different way of playing this game

Question
hello.  i am 16 years old and i play golf for high school.  i shoot in high 30s and low 40s on par 36, nine holes.  i recently shot 2 under par and i am feeling a little better with my putter.  in our league, there is a team that is VERY intimidating.  all six of their players can easily shoot under par.  they wear black, they are all very big and they can hit the ball at least 290 yards consistnelty.  they are all well equipped as they have bags, shoes, rainjackets, two shirts and etc.  also, for some reason, they pop up their collars which in a little way is goofy, preppy but yet a little intimidating.  we try to play our own game but its difficult not to get intimidated.  we are putting extra pressure on ourselves as we know that we have a chance to beat them.  i would like to look a little more intimidating as i do not hit my ball a long way as they do.  could you give me tips regarding this matter?  what can we do to look a little more intimidating?

Answer
Hello Tommy.  Let me start by listing the things you have no control over.
1.  How far an opponent hits the ball.
2.  What he wears and how he acts.

And here are the things you can have some influence over:
1.  What part of your game you emphasize.
2.  How you allow yourself to react to what others do.
3.  The image you present to others.

I can say there are a couple things that tend to deflate an opponent.
1.  Seeing my opponent's ball on the green when it's my turn to hit.
2.  Feeling that my opponent can and will get it up and down if he misses a green.

I would suggest you and your teammates concentrate more on the short game.  And do this by setting up competitions that put your short games under pressure.  When I coached high school and junior college golf I would do two things to toughen my player's games under pressure.  

Practice rounds between matches would determine who would play in those matches and at least one round per week I would have my players play in twos and each scramble two balls from their worst shots.  If you've never done this, it's quite a challenge to break 40 for nine holes as each shot you play you pick the worst of the two and play from there until the ball is holed.

Also, in normal practice rounds, play would be in 3's so that at the conclusion of each hole, the players would pick a chip or pitch situation and see who could shoot the best "up and down" score for nine holes.

These variations in practice are designed to create mental toughness and go along way in preparing one for competition.

So, Tommy, work on those things you have some control over and don't get caught up trying to control the things you can't.

I hope this was helpful.  Way to go on the 2-under par.  Now that you've proven you can do it, start expecting to repeat it and your game will become intimidating in and of itself.

Fairways and Greens,

John
www.golfnutts.com