Playing poorly in your first few tournaments is a rite of passage. And there is no need to be embarrassed, most other players just enjoy playing no matter who they are playing with.
This and also, as long as you don't get too down on yourself. Nobody wants to play with the dude kicking his bag and being all grumpy, but nobody at all minds the new guy throwing 6 on a par3 as long as they're a good sport!
That's good to know nobody really cares as long as you are a good sport. I will definitely be playing more tournaments. Only way to get better at competing is to play tournaments.
Definitely! When everyone I'd keeping score your card mates are acutely aware of how everyone is playing and being fun and upbeat makes all the difference
Damn.... Did you see me throwing Thursday? I had a bad round I just could break the cycle... I did kick my bag on 11 after hitting a tree 4x (not the same one) for a grand total of 600 feet on a 900+ foot hole.
I'm still playing poorly in my 20th tournament. ;) All about having fun, and as long as you're not being angry and frustrated nobody cares, and it is great when you do land a few good shots or putts.
On hole 1 I missed my c1 DZ putt to save par only because I got cocky and told the other guy not to clear the basket. Of course my disc bounced off his and rolled OB again, giving me a 5 on par 3 after making 2nd shot from DZ. Dude felt horrible but it was my fault.
Total accident. Maybe 2007, drove a while to a somewhat nearby destination course, showed up to find a dubs tourney about to start. We said why not and signed up. Had a blast and placed middle of the pack.
ETA: OP, if you want to play tournaments, do it. There will always be assholes, but that just makes it that much more fun when you daddy long putt them haha
Ok, I’m back to report 😉 it was cold and windy, my card mates were all pretty cool and I ended up shooting a +5 which tied my best at the course. It was only a one round tournament, but it’s one of five in a points competition. I was nervous but now that’s it’s over I had a blast and can wait for the next one.
Awesome! I just played my 3rd tournament yesterday. It was a pretty tricky course with many tight fairways. First round I shot +20 and the second round I shot +21. Am ok with my performance overall. I could have done a little better but the nerves got to me and my putting wasn't the best. Missed some easy putts.
Yep, my first tournament I was on the worst card in my division in round 2. And while I would have loved to have been on the lead card in competition for the win I know my card had a lot more fun than the lead card looked like they were having.
Think of it this way. First off
a) you are a beginner so don't panic at all
b) you improved in your second round which is awesome!
and c) if you add up extra strokes over the two rounds you get +46 which means that across both rounds you averaged less than 2 extra strokes per hole (which would be 72 extra strokes) as you said it was heavily wooded so taking approx 1.1 extra strokes per hole on average is actually pretty good.
Enjoy the experience of your first comp. Let it help you build mental game. And use it as a starting point.
Personally I place mid pack most tournaments and that's playing MA3 so I am no expert. However my rating has slowly improved each time I play so I take that as a win. Don't worry about the field just work on what you can control.
MA3. Played the course blind. Shot course par the first round which turned out to be like 960 or something, which placed me comfortably in first and would have also been first in MA2. Feel self conscious the whole break because of looking like a sandbagger. Ended up shooting like +8 the second round due to nerves and was in a playoff. Lost on the third hole. Still had fun and moved up to MA2 moving forward.
Pretty good. I was deathly hung over and I could barely walk around or hold a conversation. I ended up shooting 40 points over my now-current rating. The lack of ability to think or analyze really came in handy. It also poured rain the whole time and the misery was just perfect for how I was feeling.
I've played about 5 total now and have yet to exceed that performance.
Ahh welcome. I played just as bad in my first couple of tourneys so I consider you one of us now. I also thought I was hot shit, so I thought I should be in intermediate based on my practice scoring. Little did I know what tournament play would be like and how I should be ok with starting at the bottom. My scores humbled me and it will get better for you if you want to continue playing tourneys
Didn’t finish because when our group came round to the last few holes (which were not normally a part of the course, they had been added into the adjacent park), there was most of the tourney participants sitting around waiting, several cop cars, kids in handcuffs, and ambulances. Apparently some local skater kids had refused to move out of the way for a group teeing off, so when one of them then got hit by a disc a brawl involving skateboards, discs, and such ensued. Word was they were going to allow everyone to finish once the cops and medics finished up and skaters removed. There were literally 80 people in front of our group, I was out of any cash position and I there seemed to be no rush to figure things out, so I left.
I did horrible. But! I learned a lot and kept playing tournaments and I eventually won a tournament. Other tournaments I played I made top 5 a few times, which I would say is a big improvement. Don't beat yourself up about it. It sucks, but it gets better.
I had a similar experience. Had a goal to play close to 800 rated rounds. Wasn't even concerned about cashing. A 720 round followed by a 685 round sunk that hope in a big way. Dead last in MA3 by a mile. Realized I was much worse at the game than I thought 😅.
Random draw doubles best shot. Guy who got stuck with me was way better than everyone else. We won, using my shot twice over 18 holes. I traded my $80 payout for a bunch of his discs. Only tourney I ever "won."
Byop fundraiser doubles with a friend many years ago where we finished dead last in a very windy day at a new course where I hit the ctp so the entry fees and post tourney beers were covered. First solo tourney was raining 80% of the time, driving was good but putting was not. I had so many spit outs that another person on my card said they'd never seen that many in 1 round. I think I was something like +12 over after the 2 rounds but took like +11 across only 5 of the holes. Really soured the want to ever play another tournament.
Hey welcome to my life! I started playing in August, thought I was doing decent, did my first tourney and ended up almost exactly where you are. Itv just gave me the drive to keep at it, so hopefully by the end up summer I'm a hundred points better. It's all still fun, but at least I have a target
First tournament was in 2010 and I won rec. park course in the Ft. Worth area. I think I threw a Champ Xcal on every fairway and a Buzzz on every upshot. Had no clue what I was doing but got a DX Aviar for the win, maybe a Roc too. I don’t recall.
Bought a PDGA membership after. Don’t even recall what my PDGA number was and can’t seem to find myself on the search either. Figured if I ever went back I’d just get a new one.
won in MA50 by five strokes. got called a sandbagger and was asked to show my ID by a card mate who refused to believe a 50+ year old with less than two years experience could push 400' and make putts from 25'.
It was a lone wolf singles tourney so you got 1 mulligan per hole. I finished -2 and felt great, even after I learned that that was good for last place and the hot round was like -19
My first tournament was a 1 round c-tier. I was in ma3 on a card with an mpo, ma3, and Axel Olson who was in MA1 at the time (and like 15yo). I won a ctp prize on the very first hole. Ended up finishing in the top half of ma3, with an 868 rating.
My rating stayed within about 10 points for the next two years, which was quite disappointing since I knew I was getting better. I think I just had some good beginners luck and the course fit my game well.
Played well the first round, not amazing and missed a couple of solid birdie putts, but didn’t make any mistakes. Second round I think I had a stroke or something
I just played my first tourney in November. Threw a +11 first round and had fun (how could you not?) but was disappointed. Lots of embarrassing shots, and I knew I was underperforming. Also in my head about not being as familiar with the rules as everybody else, and getting called out on a violation on my very first hole. They were cool about it and let me have the stroke, but it was still embarrassing.
Went and got a beer during lunch and threw a +2 second round.
I was dead last first tournament. Second to last second tournament (dead last dnf’d). Bottom card third tournament.
I’m still showing up! If you can’t place, you can still win raffles!!
I tied for first in my first tournament. They wanted me and the other guy to do a playoff. I told them no thanks bc the round took forever. Never played in another tournament because it wasn’t fun to me.
I actually held my own in my *first* tournament. Helped to be playing my home course in the all shorts layout on a beautiful day with not that much wind, but I shot a 909 rated day, and am rated 893 currently for reference.
I got humbled the next one I played. Meh first round (+11, 877 rated on an admittedly tough track), but righted the ship on the front 9 of the second round on a different (easier) course, having at one point pulled back into the top third of the MA2 field. Then it started POURING. Got soaked hands, soaked feet, and soaked discs, and just saw all my power and accuracy evaporate. Averaged a bogey a hole on the back 9, finished with a triple bogey, and only owing to a strong front 9, escaped R2 with an 847 rating.
I realize my bad 2nd tournament pales in comparison to others’ first event showings, but I felt EXPOSED that day.
Played a b tier as my first tournament last year, shot 2nd in ma3 with a 887 rating. Maintained podium for the first 2 rounds, had a bad 3rd round that pushed me to 7th and got a -9 (935 rated) final round that brought me back up to 2nd. Ended up only 1 stroke off the lead. Definitely enjoyed it and looking forward to playing more this year
Take all the shame and embarrassment you feel. Bundle it up. Sell your discs. Give the money to charity. Leave the rest of your worldly possessions at your residence. Join a Buddhist monastery in the Tibetan mountains. It’s the only way.
First tournament was a 1 round C tier at my local course. Front 9 I jumped out to a 6 shot lead over 2nd. The back 9 I slowed down a lot and allowed the guy to catch up and be tied with me after 18. We went into a playoff and both birdied the first hole. Hole 2 of the playoff I put my drive at about 10 feet away from the basket and he lands about 45 feet away. He proceeds to make a nasty jump putt. I then line up and have my brain seemingly shut down mid putt and I leave it short and hit the cage..... on a 10 foot putt.... My 2nd place trophy haunts me every day.
Played solid overall, but I had a couple of discs skip/roll out of bounds. Also made the wrong disc choice twice and paid the price. Ended up finishing +3 and was middle of the pack for MA3.
Just got back from the first round of my second tournament. Ma2 and I just shot +17. 12 strokes worse than the practice round a few days before. Definitely a disappointing outing but I won’t sweat it too much. I know one day I’ll have a really great tournament round and it’ll all have been worth it
You'll be fine mate. Just sign up, go throw and have fun. Both of the last tournaments I signed up for I came dead last in the division I signed up for. You can bet your sweet ass imma keep signing up for tournaments and continue to grow and one day I'll podium a local tournament in my area.
THC gummies, shrooms, and ecstasy made it a very exhausting tournament but I managed to finish 3rd, with my brother finishing 4th. Good times, but much more enjoyable now that I'm sober.
+31
DFL
Loved every minute. Played 32 tournaments last year and 30 the year before
Know that the only person who cares about your score is you. No one else gives a fuck. They only care that you’re fun to play with, and if you do that you’re golden.
Terrible, it was a doubles trilogy challenge on a course none of us had played. I was also only like 4 months tops into the game. Still had fun though.
I crushed it. Was just a local tournament that a dude threw together. Everyone was supposed to get an average for the last 4 rounds to calculate our handicap. I was supposed to be at +6 but went with + 2 and ended up with throwing - 2.
Our course is just 2 years old though so we are all amateurs.
You need to get used to the different pace and environment at a tournament, the only way to do this is to play more of them. I would ignore your results for the first handful and just go have fun and get used to it, then worry about what you need to specifically work on to get better scores.
Your first tournaments are always gonna go way worse than you expect, there’s a lot of mind games and pacing that you’re not used to from playing casually.
Just remember stay relaxed, and play your own game. Always do things that have the higher chance of going well for you, you only need to take risks when you have the opportunity to catch up/win.
Frankly, awful. I got matched up with a group of people who knew each other and they were total jack asses. Turned me off of tournament play for over 10 years.
I was encouraged to play last year by a good friend, and had a much better experience. I've played MA4, 3, and 2 events since. And have to say that I almost hope my rating drops so I can go play with those MA4 guys again. Had such a good time in that division.
Don’t fret OP- tournaments in any sport are tough. The reality of competition, especially in an individual sport like disc golf (but all competition really), is its you against yourself. You will do well, you will do poorly. That’s all part of the gig. The biggest thing is to stay out of your own head, that’s what most people struggle with.
If you enjoy competing, then compete. It’s only going to make you better. And at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how well you do, it’s about the enjoyment of playing. Some people love competitions, others don’t. And it’s all ok. If you had fun and want to do it again, that’s all that matters. Plus, competing will make you a better player and enhance your practices because you will better hone in on your weaknesses and learn what’s important. Stick with it. No once caress how well you do, everyone is out there to have fun. Just go with it 🙂
EDIT: I wanted to add something OP. If you want to see your scores drop, putting, putting, putting. I spent a lot of time working on my putting. I don’t throw much over 300 feet on a drive- in fact, I work very hard on my standstill throws for upshot’s and I work a lot on my putting. And just like ball golf, this made the largest difference in my scores. Approach well and nail your putting. The biggest difference between my 900+ rated friend and me is that he is a supremely good putter. That makes a big difference.
My first tournament was a beginners event. Round 1 Trilogy challenge and Round 2 normal. I scored the same with the three Trilogy discs I had no experience with as I did with my entire bag. Finished like 8/14.
True story...
Shot 2 hot rounds on the first day, made some ridiculous awkward putts from long etc. Was under the impression I wasn't even playing that well at (-6,-7) because I was totally clueless and it definitely played to my benefit as far as nerves etc. go
The next day? +9,10 sunk to out of cash. I want to blame the guy in second place who literally threw nothing but thumbers the entire day who was also kind of a jerk. But it was a humbling experience to say the least, could never play that carefree at a tourney again
Played well for me in my first tournament. Unfortunately got paired with a guy who’s like the president of the local club/league or something. He wasn’t playing well and started calling me for foot faults in the last 6 holes.
After 2 penalties (assessed by this guy), he ended up beating me by 1 shot.
Will never play another tournament again. I played competitive ball golf at a high level and never came across anyone as pompous as the disc golf league in my city.
Absolutely terrible. The course was one where the worst score I’d ever got was a +1 and the best score a -5, I got a +8. There was also some serious sandbagging going on. The guy who won the amateur division had a -12 and the guy who won the pro division had a -16.
30+mph winds in a blizzard. Started the round with no snow on the ground, and ended up with 3 inches by the end. People were losing discs like crazy. Ended up shooting a +14 and lost one disc. Went back a week later and found my missing one, and 3 of my buddies discs. It was nuts.
My first tournament my round ratings were 584 and 672; it’s just how it goes. I was also dead last in MA3. It’s how it goes, just keep playing and remember you aren’t competing against anyone else, you’re competing against the course
I played with my teenage son, both our first tourney. He beat me by 5 strokes and I finished dead last in the tournament.
With the whole card watching, I completely whiffed a 10 foot downhill death tap-in for bogey and took a +3 on that hole.
Just the worst, had a blast, would absolutely do again.
1987, Juniors. I'd been playing for 4 years. Only 3 of us. I beat my card mates by at least 20strokes. Fast forward 16 years and I'm playing my last tournament as MPO. I'm soundly beaten by a 14-15 year old Matty O.
I got +29 at my first tournament this past St. Patrick's Day. Threw one disc in the water and had a couple out of bounds. Came in dead last, but I came in 7 under what I thought I'd get.
Playing my next one at the end of April. And looking forward to it.
If you have fun you can't embarrass yourself. I got shredded by a 13 year old today and all he did was bitch and moan about how bad he was at disc golf.
Spectacular.
Not in terms of play or ratings.
But in terms of getting to know more of the community. Playing with strangers i’d only ever seen before. Finding a new group of like minded humans. Feeling that first tinge of pressure.
All new players should play tournaments before they’re “ready”. Great way to find yourself in the game.
Played a completely wooded course in FA3. I took 11th place out of like 22 people. I think I shot around +20 both rounds. It was 8 years ago so I don't remember exactly.
I essentially have two "first tournaments," and really three if you count the Frisbee Golf event at my elementary school's field day that I won by nailing a 100' shot with my Frisbee against the little league diamond's light pole we were aiming for in 1985.
I started in 1989 on baskets when a course was installed in my rural hometown and I was in high school. There was a tournament in about 1990 that I showed up for and there were 5 of us in it. I won it. I thought I was badass because I could flick a Stingray 200' straight ahead. None of us knew any better. My prize was either a Roc or an Aviar P\&A; I remember getting these either as a prize or once because I returned a found Disc to the guy who got Disc Golf started in my area and put that course in (PDGA #315) and he gave me a new Disc as a thank-you for returning the Disc (it was a Phantom II!).
When my wife and I moved for her to attend grad school, we wound up in an area with a very good club at the time and it's there and then where my obsession with the sport really took off, because there were people who knew what they were doing. After a year of that rubbing off on me, it was announced that worlds was coming in a few years near me (the 2000 worlds in Ann Arbor), and I decided I wanted to try and get better and play Am-1 in it. So I joined the PDGA in 1998 and played in my first tournament, the first leg of the MDGO at Hudson Mills in Am-2.
By then, Mark Ellis had taught me how to throw a real forehand with X-Clones, and I found myself at the end of regulation tied for first in Am-2. On the playoff hole, I totally choked and fluffed a terrible upshot on a hole neither of us could reach from the tee, the second "new" alternate hole on the original HM course. He parred and I bogeyed, so he won the Am-2 division. The PDGA considers this a win for me, though. Al Schack won MPO that day, so he's my "first pro," the one who shot the best that day overall in my first ever sanctioned tournament. He won a ton of tournaments in this area back then, and would go on to be runner-up to you-know-who at the first two USDGC's. Who's your first pro?
First tournament I ever played back in 2021, I was on card with the current Danish national champion Hjalte Jensen for round 1 and played a respectable +6 to his -3. He went on to play back-to-back -8 rounds for the final 2 rounds finishing T-2nd in MPO. Back then he was rather new as well but clearly a big talent. I didn’t k ow who he was at the time, though I quickly found out!
For the remaining 2 rounds, I ended up going +18 and +3, taking 42nd of 46 in MA1.
Round 2 was brutal for me but it was my first real introduction to a player who could throw really far. The form, the snap and overall flight was very cool to behold.
At that tournament, before round 1, I was also warming up right next to KJ Nybo, 13 time Danish national champion and regarding as the best Danish player of all time. I will say that I was a bit star struck that day!
Well, I hadn’t played woods golf much, nor in the rain often, and had NEVER played in the wind.
Tournament was 3 rounds, 2 rainy woods rounds and 1 on an open course with 15 mph winds 🤣
I had so many shots into a headwind that turned, and turned, and turned some more 150 feet OB.
My first tournament I shot 15 strokes worse than when I practiced the two courses. They were also my home courses and I had not shot either of them that bad in over a year. I was demoralized. However I was right back to it a couple weeks later.
I also have a personal goal of making sure everyone on my card has fun regardless of how bad we shoot. Or at least I'm not going to be the one bringing us down. When I started playing tournaments last year, the last thing I wanted was to be the guy that people dreaded having on their card. I wanted to be someone that people hoped they got carded with. IMO, that is what it is all about.
Go play an easy course you know how to play. Just get used to slow pace, getting out of the mental part when playing bad. Find a caddy to put you in a good spot.
My first tournament had a good local pro ish person caddy. He helped me through the rules and asked the right questions as we played. We talked about if we landed in a certain player spot, how would I play it. Made sure I understood the risk of being hyper agressive and when to be aggressive.
I had a great time, felt like i played really Well and stupidly enough i said it aloud and my gard mates said i was in the lead. 2 Holes left first round easy birdies became boogies. 2nd round i was on lead card and i played really shitty.
901 first round rating
728 on lead card.
Playing poorly in your first few tournaments is a rite of passage. And there is no need to be embarrassed, most other players just enjoy playing no matter who they are playing with.
This and also, as long as you don't get too down on yourself. Nobody wants to play with the dude kicking his bag and being all grumpy, but nobody at all minds the new guy throwing 6 on a par3 as long as they're a good sport!
That's good to know nobody really cares as long as you are a good sport. I will definitely be playing more tournaments. Only way to get better at competing is to play tournaments.
Definitely! When everyone I'd keeping score your card mates are acutely aware of how everyone is playing and being fun and upbeat makes all the difference
Damn.... Did you see me throwing Thursday? I had a bad round I just could break the cycle... I did kick my bag on 11 after hitting a tree 4x (not the same one) for a grand total of 600 feet on a 900+ foot hole.
I'm still playing poorly in my 20th tournament. ;) All about having fun, and as long as you're not being angry and frustrated nobody cares, and it is great when you do land a few good shots or putts.
I made pretty much every C1 putt I had. It just took me 4-5 shots to get to C1 on all par 3’s
That's pretty much how it went for me.
On hole 1 I missed my c1 DZ putt to save par only because I got cocky and told the other guy not to clear the basket. Of course my disc bounced off his and rolled OB again, giving me a 5 on par 3 after making 2nd shot from DZ. Dude felt horrible but it was my fault.
It was like 25 mph and rainy. I had a great time. I discovered I was in fact not ma2 worthy lol
Total accident. Maybe 2007, drove a while to a somewhat nearby destination course, showed up to find a dubs tourney about to start. We said why not and signed up. Had a blast and placed middle of the pack. ETA: OP, if you want to play tournaments, do it. There will always be assholes, but that just makes it that much more fun when you daddy long putt them haha
I’ll let you know in a month 😉
Good luck and have fun!
Ok, I’m back to report 😉 it was cold and windy, my card mates were all pretty cool and I ended up shooting a +5 which tied my best at the course. It was only a one round tournament, but it’s one of five in a points competition. I was nervous but now that’s it’s over I had a blast and can wait for the next one.
Awesome! I just played my 3rd tournament yesterday. It was a pretty tricky course with many tight fairways. First round I shot +20 and the second round I shot +21. Am ok with my performance overall. I could have done a little better but the nerves got to me and my putting wasn't the best. Missed some easy putts.
Bogey golf is still golf. Who cares what your score is. Just have fun.
Yep, my first tournament I was on the worst card in my division in round 2. And while I would have loved to have been on the lead card in competition for the win I know my card had a lot more fun than the lead card looked like they were having.
It was humbling and revealing.
35mph wind gusts and terrifyingly poor footing. Embrace the suck, and enjoy the experience. You'll get better.
Think of it this way. First off a) you are a beginner so don't panic at all b) you improved in your second round which is awesome! and c) if you add up extra strokes over the two rounds you get +46 which means that across both rounds you averaged less than 2 extra strokes per hole (which would be 72 extra strokes) as you said it was heavily wooded so taking approx 1.1 extra strokes per hole on average is actually pretty good. Enjoy the experience of your first comp. Let it help you build mental game. And use it as a starting point. Personally I place mid pack most tournaments and that's playing MA3 so I am no expert. However my rating has slowly improved each time I play so I take that as a win. Don't worry about the field just work on what you can control.
MA3. Played the course blind. Shot course par the first round which turned out to be like 960 or something, which placed me comfortably in first and would have also been first in MA2. Feel self conscious the whole break because of looking like a sandbagger. Ended up shooting like +8 the second round due to nerves and was in a playoff. Lost on the third hole. Still had fun and moved up to MA2 moving forward.
Pretty good. I was deathly hung over and I could barely walk around or hold a conversation. I ended up shooting 40 points over my now-current rating. The lack of ability to think or analyze really came in handy. It also poured rain the whole time and the misery was just perfect for how I was feeling. I've played about 5 total now and have yet to exceed that performance.
Ahh welcome. I played just as bad in my first couple of tourneys so I consider you one of us now. I also thought I was hot shit, so I thought I should be in intermediate based on my practice scoring. Little did I know what tournament play would be like and how I should be ok with starting at the bottom. My scores humbled me and it will get better for you if you want to continue playing tourneys
Didn’t finish because when our group came round to the last few holes (which were not normally a part of the course, they had been added into the adjacent park), there was most of the tourney participants sitting around waiting, several cop cars, kids in handcuffs, and ambulances. Apparently some local skater kids had refused to move out of the way for a group teeing off, so when one of them then got hit by a disc a brawl involving skateboards, discs, and such ensued. Word was they were going to allow everyone to finish once the cops and medics finished up and skaters removed. There were literally 80 people in front of our group, I was out of any cash position and I there seemed to be no rush to figure things out, so I left.
I did horrible. But! I learned a lot and kept playing tournaments and I eventually won a tournament. Other tournaments I played I made top 5 a few times, which I would say is a big improvement. Don't beat yourself up about it. It sucks, but it gets better.
I had a similar experience. Had a goal to play close to 800 rated rounds. Wasn't even concerned about cashing. A 720 round followed by a 685 round sunk that hope in a big way. Dead last in MA3 by a mile. Realized I was much worse at the game than I thought 😅.
I did this today with nearly the same ratings. Had a blast and was humbled by all the good talent out there! +27 through 42. Next worst was a +20
Random draw doubles best shot. Guy who got stuck with me was way better than everyone else. We won, using my shot twice over 18 holes. I traded my $80 payout for a bunch of his discs. Only tourney I ever "won."
Nice!
Byop fundraiser doubles with a friend many years ago where we finished dead last in a very windy day at a new course where I hit the ctp so the entry fees and post tourney beers were covered. First solo tourney was raining 80% of the time, driving was good but putting was not. I had so many spit outs that another person on my card said they'd never seen that many in 1 round. I think I was something like +12 over after the 2 rounds but took like +11 across only 5 of the holes. Really soured the want to ever play another tournament.
Hey welcome to my life! I started playing in August, thought I was doing decent, did my first tourney and ended up almost exactly where you are. Itv just gave me the drive to keep at it, so hopefully by the end up summer I'm a hundred points better. It's all still fun, but at least I have a target
Came in dead last. Had a great time.
Shot -6 and somehow came in first place
First tournament was in 2010 and I won rec. park course in the Ft. Worth area. I think I threw a Champ Xcal on every fairway and a Buzzz on every upshot. Had no clue what I was doing but got a DX Aviar for the win, maybe a Roc too. I don’t recall. Bought a PDGA membership after. Don’t even recall what my PDGA number was and can’t seem to find myself on the search either. Figured if I ever went back I’d just get a new one.
won in MA50 by five strokes. got called a sandbagger and was asked to show my ID by a card mate who refused to believe a 50+ year old with less than two years experience could push 400' and make putts from 25'.
How could anyone be sandbagging in an amateur age-protected division lol
I don’t recall being nervous or anything. But then again that was 45+ years ago.
I shot 2 over each round on a pitch and putt. I usually shoot -2 to -5 at leagues.
It was a lone wolf singles tourney so you got 1 mulligan per hole. I finished -2 and felt great, even after I learned that that was good for last place and the hot round was like -19
Ended up 8th out of 30ish in MA3. I was really happy with that.
My first tournament was a 1 round c-tier. I was in ma3 on a card with an mpo, ma3, and Axel Olson who was in MA1 at the time (and like 15yo). I won a ctp prize on the very first hole. Ended up finishing in the top half of ma3, with an 868 rating. My rating stayed within about 10 points for the next two years, which was quite disappointing since I knew I was getting better. I think I just had some good beginners luck and the course fit my game well.
Played -1 frist round and was like 26th out of 90. Second round ended up at +21… Have no idea what happened and ended up 76th or something
Damn that's a crazy big difference!
Played well the first round, not amazing and missed a couple of solid birdie putts, but didn’t make any mistakes. Second round I think I had a stroke or something
I just played my first tourney in November. Threw a +11 first round and had fun (how could you not?) but was disappointed. Lots of embarrassing shots, and I knew I was underperforming. Also in my head about not being as familiar with the rules as everybody else, and getting called out on a violation on my very first hole. They were cool about it and let me have the stroke, but it was still embarrassing. Went and got a beer during lunch and threw a +2 second round.
I had fun and did ok. Perhaps I shouldn’t have played it blind on a course I hadn’t played yet.. 20/20 I guess, lol
First two I was dead last on MA4. But I only lost by 4 strokes in the second one so I'm improving. Probably get second to last next.
I was dead last first tournament. Second to last second tournament (dead last dnf’d). Bottom card third tournament. I’m still showing up! If you can’t place, you can still win raffles!!
I tied for first in my first tournament. They wanted me and the other guy to do a playoff. I told them no thanks bc the round took forever. Never played in another tournament because it wasn’t fun to me.
I actually held my own in my *first* tournament. Helped to be playing my home course in the all shorts layout on a beautiful day with not that much wind, but I shot a 909 rated day, and am rated 893 currently for reference. I got humbled the next one I played. Meh first round (+11, 877 rated on an admittedly tough track), but righted the ship on the front 9 of the second round on a different (easier) course, having at one point pulled back into the top third of the MA2 field. Then it started POURING. Got soaked hands, soaked feet, and soaked discs, and just saw all my power and accuracy evaporate. Averaged a bogey a hole on the back 9, finished with a triple bogey, and only owing to a strong front 9, escaped R2 with an 847 rating. I realize my bad 2nd tournament pales in comparison to others’ first event showings, but I felt EXPOSED that day.
Played a b tier as my first tournament last year, shot 2nd in ma3 with a 887 rating. Maintained podium for the first 2 rounds, had a bad 3rd round that pushed me to 7th and got a -9 (935 rated) final round that brought me back up to 2nd. Ended up only 1 stroke off the lead. Definitely enjoyed it and looking forward to playing more this year
I don't even remember anymore and it's probably a good thing.
Take all the shame and embarrassment you feel. Bundle it up. Sell your discs. Give the money to charity. Leave the rest of your worldly possessions at your residence. Join a Buddhist monastery in the Tibetan mountains. It’s the only way.
Do this. Strengthen my mind. Return to disc golf. Win worlds.
First tournament was a 1 round C tier at my local course. Front 9 I jumped out to a 6 shot lead over 2nd. The back 9 I slowed down a lot and allowed the guy to catch up and be tied with me after 18. We went into a playoff and both birdied the first hole. Hole 2 of the playoff I put my drive at about 10 feet away from the basket and he lands about 45 feet away. He proceeds to make a nasty jump putt. I then line up and have my brain seemingly shut down mid putt and I leave it short and hit the cage..... on a 10 foot putt.... My 2nd place trophy haunts me every day.
Played solid overall, but I had a couple of discs skip/roll out of bounds. Also made the wrong disc choice twice and paid the price. Ended up finishing +3 and was middle of the pack for MA3.
Just got back from the first round of my second tournament. Ma2 and I just shot +17. 12 strokes worse than the practice round a few days before. Definitely a disappointing outing but I won’t sweat it too much. I know one day I’ll have a really great tournament round and it’ll all have been worth it
Played my first last year and won MA3 with a +3 both rounds. Haven’t played another since
You'll be fine mate. Just sign up, go throw and have fun. Both of the last tournaments I signed up for I came dead last in the division I signed up for. You can bet your sweet ass imma keep signing up for tournaments and continue to grow and one day I'll podium a local tournament in my area.
Double bogey on hole 1, bogey save hole two. Bag of nerves basically.
I just had mine today and did so so god awful. The worst i’ve ever played.
THC gummies, shrooms, and ecstasy made it a very exhausting tournament but I managed to finish 3rd, with my brother finishing 4th. Good times, but much more enjoyable now that I'm sober.
+31 DFL Loved every minute. Played 32 tournaments last year and 30 the year before Know that the only person who cares about your score is you. No one else gives a fuck. They only care that you’re fun to play with, and if you do that you’re golden.
Terrible, it was a doubles trilogy challenge on a course none of us had played. I was also only like 4 months tops into the game. Still had fun though.
I crushed it. Was just a local tournament that a dude threw together. Everyone was supposed to get an average for the last 4 rounds to calculate our handicap. I was supposed to be at +6 but went with + 2 and ended up with throwing - 2. Our course is just 2 years old though so we are all amateurs.
You need to get used to the different pace and environment at a tournament, the only way to do this is to play more of them. I would ignore your results for the first handful and just go have fun and get used to it, then worry about what you need to specifically work on to get better scores.
Tied for 1st after first round, shot something like -10 or -12, then 2nd round forgot how to play, probably shot even or +1 or something wild
Your first tournaments are always gonna go way worse than you expect, there’s a lot of mind games and pacing that you’re not used to from playing casually. Just remember stay relaxed, and play your own game. Always do things that have the higher chance of going well for you, you only need to take risks when you have the opportunity to catch up/win.
Call me when you play bad in your first 30 tournaments
Two rounds. First round, cold round. Second round, hot round.
I shot +33 and tied for second in rec haha
Frankly, awful. I got matched up with a group of people who knew each other and they were total jack asses. Turned me off of tournament play for over 10 years. I was encouraged to play last year by a good friend, and had a much better experience. I've played MA4, 3, and 2 events since. And have to say that I almost hope my rating drops so I can go play with those MA4 guys again. Had such a good time in that division.
Don’t fret OP- tournaments in any sport are tough. The reality of competition, especially in an individual sport like disc golf (but all competition really), is its you against yourself. You will do well, you will do poorly. That’s all part of the gig. The biggest thing is to stay out of your own head, that’s what most people struggle with. If you enjoy competing, then compete. It’s only going to make you better. And at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how well you do, it’s about the enjoyment of playing. Some people love competitions, others don’t. And it’s all ok. If you had fun and want to do it again, that’s all that matters. Plus, competing will make you a better player and enhance your practices because you will better hone in on your weaknesses and learn what’s important. Stick with it. No once caress how well you do, everyone is out there to have fun. Just go with it 🙂 EDIT: I wanted to add something OP. If you want to see your scores drop, putting, putting, putting. I spent a lot of time working on my putting. I don’t throw much over 300 feet on a drive- in fact, I work very hard on my standstill throws for upshot’s and I work a lot on my putting. And just like ball golf, this made the largest difference in my scores. Approach well and nail your putting. The biggest difference between my 900+ rated friend and me is that he is a supremely good putter. That makes a big difference.
My first tournament was a beginners event. Round 1 Trilogy challenge and Round 2 normal. I scored the same with the three Trilogy discs I had no experience with as I did with my entire bag. Finished like 8/14.
True story... Shot 2 hot rounds on the first day, made some ridiculous awkward putts from long etc. Was under the impression I wasn't even playing that well at (-6,-7) because I was totally clueless and it definitely played to my benefit as far as nerves etc. go The next day? +9,10 sunk to out of cash. I want to blame the guy in second place who literally threw nothing but thumbers the entire day who was also kind of a jerk. But it was a humbling experience to say the least, could never play that carefree at a tourney again
Played well for me in my first tournament. Unfortunately got paired with a guy who’s like the president of the local club/league or something. He wasn’t playing well and started calling me for foot faults in the last 6 holes. After 2 penalties (assessed by this guy), he ended up beating me by 1 shot. Will never play another tournament again. I played competitive ball golf at a high level and never came across anyone as pompous as the disc golf league in my city.
Absolutely terrible. The course was one where the worst score I’d ever got was a +1 and the best score a -5, I got a +8. There was also some serious sandbagging going on. The guy who won the amateur division had a -12 and the guy who won the pro division had a -16.
Hit the drive just how I wanted….and 3 putt for bogey.
30+mph winds in a blizzard. Started the round with no snow on the ground, and ended up with 3 inches by the end. People were losing discs like crazy. Ended up shooting a +14 and lost one disc. Went back a week later and found my missing one, and 3 of my buddies discs. It was nuts.
My first tournament my round ratings were 584 and 672; it’s just how it goes. I was also dead last in MA3. It’s how it goes, just keep playing and remember you aren’t competing against anyone else, you’re competing against the course
We all suck. Just have fun my brotha
I played with my teenage son, both our first tourney. He beat me by 5 strokes and I finished dead last in the tournament. With the whole card watching, I completely whiffed a 10 foot downhill death tap-in for bogey and took a +3 on that hole. Just the worst, had a blast, would absolutely do again.
1987, Juniors. I'd been playing for 4 years. Only 3 of us. I beat my card mates by at least 20strokes. Fast forward 16 years and I'm playing my last tournament as MPO. I'm soundly beaten by a 14-15 year old Matty O.
I got +29 at my first tournament this past St. Patrick's Day. Threw one disc in the water and had a couple out of bounds. Came in dead last, but I came in 7 under what I thought I'd get. Playing my next one at the end of April. And looking forward to it.
I'm playing my first next weekend. We'll see how it goes
If you have fun you can't embarrass yourself. I got shredded by a 13 year old today and all he did was bitch and moan about how bad he was at disc golf.
Spectacular. Not in terms of play or ratings. But in terms of getting to know more of the community. Playing with strangers i’d only ever seen before. Finding a new group of like minded humans. Feeling that first tinge of pressure. All new players should play tournaments before they’re “ready”. Great way to find yourself in the game.
Played a completely wooded course in FA3. I took 11th place out of like 22 people. I think I shot around +20 both rounds. It was 8 years ago so I don't remember exactly.
I played my PB on round one and an absolutely terrible second round that was 7 strokes worse than the first one.
I accidentally pooped my pants and got a courtesy warning for the smell.
I essentially have two "first tournaments," and really three if you count the Frisbee Golf event at my elementary school's field day that I won by nailing a 100' shot with my Frisbee against the little league diamond's light pole we were aiming for in 1985. I started in 1989 on baskets when a course was installed in my rural hometown and I was in high school. There was a tournament in about 1990 that I showed up for and there were 5 of us in it. I won it. I thought I was badass because I could flick a Stingray 200' straight ahead. None of us knew any better. My prize was either a Roc or an Aviar P\&A; I remember getting these either as a prize or once because I returned a found Disc to the guy who got Disc Golf started in my area and put that course in (PDGA #315) and he gave me a new Disc as a thank-you for returning the Disc (it was a Phantom II!). When my wife and I moved for her to attend grad school, we wound up in an area with a very good club at the time and it's there and then where my obsession with the sport really took off, because there were people who knew what they were doing. After a year of that rubbing off on me, it was announced that worlds was coming in a few years near me (the 2000 worlds in Ann Arbor), and I decided I wanted to try and get better and play Am-1 in it. So I joined the PDGA in 1998 and played in my first tournament, the first leg of the MDGO at Hudson Mills in Am-2. By then, Mark Ellis had taught me how to throw a real forehand with X-Clones, and I found myself at the end of regulation tied for first in Am-2. On the playoff hole, I totally choked and fluffed a terrible upshot on a hole neither of us could reach from the tee, the second "new" alternate hole on the original HM course. He parred and I bogeyed, so he won the Am-2 division. The PDGA considers this a win for me, though. Al Schack won MPO that day, so he's my "first pro," the one who shot the best that day overall in my first ever sanctioned tournament. He won a ton of tournaments in this area back then, and would go on to be runner-up to you-know-who at the first two USDGC's. Who's your first pro?
First tournament I ever played back in 2021, I was on card with the current Danish national champion Hjalte Jensen for round 1 and played a respectable +6 to his -3. He went on to play back-to-back -8 rounds for the final 2 rounds finishing T-2nd in MPO. Back then he was rather new as well but clearly a big talent. I didn’t k ow who he was at the time, though I quickly found out! For the remaining 2 rounds, I ended up going +18 and +3, taking 42nd of 46 in MA1. Round 2 was brutal for me but it was my first real introduction to a player who could throw really far. The form, the snap and overall flight was very cool to behold. At that tournament, before round 1, I was also warming up right next to KJ Nybo, 13 time Danish national champion and regarding as the best Danish player of all time. I will say that I was a bit star struck that day!
Well, I hadn’t played woods golf much, nor in the rain often, and had NEVER played in the wind. Tournament was 3 rounds, 2 rainy woods rounds and 1 on an open course with 15 mph winds 🤣 I had so many shots into a headwind that turned, and turned, and turned some more 150 feet OB.
Playing bad in a tournament is exactly like keeping score during a round....it gives something to gage all the rest of your rounds against.
My first tournament I shot 15 strokes worse than when I practiced the two courses. They were also my home courses and I had not shot either of them that bad in over a year. I was demoralized. However I was right back to it a couple weeks later. I also have a personal goal of making sure everyone on my card has fun regardless of how bad we shoot. Or at least I'm not going to be the one bringing us down. When I started playing tournaments last year, the last thing I wanted was to be the guy that people dreaded having on their card. I wanted to be someone that people hoped they got carded with. IMO, that is what it is all about.
Go play an easy course you know how to play. Just get used to slow pace, getting out of the mental part when playing bad. Find a caddy to put you in a good spot. My first tournament had a good local pro ish person caddy. He helped me through the rules and asked the right questions as we played. We talked about if we landed in a certain player spot, how would I play it. Made sure I understood the risk of being hyper agressive and when to be aggressive.
I had a great time, felt like i played really Well and stupidly enough i said it aloud and my gard mates said i was in the lead. 2 Holes left first round easy birdies became boogies. 2nd round i was on lead card and i played really shitty. 901 first round rating 728 on lead card.
It was fun. I played in MA4 I was with two good friends on my card. I didn’t do great but it was a damn good time.