in a previous "First Tournament Tips" post: https://www.reddit.com/r/discgolf/comments/3hoham/going_to_my_first_tournament_tomorrow/cu9da7y

... and of course preround s*** as always

 

[jcf5083]

Throw more aces than the rest of the field, and check the weather forecast.

 

[Tpro]

I don't use a mini... unless I absolutely have to so yeah.
You may do really well or you may play a little worse than normal.
The key is to go and enjoy the experience and see if its what you really want out of the game. Play by the rules and get ready for people taking the tournament way to seriously. HaveFun!

 

[corin_brown]

Don't throw shots you wouldn't normally throw just because it's a tournament.

Great, great point. Know your abilities and stick to them. The tournament is not the place to work on your game or try stuff out. When you start straying from your game, that's when you take risks you don't even realize you're taking until you end up OB and posting a huge number. You have to play to win. Disc golf is difficult enough, you don't need to be giving up any more strokes than is absolutely required given the restrictions of your abilities.

Oh, and when you putt, decide if you want to make the putt or not. If you decide that you want to make the putt, decide that it's going in. That's you're only hope for making any putt - to decide that you're going to make it. As soon as you entertain doubt about a certain putt that you're standing over, the odds of making that putt fall precipitously; and if that putt is 20' or longer, you can forget it.

 

[GLong]

don't play/throw the day before. give your body time to rest.

figure out what your putting routine is and dial it in while you are practicing. when you step up to tough/important putts - just focus on the routine. imagine yourself in practice and not in a tournament.

also - i don't throw many warm-up putts or shots before a tourney. everyone has a preference on this, but for newer players i think it can be more harmful. if something is a little off, it may get in your head.

i agree with the advice posted above as well.

 

[paulw]

clean your room, get the car serviced, make someone laugh, help out someone that needs it, be nice to women, vote

 

[kerplunk]

As someone's signature says, poop before you play.

Also, if you are really interested in scoring well it helps to play the course beforehand and actually bring a small pad of paper and take notes for each hole. I will usually note which disc I should drive with and areas where I would prefer to be or not to be- for example: "Star Leopard, left is better than right" or "steep hill ~25 ft behind basket."