Playing My Second Round of Golf

Hopefully you have read my other two previous blog posts about re-establishing my golf handicap. If you haven’t yet, you can find them both here.

Well, round two is now in the bag, so there is only one more to go until I can finally establish my handicap again. It is starting to get VERY real.

This round was played at Collier Park Golf Course in Como, and it definitely delivered even more lessons. While the round itself was enjoyable, playing 18 holes of competitive golf on another hot 30+C degree day brings its own challenges.

One thing that quickly became clear is that competitive golf requires more than just a good swing. Organisation, preparation and concentration all play a huge role.

Getting Back Into Competitive Golf

As mentioned in my previous post here on That Golf Stuff, I’m currently working through the process of re-establishing my official golf handicap after a 20-year break from competitive golf.

While I’ve played casual rounds over the years, I am finding that returning to structured competitive rounds is very different.

Everything from scorekeeping to concentration over four hours requires a different mindset. I am exhausted after 18 holes!

The Round Itself

Firstly, I want to share that overall, it was an enjoyable round. Which is pretty important as no-one wants to be under pressure for over four hours and not have some enjoyment.

However, playing 4.5 hours in the middle of a very hot day definitely tested both concentration and energy levels. Note to self: choose the earlier games in Summer in Perth.

One thing that stood out quickly is that 18 holes of competitive golf is mentally demanding. Unlike social golf, where you might relax between shots, have a catchup with friends, competitive golf require continuous focus.

Key Lessons I Learned from Round Two

Here’s what surprised me most from this round.

Lesson 1 – Hydration Matters More Than You Think

One of the biggest factors during this round was staying hydrated.

The heat makes it much harder to maintain energy levels and concentration across an entire round.

Taking an esky filled with drinks turned out to be a great idea and something I’ll definitely continue doing in future rounds. I will share with you what esky/cooler I end up buying and why.

It sounds simple, but having easy access to cold drinks made a huge difference. I even found myself thinking more and more about having an ice cold drink once I had finished.

Lesson 2 – Organisation Helps Your Game

Something else I noticed while playing with other golfers was how organised they were.

They had everything ready:

gloves
tees
rangefinder
drinks
scorecards

I saw and experienced that being organised helps keep the round flowing and also reduces unnecessary distractions. Which I need less of…

It’s a small thing, but it definitely makes the whole experience smoother.

What I Enjoyed Most

Another Round Completed

The biggest positive was simply completing another round (my second) towards (re)establishing my golf handicap.

It is definitely satisfying knowing that each round of golf brings me closer to being fully back into competitive golf.

The Course Conditions

Collier Park was in great condition, which made the round even more enjoyable. There is lots of research that supports being out in nature for mental health, physical health and general wellbeing.

Whilst is was really hot, the greens were rolled well and the fairways were lush and in excellent condition. And there was some shade from the trees, although time in the shade is minimal when you need to be focused on your next golf shot.

Tips If You’re Returning to Competitive Golf

If you’re trying to get your handicap back after a long break, here are a few practical tips from what I have experienced so far.

• Stay hydrated, especially on hot days (I can highly recommend a Yeti – mine keeps icy cold all day)
• Bring enough drinks for the full round (will be getting that cooler very soon)
• Stay organised with your gear (set up the night before)
• Spend 10 minutes minimum before the game getting into the right mindset. You need to expect competitive rounds to require more focus than social golf

These small things make a big difference over 18 holes.