Golfdirt

Golf Competition Preparation Checklist

March 9, 2008 – 9:21 am | by Golfdirt

You have a golf tournament tomorrow. You’re excited and need a bit of help to make sure you’ve got everything and your golf swing prepared and ready to go. Can’t do much about your golf swing, but this checklist may help you with the rest:

• Clean your clubs! Pay particular attention to clearing out the grooves of all crud and cleaning your grips (warm soapy water does wonders at removing dirt and oils and getting grips tacky again).
• Count your clubs. Make sure you don’t exceed the 14-club maximum.
• Organize your clubs the way you want them. They sometimes get “rearranged” during play; reorganizing also helps ensure that you indeed have all the clubs you’re supposed to have.
• Check your golf balls. Replenish your supply as needed. Place your standard identifying mark(s) on new balls.
• Check your tees and replenish as needed. Some like to carry tees of varying lengths; if that’s you, check that you’ve got them all.
• Check your ball markers/coins used as ball markers.
• Check your pitch mark repair tool.
• Check that you have pencils for keeping score.
• Check that you have a fresh golf bag towel (and any other towels you may like to carry).
• Clean your golf shoes. Check the laces and replace as needed. Check the cleats; tighten or replace.
• Go over your clothing. Make sure you meet the dress code, if any (when in doubt, stick with conservative and traditional — slacks, tuck in shirt with collar).
• Check your cap/hat, if you wear one. You may want to pack a spare.
• Check your golf glove. Replace if needed. A spare is a good idea.
• If it’ll be sunny, make sure you have SPF-whatever sunblock.
• If there’s a chance of rain, you may want to check that you have:
  • umbrella
  • replacement socks
  • wet weather golf glove
  • bag cover
  • extra towels
• Pack adequate drinks and nourishment (e.g., water; Gatorade; energy drinks; energy bars; box of raisins; etc. etc. etc.)

I think that about covers the basics. Let me know if I missed anything please.

Some of the optionals:

• Make sure you know where the course is and how to get there!
• Check that your car’s all fueled up.
• Double check your tee time.
• Confirm who your playing partners are if already known.
• Check any pre-play requirements (registration, warm-up instructions, etc.)
• Get a course planner or map of the course you’ll be playing and study it.
• Check that all fees (entry fee, greens fee, membership fee, etc.), if any, are all paid, or that you bring enough with you to pay them.

Now get some sleep. Good luck!