league tournament

Question
QUESTION: hello and thank you in advance.  i am 16 years old and i am a junior in high school.  our golf team is great this year and we will be going to a big tournament for california.  if we do well, we may advance to have a shot at winning the states.  all of us are excited.  during the season, i was able to accomplish things are shooting 2 under par on par 72 in tough condition.  i shot several 2 over and 3 over.  one day, i even hit 9 over on 9 holes.  there is a big gap and a lack of consistency. i want to perform my best during the tournament.  is there a thought that i could have to keep me focused and calm?  also, what should i do to prepare for the tournament?  thank you in advance for your help and i will make sure rate your answer when i get the chance to do so.
ANSWER: Hello,

Good news and bad. First the bad. There is no quick way to improve your focus and consistency. It takes time. Just like there is no new quick stroke that will fix a swing problem. You will need to work to gain the consistency. That is what it takes to "own" anything.

Good news. There are a few things you can do that would help, but not fix, your inconsistency. During competition stay as externally focused as possible. Be observing what is going on around you. When it is time to plan your next shot take in everything that is important for the shot. Then narrow this down to only the target, very specific target, and the feel of a great shot. Then focus gently on the target, feel the shot. Now take the shot. After the shot, good or bad, move on and think of external aspects of where you are. Sometimes this thought helps, "I'm glad I'm here, I'm glad your here, I know what to do and I will do it." Over and over. Then go back to what is around you. Not the thinking of it just pay attention to it. Being outside your head makes it harder for you to think stupid stuff and get tense or mess up your breathing.

But for the long run you will need to really own a solid pre-shot routine and make it work for every shot.

Bob Phillips, Ph.D. Sport Psychologist

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you very much for your advice.  i also forgot to mention that i can get VERY angry on the course.  i may push myself a little too much.  but i restrain from throwing my clubs or anything.  i don't swear and i just keep the anger inside me.  i am sure that if i screw one hole, then i can easily screw another hole just because i am so angry.  is there any advice you could give me so that i can deal with my anger and quickly forget about it?

Answer
Hello again, You should be surprised when you make a mistake but never angry. Golf is a game of imperfect. You will never reach any perfection. So when you are angry what you are doing is emotionally demanding that you be perfect. That is nuts.

Start each round with an understanding that you will make five mistakes. Look for them and accept them. Some days you may get by with only three, some days more. Don't fight reality. It's all part of the game.

The guy who makes the fewest mistakes may win, but the guy who gets over and past his mistakes fastest is even more likely to win.

Bob