Last Updated on June 14, 2023 by Britt Olizarowicz
Tournament golf and Saturday morning golf with friends are two different things. As a golf teaching professional, I’ve seen golfers go from shooting low 70’s to high 80’s in the course of a few hours simply because the club championship pressure was on.
If your club championship is coming up and you want to make sure your game shows up the day of the event, I have 7 actionable steps to help you prepare. Let’s remember a stroke or two higher in tournament golf may be something to count on, but nobody wants to go out there and embarrass themselves.
So don’t!
7 Actionable Steps To Prepare For Your Club Championship
Most golfers playing in a club championship are experiencing tournament golf for the first time. Tournament golf is different, but it doesn’t have to be a disaster. Here are 7 actionable steps to prepare for your club championship.
Don’t Make Any Major Swing or Equipment Changes
Great golfers know that subtle changes are often the best changes. If you think that a new driver is really going to make all the difference in the event, then make sure you purchase it at least two weeks before the tournament.
Even if your clubs or your swing are not perfect, you do know how to use them.
I’m a fan of working on swing changes in the months leading up to your club championship but not in the days before. Focus on simple and basic things like setup, stance, posture, and even where your weight is balanced in your feet.
Leave swing plane, weight transfer, and wrist action alone for now.
Practice On Course and On Range (With Pressure)
If you really want my opinion on this, I would tell you to always practice with pressure. Practicing with pressure means you are learning and adapting and will eventually bring that with you to the course.
If there is no pressure, you are really just exercising.
Try to find a friend that is also working on preparing for the club championship. It’s even better if you’re in different divisions because then you won’t be focused too much on beating the other person.
The key here is to play closest to the pin contest, try to get up and down, pick a green and land on it five times, and do things that make your practice count. When you go out on the course, force yourself to make 6 pars or 3 birdies, whatever it is.
I don’t like to get too focused on a specific score; instead, I focus more on smaller tangible goals, like not hitting it in the water on number 8 or two, putting the largest green on the course. These small pressure scenarios will make you so much more prepared for the real pressure on the day of the event.
Write Down Your Plan For the Course
Sit down with a sharp pencil and a clean sheet of paper, and write down your plan for the course. I know you have a golf gadget of some kind that will do this for you, but that is not the point.
This is a mental exercise that helps you prepare for your tournament day.
A club championship brings with it some pressure, but those with a plan will always see more success.
One thing to be careful with here is that your plan is, not set in stone, but it should be realistic. Don’t plan to hit the ball 15 yards further than you ever have off the first tee box (because you won’t!).
Pick a realistic plan, and do your best to follow it the day of the event. When something goes wrong, simply adjust and move on.
Set A Goal (Not always winning)
Several years ago, I was teaching a student who had a goal of just finishing the club championship. She had not played 36 holes of tournament golf ever in her life, and she was fine to finish the event.
At the time, I was a little surprised by this goal. I could see the goal for a marathon runner, but a golfer?
Needless to say, she finished her tournament, didn’t finish in last place, and was incredibly proud of herself for reaching this goal. She taught me that winning doesn’t always have to be the goal in a club championship.
Sometimes when I was younger and competing in more events, I would set a goal of a specific score or a number of birdies. When you get more competitive and are ready to win, setting a goal to win is not a bad idea.
Find an Outfit You Love
It’s important for both male and female golfers to love the way they look on the golf course. Don’t be afraid to spend a little money on a club championship outfit that makes you feel good.
Golf is such a mental game that you must ensure you are feeling good about yourself and your abilities out on the course that day. In addition, make sure you will be comfortable, your swing is not restricted, and you have checked the temperature for the proper layers and fabrics.
Have A Mental Plan In Place
What is your mental plan for the day of the club championship? Pick a swing thought or two, be smart about how involved you get with what other players are doing, and find some way to manage your nerves.
It’s very easy to get caught up in this idea of playing a match play with the other people in your group. Most club championships start with some type of stroke play qualifier. Thie means you are competing against a large group of people, not just those in your group.
Don’t let yourself get trapped into thinking your playing partner is the entire tournament. Play your own game, stick to your mental plan, and go low.
Don’t Arrive Too Early For Your Tee Time
The morning of your club championship, you will feel a bit nervous and ready to head to the golf course. Do yourself a favor, and don’t get there too early. If you arrive at the golf course with too much time to spare, it will probably make you more nervous.
I’ve seen too many players go to the range for an hour before they tee off, only to find out by the time they get to the 15th hole, they are terribly exhausted. Don’t overdo it with the practice and warmup; the key is to feel like your muscles are lose, but save your energy for the course.
Head to the putting green and hit a few putts to get an idea of the speed of the green. Again, don’t leave yourself enough time to get too mechanical or make any changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about a club championship and ensuring you are properly prepared.
How do I prepare for the golf Club Championship?
To prepare for a golf club championship, start a few months ahead and focus on ensuring your fundamentals are good. Gain some confidence in your short game, and ensure you have the physical stamina to play golf well for a few days back to back.
What should I do the night before a golf tournament?
The night before a golf tournament, get plenty of rest. In addition, eat a lighter meal made mostly of whole foods. Be sure to include some protein in the meal. If possible, take an after-dinner walk to ensure your stomach is settled and your body is loose for your round in the morning.
How do pro golfers prepare for tournaments?
Every professional golfer has their unique way of preparing for a tournament. Many are very strict about working out and only eating certain foods; others are more superstitious and have certain routines to follow.
What to do the morning of a golf tournament?
The morning of your golf tournament, it’s not a bad idea to wake up early and stretch and walk. In addition, you should eat a balanced breakfast and try to do some breathing exercises to calm your nerves.
Should you play golf the day before a tournament?
It is absolutely acceptable to play golf the day before a tournament as a form of practice round. Some people get too hung up on the score they shot the day before, but I focused more on the types of shots I was hitting and feeling good about my swing.
Do golfers play the course before the tournament?
Most golfers play a practice round before they participate in a tournament at the club. If you are playing in your club championship, chances are you have played the course hundreds of times, so a true practice round is unnecessary.
Should you drink caffeine before golf?
If your body is used to caffeine, drinking it before a round of golf is acceptable. However, if you don’t typically drink caffeine, then it can make you jittery before you tee off. During a club championship, that is not something you would want.
Final Thoughts
I wish you the best of luck in your club championship, and if you have specific questions about how to prepare, I’m happy to help. When you win your first club championship, the preparation and attention that you put into it will have all been well worth it!
