How to prepare for playing in golf competitions

Week 16 of my updates is in the bag.

Where to start this week? I go into detail later about the best way to prepare for playing in golf competitions, but let's first take a look at LIV. What a strange week it was with rumours circulating on social media one way and another about the future of the breakaway tour. 

What is Going on With LIV Golf?

I think I first saw a post online suggesting that the funding was about to be pulled and that the event in Mexico was under serious threat. 

Then there were quotes from players saying that as far as they were aware it was "business as usual". Then we had more news online of an emergency meeting being called for the big wigs in New York. I saw some snippets and quotes online from the presenters of the tour suggesting people shouldn’t believe what they see online. 

Finally, there was an interview with the tour’s CEO Scott O’Neil basically saying everything is fine. Move on. 

Whatever you believe, whatever the outcome, the one thing that really sticks out for me - and just for clarity, I’m not a fan or follower of the tour - is that with all the social media content I consume, I couldn’t tell you who won that event and the only clips I have seen online are of Bryson having a moan about the course, not that I am really hunting it out. 

What else has happened?

Have You Watched The New Series of Full Swing?

The new series of Full Swing has dropped on Netflix. As I type this, I am currently on episode 3 "One Shot at History". I have really enjoyed the first two episodes, so maybe I will report back next week in a bit more detail. 

Getting Into The New Golf Season

I have played some golf this week, not during the week, but a few holes of practice on Friday evening and then a nice couple of rounds at Felixstowe. Saturday was a nice fly round in two hours 30 minutes and a couple of birdies helped me to a 76(+4). Sunday, I played in a better ball competition where me and my partner scored a great 23 points on the front 9 - helped by three more birdies from yours truly - but unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalise on that start as we were the polar opposite of dove tailing. 39 points the final total and wouldn’t even come close. 

The links is really starting to dry out and brown off right now, just as it should be, and plenty of run on the ball is always welcome, meaning that it's definitely time to switch my focus to my wedges!

Also, pretty happy with where my game is currently heading into comp season which kicks off next week. 

This week I have a trip to Stoke Park, as previously mentioned. But in a couple of weeks the real competition season starts to kick in. 

The Best Way to Prepare For Golf Comps

I listened to a really good podcast last week from Jack Backhouse and Nicola Slater from National Club Golfer talking about prep for competitions. I know lots of people reading this might just rock up to the golf club on a Saturday or Sunday and check when they get there if there is a comp that day or not. I know there are also people that will have all the comps penned into their calendar and prep accordingly.

It got me thinking about what the right balance is going into bigger competitions. I usually hit the same number of balls as I normally would any other week. I’m definitely someone that has overdone it in the past, hit too many balls in prep and I don’t think it helps me. 

The one thing I will definitely do is work on my short game in the run up to bigger events. In a couple of weeks, I am heading up to play in the Old Links Trophy at St Anne’s Old Links. The day before I will spend some time chipping and putting to make sure I am going to get a good feel for the greens and run outs on a course like that. 

I actually did some work on my putting with Jamie Donaldson from AimPoint and he gave me some useful tips on how to prep for different green speeds. Drills with 10/20/30ft putts and measuring the length of my stroke which comes in really handy when going from course to course. 

For anyone heading off to play in comps away from their home course soon, my recommendation is to focus on the short game and do as much course prep as possible.

I am, however, interested to hear from anyone that has anything they do differently in the run up to bigger competitions?

That’s it from me this week. Off to finish Full Swing series 4!