a different style of golf.

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
Hey Tommy,

I know a little bit about what you're going through.  I played golf and graduated from a small university down south.  We had good players, but there were always bigger schools that were better equipped.  We never much let it bother us, though, and there were plenty of times when we beat the guys with matching rain jackets, etc.  The black, the collars, etc. are just things to intimidate you and the other competitors, but it sounds like it's working.  You're concerned about these guys before you tee it up.  You guys just keep working hard and playing smart golf and things will take care of themselves. Remember, in a tournament your not competing against anyone but yourself.  You're goal should be to focus on each shot, each hole and try to hit the best shot you can each time you swing.  Ultimately you're just putting your ability to manage the course against other people's ability to do the same thing on the same day.  The best way to intimidate these guys is to start beating them. You do that, and I assure you that no matter how nice their gear is, they'll be intimidated by you.

Good luck.  Practice hard.

John