If this should be posted some other place please move it. I have been playing for about 7 years now and like to think I am a decent player. would guess, since I don't have an offical handicap that I am around a 10 (low 80's player). I would like to get in to a more competitive arena and start playing tournaments. I don't expect to win but would like to know if there is tourny where I could play with others around my skill level. To be hones I have no idea where to start. any advice would be great. Also any pointers on how to prepare for a tourny would be helpful

thanks

Check your local golf clubs for any local golf magazines or newspapers. Sometimes they will show a local amateur tournament schedule and contact info. Also, google your city's golf association if it has one. There should be a list of events and how to enter on the association website.

I'd recommend you start out with some local match play events. Usually, there are flights that pair similar golfers. Being competitive is incredibly enjoyable and rewarding.

I would look at the following "tours"

1. egolf amatuer tour, i have played their over the past couple of years, great group, big feild in my area, and flight you by hcaps.
http://www.amateurgolftour.net/

2. Golf Galaxy tour,
3. Golf channel tour

just a few options.

I recommend you find a local municipal or public daily fee golf course that has a "men's club." For a small annual fee ($60-120) you will be able to establish an official handicap and be able to play in the club events. Depends on the course, but most offer a couple of stroke play tournaments each month along with other events (team events, skins games, etc).

Once you have an established handicap, you can look for other local amateur tournaments sponsored by the state golf association or local city championships, etc.

Tell us where you live, someone may have some more specific suggestions.

Here in New York there are District Golf Associations..... each of them have websites and any of their tournaments are listed ( http://www.syracusegolf.org/ )..... see if your area is covered by a similar organization and start your research there....

I live in Portland OR. so probably no Tournys until about May I would guess

all those are great ideas thanks. one last thing is there a on-line handicap calculator that is free? I would like to start recording scores and I don't know if there is a men's club starting any time soon.

tjy355 nailed it....join a club...go to the oregon golf assoc for ideas: www.oga.org


BTW: your active season in Oregon is Mar 1 - Nov 30. Only scores from an active season can be posted for Handicap purposes. So save up to your most recent 20 scores with the corresponding dates so that you can post those scores when you join a club. Talk to the Pro or Handicap Chairman and they will help you get those scores adjusted and posted correctly so that you will be able to get off to a fast start.

Most clubs have tournaments all season long as well.

http://www.exploreoregongolf.com/oregon-go...er.php?region=9

There are all sorts of "traveling" leagues in So Cal. These are leagues/clubs without a home course. Your local pro shops and/or golf stores will know about them, and you probably can find them on Google. I really enjoy playing tournaments - it adds a new dimension to playing.

You should join the USGA or the local version of it - someplace where you can submit scores and get a handicap. The tourneys and clubs will want you to have a sanctioned handicap. I am a member of the plga and I can submit on-line to it for handicap purposes, but all of our courses have computers on-site to submit which is the easiest way to do it after the round.

Interesting...being a Texas folk (and one that doesn't get out much), I never heard of that. And when someone in Oregon assoc. travels to a good weather location to play in winter, those scores *should* be posted.

OGA Article on posting scores in winter

Rose City, 73rd and Tillamook. Great mens Club, and a great money game on Thursday afternoons. But you NEED to join a mens club and establish an official handicap.