I know we have a lot of newbies to the game on the forums so I decided to write an article about my first competition I ever played in back in Feb of this year.

Hope it helps and is enjoyable.

http://www.golfshake.com/news/view/4448/Feature_Playing_My_First_Competitive_Game.html

Matt,

a really interesting insight into your first competitive round.

Like you, i'm not a member and therefore have only played socially and 90% of my games have proably been on my own as I don't know many people that play. I played a new course on Sunday, on my own, and even that got the nerves going with 'locals' looking on so not sure how i'd cope in competition, though would love to give it ago sometime. I'm sure you'll pick it up from here and just go forwards, thanks for sharing this. Cheers, P

Great to have an insight into first comp experience, sorry i cant share mine, as i cant remember it as i was about 10yrs old.

Also like to pick up on Paul's point about playing social golf. A flip side to only playing social golf is my example, I actually gave up playinga few years ago because I was not enjoying the fact that I only ever seemed to play in organised comps or team matches. I had to be switched on every time I turned up. You cant beat 'a pound front pound back pound overall' or a game of 'skins' with your mates, or anyone for that matter.....

Also, Paul, you say you play on your own alot, but if (you may allready do this) when you turn up on the tee, if there is someone there, never hesitate to ask if you can join them. It WILL benefit your game, and maybe gain a few friends for next time...You should also consider join a 'society' , this is a good way of playing competative games with less pressure that club comps...

Matt, an enjoyable read, remember mine a few weeks back, it was bad enough playing with my guv'nor who plays off 18, our 2 guest's played off 12 & 8, and there's little old me with my 28, which was dropped to 19 ! finished with what i thought was a respectable 19 only to find i finished 18th out of 35 and there were plenty below me with better handicaps, all in all an enjoyable day out but hell the pressure does get to you !!

Thanks for the positive words guys.

Just so you know I have been back and played 5 of the other events on this particular tour and am currently sitting 5th on in the race. I can't win, there are a few low handicappers higher than me that have played less rounds. But enjoyed them all the same.

Matt looking forward to meeting up at NVS poss a sociable on the Sunday. Oh and Celtic of course!!

Me too Dave, Ill be at the NvS both days.

I hope your going to be playing medal format on the 2010 when you visit the Celtic??

I'm not! the course gives me goose bumps every time I see it having been fortunate enough to get 2 days of Ryder Cup (viewing) action in 2010.

Im new to golf and really enjoying it. How many rounds of golf would you recommend before im ready to play tournaments. Only played arounf 10, lowest score of 111!

Steven

Id say go when your ready. Nobody can tell you when is the right time to do it.

all i will say is I wish I had the chance to do it sooner than I did.

Steven, if you are a member of a club, put your three cards in to handicap secretary to gain a handicap, when youve got an official handicap, id go in comps asap. It doesnt matter what hcp you are given just go out and enjoy it, dont worry about your score just put your card in, its the best way to get used to playing with different people,from different tees, and by vurtue of it being a comp, it is the only way you can offially get better. One thing i would advise is that when you play your handicap rounds you play one with a more experienced(maybe club official) so you can clarify any rules issues you may have.

But as Matt illudes to...the sooner the better.

I see people on a regular basis who dont enter comps, or even have a hcp. Now Im all for people playing for fun, but the same people are constantly complaining that they are not improving. In my opinion it is because they have nothing to measure themselves against, they have no competition.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes im a member at a local club here in Norway, ive played two rounds of 18 so far shooting 111 and 117. Not great scores I know but can see my games improving. Just need to work on my irons and putting! Very pleased with driver off the tee. Feel confident I could enter some tournaments after a few more months of play.

What kind of handicap do i expect to get with 111,117 and ?(my last round). I expect it would be the lowest?

Matt, do you have an official handicap? if not how did you get in this comp? Dave CAC handed Geordie.

Dave, Its a open comp so anyone can enter, official handicap or not. The guys running the events will adjust handicaps throughout the rounds if they feel its needed.

I always find that no matter how bad you think you are doing- keep going. Somebody will be having a worse day than you! The more you play competitively the better. Friendly and practice rounds are great but nothing will ever test your nerve like a competition round and Medal/stroke play is of course the ultimate.

Steve,

Handicap scoring works on how you score on each hole, not your overall score. If I parred the first 17 holes, and then scored 28 over par on the last, it would not exactly be a fair judge of my game if I got a 28 handicap would it ?

Therefore I think your only allowed +2 on any particular hole. to a max of +28 for me.

You can look at your scores, and where you have scored (e.g 7 on a par 3, reduce that to a score of 5), re-calculate your scores, and if you are still over +28, then its likely that is the kind of handicap you would get.

Its calculated over 3 cards (some clubs require at least 1 card to be played off the white/medal tees)

Hope this helps and gives an insight.

Chris

You're pointing Steve in the direction of how CONGU handicaps are derived. Steve is in Norway which will come under the EGA system of handicaps. The EGA website has their online handicapping system handbook on it in PDF form.