First Tourney. Suggestions for a noob? [Archive]

tomjulio

11-12-2008, 11:00 PM

Been playing now since May, and am addicted, obvious right? Am entering my first tourney with friends on Saturday at Valley View in Wisconsin. Signed up for the advanced level as I am shooting on average a few strokes below pro-par the past few times I have played the course. A -7 this week as my best score.

So question. What are good recommendations on playing my first tourney? Things to be aware of? prepare for? what should I expect? hints? tricks? special joystick/button cheats, etc?

ERicJ

11-12-2008, 11:25 PM

Check these threads with the same question:
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=616

Hmmm... maybe it's time we put the DGCR FAQ (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/faq.php) to work...

ERic

Midnightbiker

11-13-2008, 01:26 AM

ERicJ

11-13-2008, 03:53 AM

These documents might be a good read before playing.
PDGA2007rulebook.pdf (http://pdga.com/files/documents/PDGA2007rulebook.pdf)
08CompetitionManual.pdf (http://pdga.com/files/documents/08CompetitionManual.pdf)

... and watch the falling putts inside 10m.

ERic

tomjulio

11-13-2008, 09:04 AM

Bring a lunch. Get a portable chair or stool, because sometimes the wait between holes can be a while. Make sure you have all your discs in order. Don't forget your mini marker disc. Make sure you have pleanty to drink with you.

Don't plan on doing much after the tournament, because you will be quite tired.

always thought the carrying around of the porta chair seemed kinda lame. But it is easily becoming the number one thing I am hearing about slow playing tourneys. now it ain't sounding so bad.

frisbeeguy

11-13-2008, 09:44 AM

The chair is a must! I use mine to put my bag on it more then as a seat.
Other things besides being prepared w/ snacks, water & discs, towel, bug spray ect.
I usually (counter to most players) don't play holes during warm up time...there is nothing like the panic feeling looking for a lost disc as the two minute warning is about to blast.
You will find tourney golf is not like your regular game...you'll end up seeing parts of the course you never knew existed!
Good luck!

garublador

11-13-2008, 09:52 AM

Maybe it's just the tournaments I've been in (it hasn't been very many) but my observation is that the slowest groups are the ones who have the chairs. Many of them spend the time getting it out to sit on it between every throw rather than just when there's going to be a long wait at a hole. It seems like more trouble than it's worth to me (carrying it around, setting it up, tearing it down, etc), but I know I'm in the minority.

Snacks and water are both good things to have. Things like medical tape, towels and clothing layers are nice, too. I'd normally say bug spray, but I'm not sure how big of an issue that will be this time of year in WI.

Just play your game. Don't try to emulate the other players's shots and strategies, but pay attention to what they do. It's a good way to learn stuff to incorporate into your game.

DiscChainBasket18

11-13-2008, 10:20 AM

#1 thing: Have Fun!! Since it's your 1st time there are absolutely no expectations.
I like to bring my iPod so I can tune out & relax. This also pulls my attention away from the other players shots (& emotions) & allows me to focus on my own play.
Keep track of your own score so you can double-check the card at the end of the round.
Todays golf chairs are pretty easy to set up & take down. I'm old so I use one to conserve energy. You are always stopping out on course for something/somebody. Might as well sit down & relax.

ERicJ

11-13-2008, 11:23 AM

Keep track of your own score so you can double-check the card at the end of the round.
Good point.

At a tourney scorekeeping duties are usually rotated. On an 18-hole round each player in the foursome usually keeps score on the scorecard(s) for four or five holes and then hands off to the next player in the foursome. Be prepared to do that.

I usually keep my own personal scorecard anyway since I'm tracking my number of putts too (for the DGCR scorebook).

ERic

sidewinding

11-13-2008, 11:39 AM

Don't Choke

tomjulio

11-13-2008, 11:54 AM

Don't Choke

I'm doomed.

great tips for sure. :-)
....still not sure about the chair. Maybe I will bring a folding lawn chair attached to quad straps for the lengthy delays.

Midnightbiker

11-13-2008, 11:59 PM

If you need a chair, this is the one to get. Its Called the Game Hunter from Academy Sports And Outdoors. It only weights 1 pound and it unfolds in 2 seconds and folds up in 3 seconds. It has a shoulder strap to throw it over your shoulder and it has a zipper pocket under the seat. I have taken it to all my tournaments and it works great. Beats standing around or sitting on the ground. They retail for $10.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/Midnightbiker/0332-02207-0200-p1.jpg

DannyM

11-14-2008, 07:02 AM

Another tip.....play the course, not your opponent. Don't try to "outdo" your opponent and wind up playing outside your game. If you are familiar with the course, throw your drive like you normally do, <or try to>.
Main thing though...HAVE FUN!

jedwards

11-14-2008, 12:23 PM

special joystick/button cheats, etc?

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start, Start.

Wait, or is it: pause the CD of the album at the very beginning, starting the DVD or tape of the film with the TV volume muted, and un-pausing the CD when the black-and-white MGM lion roars for the third time.

sidewinding

11-14-2008, 12:59 PM

I was going to say leave the one hitter and six pack at home but I won't. I don't want to start that whole debate up again.

Starwraith169

11-14-2008, 11:59 PM

Dont get wasted drunk after the first day if it is a 2 day tourney. Trust me. It did me NO good.

thenamesben

11-15-2008, 09:43 AM

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start, Start.

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Select Start

Valley View is a short course, mostly through the woods so I wouldn't recommend the whole chair idea. If you played in the Howler at Dretzka Park, a chair was a must because we were over-booked, playing sixsomes and even a few eightsomes on the holes. But just take your time, line up your putts and you should be golden.

iDisc

11-15-2008, 09:53 AM

i played my first tourney last weekend and it was raining. i just brought an umbrella (mini one that can be shrunk to about a foot long. also i brought a regular ball golf pull over which is water resistant and still provides a full range of motion, gloves, hat, 3 gatorades and some cereal bars. i used everything i had in my bag, pullover, gloves etc. because it started out as 35 degrees then it went to 40 degrees and raining with bad wind, then 45 with a little bit of sun, i was changing clothes the whole 2 rounds.

but i was able to have all this stuff because of my bag, Revolution Dual Pack. it seems like its the only way to go in a tourney!

also about the chair, i was playing with 2 guys who brought them and after the first round they put them in their cars, not worth it unless you can attach it to your bag or something and not worry about it falling off or anything

discflinger

11-15-2008, 10:25 AM

Yeah, chairs always seemed like one more distraction to me. I've got the simple three legged and a folding one that can easily go over my shoulders, but I'd just rather sit on the ground, though I will sit in someone else's chair while they're throwing.

danhyzer

11-15-2008, 10:29 AM

Get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast and arrive a little early to warm up and do some stretches. Play YOUR game and play the course. Don't worry about finishing first, because your main goal of your first tournament should be is to have fun (if you have to high of expectations, your playing in the wrong division. I would even suggest playing in the lowest possible division [and cream your opponents] . since you don't have a PDGA rating yet).

thenamesben

11-16-2008, 11:49 AM

tomjulio

11-16-2008, 11:58 PM

Don't Choke

Maybe the MOST important thing mentioned!

Played my first tourney Saturday, and tee 1, a hole I can shoot two in ALL the time, I three putted for a four. Such a diff style of playing. Took me a while to adjust.

Things I noticed:

1. not as laid back as playing with friends
2. have to keep in mind to play YOUR game and not what's happening in your small group
3. focus focus focus
4. not a time to try new things

..and with that, after only playing disc golf since June, I came in fourth in the advance division and shot a -6 total (pro par) for both rounds earning $48 in disc golf equipment, not bad...AND my friend got his first ace ever in the practice round. A fun...LONG day.

Best story,
I was shooting a -5 going into 18 on my first round. Ten feet from the basket after a great drive. Half the tournament people walking up watching me. My birdie putt hits the basket and rolls, and rolls, and rolls....down hill about 90 feet away then against the wind. A two turned into a five. It's still giving me nightmares.

Thanks for all the advice. Spot on.

REDARMY

11-17-2008, 01:50 AM

have fun, bring extra drinks/smokes/beer/a hot 18-year old in a short skirt to cheer you on (or distract your opponents), make a couple new friends.

i haven't played in any tourneys yet, but that's the plan i have for when i do.

innova

12-01-2008, 05:30 PM

Just go have fun and do not worry about anything else.

crouchingwombat

12-01-2008, 09:28 PM

I want to say thanks for all of these tips also. I'm trying out a smaller one, the cross course challenge in Orlando, and some doubles play at the same course before the tourney. Hopefully I can play well. Bringing the girlfriend in a mini skirt, great idea redarmy.

ShaZaun

12-03-2008, 01:27 AM

This forum was very helpful....I'm thinking of getting into a tourney... thanks for the advice

ERicJ

12-03-2008, 01:41 AM

I'm thinking of getting into a tourney...
Go for it! In the past year I've played 19 tournaments, most sanctioned, some not; and six minis. Only once did I have a bad experience. Most of them have been great times and I've met a lot of new friends that way.

ERic

discflinger

12-03-2008, 01:18 PM

So, Tom, we never heard how you did. How did your first tourney go?

sidewinding

12-03-2008, 01:23 PM

So, Tom, we never heard how you did. How did your first tourney go?

He answered that in post 22 http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15403&postcount=22

sidewinding

12-03-2008, 01:28 PM

Best story,
I was shooting a -5 going into 18 on my first round. Ten feet from the basket after a great drive. Half the tournament people walking up watching me. My birdie putt hits the basket and rolls, and rolls, and rolls....down hill about 90 feet away then against the wind. A two turned into a five. It's still giving me nightmares.

That's why they call those tournament rolls.

discflinger

12-03-2008, 02:04 PM

He answered that in post 22 http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15403&postcount=22

Wow, am I hung over? Thanks, man.

Way to go, Tom!

landon77

12-03-2008, 03:34 PM

Don't bring your dog to the tourney, otherwise he/she will be waiting in the car.

john campbell

12-11-2008, 08:53 PM

Thanks for all of these posts. I'm entering my first tournament this Sunday - nervous as hell, and I've been practicing all week to the point that I can't even remember how to throw a disc. I think I've ruined my game. haha. ok, seriously, I have.

Thanks for this, too, Eric:

These documents might be a good read before playing.
PDGA2007rulebook.pdf (http://pdga.com/files/documents/PDGA2007rulebook.pdf)
08CompetitionManual.pdf (http://pdga.com/files/documents/08CompetitionManual.pdf)

... and watch the falling putts inside 10m.

ERic

ERicJ

12-12-2008, 10:42 PM

Thanks for all of these posts. I'm entering my first tournament this Sunday - nervous as hell, and I've been practicing all week to the point that I can't even remember how to throw a disc. I think I've ruined my game. haha. ok, seriously, I have.

Thanks for this, too, Eric:
You're welcome and good luck! Just relax, go out and have fun. It's not significantly different from the way you normally play.

And for anyone else out there with new Tourney questions, I thought I'd add the PDGA rules for doubles too:
http://www.pdga.com/rules/rules-for-doubles

ERic

JCthrills

12-28-2008, 10:15 PM

prepare for the weather, bug spray, sunscreen, extra clothes/socks/shoes (dew even on dry days will get you wet) I use an umbrella more for shade than rain protection in the hotter months, & to protect my bag from snow in the winter!

john campbell

12-29-2008, 10:37 AM

don't get drunk the night before. don't stay out until 3:00 a.m. when the tournament starts at 8. and don't blame the hangover and lack of sleep.

BoneYardMan2

12-30-2008, 10:15 PM

Where's the Ice Bowl and when in Tennessee

REDARMY

12-30-2008, 11:10 PM

REDARMY

12-30-2008, 11:32 PM

i've scanned the pdga rulebook you linked to, but have seen nothing of this.

what's the story?

ugh, stupid 5 minute rule....

i found the falling putt thing, nevermind.

also: good god! i can't play with that many rules.

cc0049

12-31-2008, 12:22 PM

You'll definitely want a chair if the tournament is more than a couple of rounds. As far as placing well, don't take any risks...play par golf and only go for the birdies when you know you can keep it close if you miss. Don't let bad throws get in your head...I've seen guys fall apart because of a bad throw or two. I would have recommended signing up for the intermediate division for your first tournie to build some confidence. You can always play up, but once you get a rating you can't play down.
Good luck.