Assuming you’ve done a tournament or two …
See if this sounds at all familiar:
- You work up the courage to register for an event in your area.
- You crap the bed at said event, shooting well below your ability.
- You proceed to play like Paul McBeth during your next casual round.
If this is your reality …
You’re not alone.
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for some magic-bean cure to make tournament play easier, it doesn’t exist. And if someone tells you they’ve got an overnight solution, it’s merely snake oil. There’s no playlist, mental exercise or pre-round routine that can prepare you for competition.
And if you’ve yet to muster up the courage to compete, prepare yourself: Tournament yips happen. One-hundred-foot approaches, 15-foot tap-ins and stock hyzers get the knees knocking.
The best way to do away with mental weakness during competition – and permanently?
Play more tournaments.
Become borderline obsessed with finding (and registering for) new events. Anything you can get your hands on will suffice: League nights, $1 sanctioned rounds, A-, B- and C-tier tourneys, etc.
It doesn’t matter …
Just compete.
The end goal isn’t to win – it’s to familiarize yourself with the tournament experience. After a few events, you’ll start recognizing faces from your local scene – this beats playing with randos.
You’ll also better understand what your game can (and can’t) handle under pressure. After one or two holes, tournament rounds will feel like practice rounds. You’ll start focusing more on your play and less on not looking dumb – on not making bone-headed mistakes in front of others.
Admit it: You’ve been there.
Even if all you can psych yourself up for is an unsanctioned, fund-raising tournament, do it. Comfort leads to consistency. Consistency leads to results. Results lead to positive experiences.
I don’t care how good you are …
There’s ZERO room for sideline-sitters in competitive disc golf.
Don’t be one.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Relax: Disc golf is an individual sport (and that’s okay)
- The DGPT: Rock-solid C1X putting crowns champions
- Gripe No. 33: ‘Let’s go!’ as disc golf’s go-to ace declaration
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