📥 1. You’ll Get a Confirmation (and Maybe Some Instructions)

Shortly after you register, you’ll usually receive:

• A confirmation email
• Details about the course, tee times, or check-in
• Format info (stroke play? net? scramble?)
• What you need to bring (handicap info, scorecard app, etc.)

If it’s a small event, this might come directly from the tournament director or pro shop. Bigger events may send a more formal info packet.
Pro tip: If you don’t hear anything within a few days, it’s okay to follow up. A quick email or call shows you care — and clears up any uncertainty.

⛳ 2. A Few Days Before: You’ll Get Tee Times and Pairings

Usually 2–3 days before the event, you’ll get an email or text with:

• Your tee time
• Your group (playing partners)
• The hole you’re starting on (especially for shotgun starts)

Some tournaments group players randomly, while others pair by handicap or division. Either way, you’ll know when and where to show up — and who you’ll be walking the fairways with.

Not a morning person? You can sometimes request later times when you register — but no promises.

🎯 3. Flights and Divisions Are Finalized

If the event is flighted by handicap, this is when you’ll be placed into your group — A Flight, B Flight, etc.
Each flight typically has:

• A range of handicaps (e.g. 0–5, 6–10, 11–15)
• Its own leaderboard
• Its own prizes or awards

If you’re playing in a gross-only event, flights may be based purely on index or age. If it’s a net event, your handicap will be applied automatically when scores are posted.

RELATED: How to Play in Amateur Golf Tournaments: The Complete Guide

🧠 4. Mental Prep and Light Practice Go a Long Way

Now that things are real, it’s tempting to grind hard on the range — but honestly? Less is more.
Here’s what smart prep looks like:

• Play one or two low-pressure rounds to stay loose
• Spend time on putting and chipping — it’ll matter more than your driver
• Visualize a calm first tee shot (even if your hands are shaking a little)

And no — you don’t need to rebuild your swing or take five lessons before tournament day. Stick with what you’ve got.

🗓️ 5. The Day Before: Final Check-In and Gear Prep

Give yourself a minute to run through this checklist:
✅ Clubs clean and organized

✅ Extra balls, gloves, tees, and ball markers packed

✅ Rangefinder charged (if allowed)

✅ Sunscreen, hat, rain gear if needed

✅ Know where to park and check in

If you can play a practice round, great. If not, no worries. You can still walk a few holes, study the layout online, or even Google Earth the course if you're a planner.

🏌️ 6. Tournament Day: You Show Up and Compete

Time to play. Most tournaments will have:

• A check-in table near the clubhouse
• Range and putting green access
• A starter or rules official on the first tee
• Scorecard or scoring instructions (paper or digital)

Once you tee off, it’s game on. Keep your pace, count every stroke, support your playing partners, and play your game.
You’ll keep your score and usually someone else’s. Be honest. Be clear. Ask if you’re unsure about a rule. It’s okay — that’s how everyone learns.

🎉 After the Round: You Submit Scores and Soak It In

You’ll either:

• Turn in a physical scorecard
• Enter your score into a scoring app
• Sign off on a fellow competitor’s card if required

Then? Grab a drink. Swap stories. Watch the leaderboard if it’s posted. Whether you shoot your best round or stumble through it, you did the thing — and that’s worth celebrating.

📢 You’re More Than Ready

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