Is it match or medal play?  If it's medal    play the course not your opponent and that should relieve some of the stress, if it's match  play it one hole at a time and remember one big number is only  a lost hole  also assume your opponent will make everything.   remember this is still a team aggregate score so you are not carrying the whole squad.     remember to have fun along the way.

Hi Matthew,

When I was a teenager (not too long ago) I played for my club's junior team, this was a great experience and made me realise that matchplay is very different from strokeplay, you can have that bad hole and still recover quite easily, only one hole at a time. Even more so than strokeplay it's important to let that bad shot go, each hole is a new challenge/chance. Just play your own game, make the best score you can on each hole, that's why you were picked, they wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't good enough! I also played at university here in the UK and yes there was pressure, but I found that if I just got off that first tee ok I was happy, really its just another game after that, you'll get into the rhythm as normal. If you have a "go to club" whether it be driver or 3 wood, hit that one off the first tee, that's what monty did at the belfry in the ryder cup (3 wood 300 yards, and he couldn't hit his driver that far!! I think they call it adrenaline!) and that's what I try and do - normally my Driver funnily enough. The most important thing, and I mean the really crucial thing....Have FUN! That's what its all about!!

Good luck and enjoy, let us all know how it goes!

Dan

matt, you'll hear this a lot, practice your putting first, than your shots from 100 yards in.  don't keep hitting  the same shot, always hole out with one ball. pick a spot somewhere around the green and get it up and down. your chipping stroke will improve your full swing stroke. watch better players on your team and try to learn from them. good luck

Have Fun!  Slow things down and take 1 shot at a time. And remember there are 1 billion people who don't care if you make the putt or not.

HAVE FUN

Matthew H:

First of all good luck!!!  The most stress you'll feel will be on the 1st tee.  On that 1st shot stick to your pre-shot routine and swing as hard as you can under control.  Don't try to guide the ball.  Trust your full speed swing.

On the putting green make sure you stay aggressive.  Don't get in the habit of coming up short on your putts.  Always try to knock it past the hole.  If you miss make sure you watch the break as the ball goes past the hole.  It will your putt coming back a lot easier.

During the round you'll have some ups and downs.   It happens to everyone.  Don't get frustrated.  Keep trying your best and put everything you have in to every shot.  I can't tell you how many times I played poorly only to find out at the end that everyone else was playing poorly too.  So one or two wasted shots end up being the difference in winning or placing.

That's plenty for now.  Have fun and good luck. 

Congratulations on making your team.  All I would say is trust your swing, and visualize a positive outcome for each shot.  It sound corny but if you get your mind in you "happy place" and see the shot before you swing you'll be relaxed and execute.  Don't worry about the pressure; you'll do great. Good Luck Matt.  Let us know how it goes.

Understand that you have an opportunity that other players would love to have. It's going to be really fun!

Understand that you have an opportunity to learn how your game responds in pressure situations.

Understand that in the grand scheme of life, it's just a tournament against players feeling like you are feeling.  Be a showoff but don't go to far!  :)

Matthew

All great advice here. Keep us posted on the match.

 Good Luck

Deno

Make sure that you have fun!  My first match in the fall, you feel some pressure, just make sure you stay confident.  Once again make sure you HAVE FUN!!!!!!

Ben

Just go out there, have fun & do your best. Take it one shot at a time and you'll be fine.

:-)

Matthew,

   High school golf is very interesting. You have to play against the course, play against your opponent, and play for your team.  And it is one of the most intense anf FUN things you will ever do!  You may feel some pressure on the 1st tee, but realize that you played well enough to qualify for the team!  My best advice for you is swallow those butterflies in your stomach, and "grip it and rip it!"  Have fun, play competetivley, and enjoy the experience!  Good luck and let us know how the match goes!

Jason Grothman