Tournament & Competition

Nerves & Slow Play

Stay sharp through tournament pace.

Why it matters

Tournament rounds are slower than casual ones, often considerably. That means long waits on tees, going cold between shots, and energy dips in the back nine. None of it is about throwing and all of it affects your score.

How to do it

Stay loose during waits: easy arm circles, a gentle rotation, keep moving rather than sitting down.
Eat and drink on a schedule rather than when you notice you need to. An energy dip at hole 12 feels exactly like losing your nerve.
Use the waiting time for your own next shot rather than on the leaderboard or conversation.
Run the full routine on every throw, which resets your tempo after a long gap.
Accept the pace. Being annoyed about slow play costs you more than the slow play does.

Common mistakes

Going cold during long waits and throwing straight from standing still.Keep moving gently. A few easy rotations before stepping onto the pad is enough.

Eating only when hungry.By then it is late. Small amounts regularly, on a schedule, across the whole round.

Getting irritated by the pace.It is the same for everyone on the card. Irritation is a cost you add to a situation you cannot change.

Key points

Stay warm and loose during long waits.
Keep a snack and water for energy dips.
Run your routine to reset each shot.

The drill

Drill · Practise the wait — 20 throws with a 3-minute gap between each. Throw, then wait three minutes, then throw again — twenty times. It is a dull session and it is exactly what a slow tournament round asks of you: a full-quality throw from cold, repeatedly, with your routine as the only thing bridging the gap.

Watch: How to get over Disc Golf Tournament Nerves with Nolan Ramser — Chain Clankers Disc Golf