A large number of us will have our Club Championships coming up towards the start of Spring (September / October / November).

Over the years in Pennants, Club Knockout events, NSW Vardon events and regular competitions I have had some good wins and shot some really low scores. I have for a few years also played off a handicap which has seen me as one of the lowest or sometimes the lowest in my club.

So far so good - then the Club Championships come around and its expected by others and myself that I will perform well. To date after all these years of playing Championships, I don't seem to be able to shoot better than about 15 over for 72 holes and its very frustrating.

In past years in the run-up to the Championships I've tried the following either individually, a combination of or all of the following:

1. Practice - both on the range and the short game
2. Lessons - predominantly to keep my swing tuned and make sure that no bad habits are creeping in to it
3. Increased play in both practice and club competitions
4. Playing at other courses to ensure that I'm not going to be stale from playing the same holes week in week
5. Spending extra time planning how I will play each hole
6. Walking the course to make sure that there aren't any subtle changes that I haven't noticed while I've been playing or practising
7. Golf specific fitness training

I am sure that there are many more people than me who feel that they are in this predicament - a good preparation backed up by a poor result and sometimes even a total meltdown

Please feel free to throw your 2 cents worth in to help all of us ISGers in our upcoming Club Championships. It would be great for all of us if someone in the group could pick up a win this year as a result of collective tips from the rest of us.

So go for it...Please...We need your help...

This could be a good one for Carey...

I noticed that your list said nothing about the mental game. Not sure if you've looked into it- but if you haven't, I'd say you should.

I have won my fair share. you cant win it in the first round only lose it.

if you know your course well it really is just another event with fast greens hard pins that should be seen as a challenge to your game.

trying to hard you just get in your own way.

relax practice but only to keep your game in shape not any harder than normal you play well this way for a reason.

the increased workload could be affecting your enjoyment of the game.

God I wish I had an answer for this one. Cause the next question is "I played OK the 1st two days, how do I keep going..."

I can only offer what I have learnt from players on tour.

1. Plan you game - tell yourself which shots you are NOT going to hit. Since you a playing a course you know very well. This should be easy.

2. Follow the plan, and remember that the lack of mistakes is what is going to save you. Not shooting 4 birdies in a row, (though it does help)

3. If you find yourself thinking about the tournament, instead of the shots. Just go back and trust your pre shot routine. try and get yourself on auto pilot.

4. Don't try and shoot 8 under the first round, even par would be nice -1 or 2 over doesn't kill you.

It all comes down to a couple of putts...

Enjoy it !!!

QUOTE: ScratchPlayer @ Jul 10 2005, 01:36 AM

In past years in the

run-up to the Championships

I've tried the following either individually, a combination of or all of the following:

1. Practice - both on the range and the short game
2. Lessons - predominantly to keep my swing tuned and make sure that no bad habits are creeping in to it
3. Increased play in both practice and club competitions
4. Playing at other courses to ensure that I'm not going to be stale from playing the same holes week in week
5. Spending extra time planning how I will play each hole
6. Walking the course to make sure that there aren't any subtle changes that I haven't noticed while I've been playing or practising
7. Golf specific fitness training

I am sure that there are many more people than me who feel that they are in this predicament - a good preparation backed up by a poor result and sometimes even a total meltdown

You could call this good preparation but I'm not so sure. Is this your normal preparation? Why do you need to change your habits for the weeks prior to the championships?

Normally you play golf by using your normal preperation, whatever that may be. Now you've instigated actions which are brought about from the desire to play well or better than usual for a "one off" occasion. Most of the preperation you have decided to do for this "one off" are probably only feeding expectations and anxiety related to your desired outcomes.

This will not put you in your ideal performance state. Most likely you will fall off mentally with a different preparation like this. Mistakes go from recovery opportunites to championship destroyers, from "they happen every now and then," to, "not this time!"

Unless you are commited to following your Club Champioship preparation all year round you will continue to find you are out of your comfort zone come the first tee shot of the Big Event.

Typical example: Some players arrive 20mins before they tee off. Have a couple of swings, hit a few balls, the odd stretch, a couple of putts to get a feel on the greens and then go play. With beer can in hand they happily prod around the course.
Now it's club champs... now I want to make sure I play good... now I have to prepare better... now I have to shoot a good score... So I'll arrive 1hour before I play, I'll hit heaps of balls to make my swing right, I'll take longer over my shots to make sure I'm going to hit it good.

Club Champs are the slowest days of the year.
Do you ever wonder why Jack Nicklaus said majors were the easiest events for him to win.

Scratch. One VERY Important point. ''ENJOY YOURSELF''

and Rememer - once you finish and get to the 19th, the Beer will be on , it will be Cold and will taste great - regardless of what you score

Good Luck.

Scratch:
You've had some pretty good recommendations, and what Blade said is very important. If you have a sound game, and it sounds as though you do, then your anxiety is the culprit, and that can rip off any and everyone all the way to Tiger and ViJay.

Just saying "Don't have any," won't quite get it. The only way I have found to deal with it, is to block it out with a clear key long enough to execute each shot. Self-talk is good, but not alone. You need the tools to go with it.

Beyond that, everyone is on the right track when they suggest "enjoy what you do." Golf is a game. Should be fun. If it's work, take up tennis.
Fun doesn't have a lot of angst in it. And if you allow performance anxiety to rule, it will eat your lunch.

Be your usual self. That will get you where you want to go.

Keygolf, clear keys are great to help remove anxiety over the ball. Are there any extensions to clear keys to help remove anxiety pre round? Like a clearkey phrase or commitment plan before you go out and try to hit shots. Like, is there a way clear keys can pre set your attitude so you can run over the top of poor pre round thinking?

Thanks to everyone for their input to date, it's most appreciated.

I am beginning to see a common theme that revolves around making a normal preparation, not trying any harder than normal, and enjoying the game on the day.

I have also had an indepth read of the clear key concept - thanks Keygolf as I can see this as being something to keep the anxious thoughts away from shot execution.

I, like TheBlade, am interested if there is a clear key extension to ensure sound pre-round and pre-practice thinking

Feeling more comfortable already - once again thanks to everyone for their comments and positive approach.

I can't say I've competed in our Club Championships, but I have shot my lowest round ever (7 under hcp) at a tournament event on a course I had never seen or played before. I had played little golf leading into the tournament too. Key to this amazing feat? I said to myself that I'd take the day as it came, played with the swing I had and just try and enjoy it. Give it a go.

Blade and Scratch:
The question is good one and very relevant. If I understand the question, as you both are asking it, pre-game anxiety comes from anticipation, which is very healthy. It says you are "up" for the contest or game. If it is excessive, that likely means that your agenda has perhaps shifted to something like "must win," or "must avoid embarrassment," or some imagined or wondered about lack of confidence in skills or some other personal aganda (though that part doesn't call for different management, really).

First thing to acknowledge to one's self is: "Good. I'm ready to go." Then it is good to spend a few minutes quietly, rather than jumping around and double checking on clubs, balls, etc, or even hurrying to the practice area. Make it at least a little leisurely.

My recommendation to players I work with is 1. Don't practice before a round, especially a match. Do that afterward. 2. Loosen up, but just hit half a 32 ball exercise, all on clear key, with several different clubs (Trying to "find" something just before a game won't do anything but produce more anxiety for a non discriminatory system - our human one. We will not be apt to "learn" anything in that short time-frame). 3. If tension (that is physiological and results from excessive anxiety) is present, then take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly, to release it.

Add that, on the first tee shot you hit in the game itself (if you use clear key), it should be preceeded by taking a liitle "snort" type breath through the nose and overgripping the handle of your club and hold both about two seconds, then release both and start the clear key while moving to the ball. That will neutralize the tension and keep it away long enough to make the shot. One can use that breathing exercise at any time tension is noticeable. (Bear in mind also that, psychologically, the first and last of any series are the most highly noticed by our systems, so those are prime moments for management).

The real deal, as I see it, though, is to own a plan and to create that plan when you are at ease, not when you are facing the gun. Make a commitment (covenant is better) to maintain that plan. That is using the full value of how trust really works to help you. We will not get rid of pre-game feeling, no matter it's size or shape, but by developing an advanced plan, we will manage it better. Each time we do that successfully, we improve our confidence and over time, that will diminish the size and volume of the anxiety, but it won't remove it - and frankly we need a little of it to "spark the engine."

Addendum: Players use clear keys to "cut into" anxious feelings in several ways - when walking down the fairway; when needing to shut out a noisy competitor or observers, when driving to the course, etc. What that does is remind them they are in charge of their own demeanor, not at the mercy of it. That may wind up being the best of the confidence builders. One player used his clear key to kick a 40 yard field goal (he was not a kicker, but in a contest) that won him 250, 000 bucks. Not bad for a little old word or two. LOL

Personally I just try to do my thing. The same stuff I do every round. I don't use the golf course as a practice ground anymore. The golf course is where I go to play . I go out there and pick the best shots for the situation I can and take it as it comes, one shot at a time. I find if my mind is on the shots and I'm going through my routine then the score takes care of itself.