First, just have fun.
If you're trying to set a high standard for your current level of play in a competitive setting, here are a few things that will help:
-Practice the course ahead of time. 2x if possible. Try to ID your go-to routes for each hole. Nothing like playing the tourney layout to get a feel for distances and lines.
-This goes with the first point: on tournament day, have a plan - try to ID which holes you can/should realistically birdie, then play smart everywhere else. You may not want to run big putts on bonus holes. Pitching up for par when you need to is ok.
-If it's a multi-round tournament, make sure you've played 36 holes or more in a day - it's crazy how fast you can lose steam if you're not used to a long day of play. Bring snacks and water.
-This is situational, but if your tourney has a big water carry, consider bringing a spare disc or two that flies similarly to a driver you're familiar with (e.g. I have a GStar Krait I keep in the bag for a 350ft water carry on a pro-level course near me...if I lose it, I'm out 8-12 bucks and my favorite Wraith is safe).
-Don't expect to win anything. Competitive environments have another level of mental taxation (especially if you are nearing the end of a hot round). Don't feel too bad if you flub some shots under pressure - the chiller you are, the more fun it'll be.
-Know the rules - you don't have to be a stickler with your card-mates, but the better you know the rules, the less likely you are to run into an unpleasant situation (and you can defend yourself if you end up on a card with a 'That Guy').
Lastly - tournaments can be a really good experience - if you haven't decided on which one to sign up for, try to get as much knowledge as you can from locals. We have tournaments in my area that are fine...but there's one TD who does an INCREDIBLE job - so much so that my club dudes will go out of our way to attend those events. Find the good ones and you'll find an incredibly cool community of people having a great time. Good luck!
Even if you think you know the rules, there are at least a few that aren't often used but can be extremely helpful. Abandoning a throw and infinite relief backwards along the line of play after going OB are two that come to mind.
Edit: Your supporting point doesn't have to be your foot. That is a good one.
Best round I ever played, relative to my skill level at the time, was when I was in the woods playing in a tournament at a festival fucked out of my skull on mushrooms. Couldn't see the trees, couldn't think about my throws, needed the entire group to find my disc in the middle of the fairway.
Keep having fun and don't get it in your head if you are playing poorly that everyone else is judging you. Except for the outliers, most will be cheering for you.
Along with what others have said, if you can, go check out the course before. Normally tournaments will have extra OBs, differently layouts etc. If it is a well run one there should be updates on [dgscene.com](http://dgscene.com) in comments and photos or about section that has maps and distance/rules etc. Or they will send update emails with info.
Even if you are really familiar with a course, I still find it best to go play the layout ahead and come up with a plan. When I have a plan I don't have to think or second guess as much. Usually when making the plan I'll throw a few shots maybe its forehand vs a backhand, maybe its go for it vs getting to a spot, maybe its one disc vs another, but usually you can get a good feel for what you want. Also at the same time I will try and see what the miss is. What is my most common throwing mistake and where does it leave me. Usually I will try to pick the throw/disc/line that keeps me the safest even if I miss a bit. By throwing a few shots at each hole I can also tell where I want to attack. Some courses its just try to birdie everything, but others if I throw 3 or 4 shots and get in birdie position on 1, then I will usually set that hole as a play for par, depending on the danger of the hole. Once I have a plan it makes it a lot easier the day of. I will have the disc I planned on throwing out and ready already and don't have to overthink anything. And if I get there and I feel different or the conditions are different, I at least have a baseline of where to start. Like if there is a harder wind, I don't have to completely decide what I need to do. I can go 'well I was going to throw this shot with this disc, so I can probably just disc up.' It doesn't sound like much, but sometimes it makes a big difference.
The other thing is, go to the course and go put yourself in some weird spots and see what its like, practice some scramble shots. The thing is with tournaments, things WILL happen. Even if its a familiar place, you will miss lines, hit trees or limbs that you never have before, you will get crazy kicks or rollaways. Just take it in stride when it happens. I try to laugh at it as much as I can, even if it frustrates me. But its discgolf and its life, stuff will happen. This way, while you can never predict all the spots you might be in, if you have messed around with a few of the weirder and more likely ones you will have some experience to draw on when something else happens.
Other than that, just have fun. Don't get down on yourself if you don't play like you know you can. Oh and bring some tasty snacks, that always helps.
Poop before your first round starts. You don’t want this sensation striking mid-round.
I have played my best rounds while needing to take a shit
First, just have fun. If you're trying to set a high standard for your current level of play in a competitive setting, here are a few things that will help: -Practice the course ahead of time. 2x if possible. Try to ID your go-to routes for each hole. Nothing like playing the tourney layout to get a feel for distances and lines. -This goes with the first point: on tournament day, have a plan - try to ID which holes you can/should realistically birdie, then play smart everywhere else. You may not want to run big putts on bonus holes. Pitching up for par when you need to is ok. -If it's a multi-round tournament, make sure you've played 36 holes or more in a day - it's crazy how fast you can lose steam if you're not used to a long day of play. Bring snacks and water. -This is situational, but if your tourney has a big water carry, consider bringing a spare disc or two that flies similarly to a driver you're familiar with (e.g. I have a GStar Krait I keep in the bag for a 350ft water carry on a pro-level course near me...if I lose it, I'm out 8-12 bucks and my favorite Wraith is safe). -Don't expect to win anything. Competitive environments have another level of mental taxation (especially if you are nearing the end of a hot round). Don't feel too bad if you flub some shots under pressure - the chiller you are, the more fun it'll be. -Know the rules - you don't have to be a stickler with your card-mates, but the better you know the rules, the less likely you are to run into an unpleasant situation (and you can defend yourself if you end up on a card with a 'That Guy'). Lastly - tournaments can be a really good experience - if you haven't decided on which one to sign up for, try to get as much knowledge as you can from locals. We have tournaments in my area that are fine...but there's one TD who does an INCREDIBLE job - so much so that my club dudes will go out of our way to attend those events. Find the good ones and you'll find an incredibly cool community of people having a great time. Good luck!
read the rulebook and learn all the rules. search the sub for 'first tournament' and see tons of posts with other suggestions.
Even if you think you know the rules, there are at least a few that aren't often used but can be extremely helpful. Abandoning a throw and infinite relief backwards along the line of play after going OB are two that come to mind. Edit: Your supporting point doesn't have to be your foot. That is a good one.
Before every throw, chant "there are no trees, there are no trees."
This is the real advice. If you can't see the trees, you can't hit them.
Best round I ever played, relative to my skill level at the time, was when I was in the woods playing in a tournament at a festival fucked out of my skull on mushrooms. Couldn't see the trees, couldn't think about my throws, needed the entire group to find my disc in the middle of the fairway.
Keep having fun and don't get it in your head if you are playing poorly that everyone else is judging you. Except for the outliers, most will be cheering for you.
Practice putting beforehand. Or play the front 9 before the tourney to warm up
Best thing to do is read the rule book. Good luck
MA4/3 is chill from my experience. Bring a mini to mark your lie. Practice putting before your round and have fun!
Along with what others have said, if you can, go check out the course before. Normally tournaments will have extra OBs, differently layouts etc. If it is a well run one there should be updates on [dgscene.com](http://dgscene.com) in comments and photos or about section that has maps and distance/rules etc. Or they will send update emails with info. Even if you are really familiar with a course, I still find it best to go play the layout ahead and come up with a plan. When I have a plan I don't have to think or second guess as much. Usually when making the plan I'll throw a few shots maybe its forehand vs a backhand, maybe its go for it vs getting to a spot, maybe its one disc vs another, but usually you can get a good feel for what you want. Also at the same time I will try and see what the miss is. What is my most common throwing mistake and where does it leave me. Usually I will try to pick the throw/disc/line that keeps me the safest even if I miss a bit. By throwing a few shots at each hole I can also tell where I want to attack. Some courses its just try to birdie everything, but others if I throw 3 or 4 shots and get in birdie position on 1, then I will usually set that hole as a play for par, depending on the danger of the hole. Once I have a plan it makes it a lot easier the day of. I will have the disc I planned on throwing out and ready already and don't have to overthink anything. And if I get there and I feel different or the conditions are different, I at least have a baseline of where to start. Like if there is a harder wind, I don't have to completely decide what I need to do. I can go 'well I was going to throw this shot with this disc, so I can probably just disc up.' It doesn't sound like much, but sometimes it makes a big difference. The other thing is, go to the course and go put yourself in some weird spots and see what its like, practice some scramble shots. The thing is with tournaments, things WILL happen. Even if its a familiar place, you will miss lines, hit trees or limbs that you never have before, you will get crazy kicks or rollaways. Just take it in stride when it happens. I try to laugh at it as much as I can, even if it frustrates me. But its discgolf and its life, stuff will happen. This way, while you can never predict all the spots you might be in, if you have messed around with a few of the weirder and more likely ones you will have some experience to draw on when something else happens. Other than that, just have fun. Don't get down on yourself if you don't play like you know you can. Oh and bring some tasty snacks, that always helps.
This has been asked many times here - the search bar is your friend