”Everyone’s path should be as individual as their golf swing.“
Play at the appropriate level for your game.
Find the mix of tournaments for your budget.
Play where you can succeed (your current level).
Play stretch (the next level) when appropriate.
”Most folks make the mistake of running before they walk by playing in events that strain them over and over and never gain confidence.“
Playing local is okay.
Build schedule by starting with your personal “Majors”. Just like the professionals get stretched and strained at their majors, a junior golfer should schedule a few events that pressure them out of their comfort zone each year. (Depending on the length of your season, 1-4 majors per year.)
Add some “Mid-Majors”, events where you feel added pressure, but not completely out of your comfort zone. (Depending on the length of your season, 1-4 mid-majors per year.)
Fill in remainder of schedule with “preparatory events” at your level which provide opportunity to shoot lower scores and gain confidence. (Depending on the length of your season, 4-10 prep events per year.)
Play 18-hole events. Use 18-hole events to prepare for a state and national qualifiers. (Note: Many times a qualifier in college golf is only 18-holes.)
”Learning to be ready on the first tee, playing to the finish and putting a number on the board is a valuable skill.“
Improve and lower scoring average. Shoot scores that help lower a college golf team’s scoring average.