The Second Links Traveler

Tournaments can elevate your game – even if you don’t think you’re good enough…

The SLPGA tournament season started February 1! We’re into the season of the very best competitive golf in Second Life. And I am SUPER excited about it.

I’ve spoken with a few golfers about the TrueGolf Open at Friendship Valley Golf Course running between February 1 – February 9, and I find it surprising how many duffers I have spoken with who aren’t going to participate. It’s started some interesting conversations, and I wanted to review those and share some of my thoughts on them.

It’s not my intention to tell people they’re wrong and I’m right. What I’m hoping to do is just provide some food for thought. My hope is this post might at least get people thinking about considering trying a tournament in the future, but I don’t want to make anyone feel as if their feelings or thoughts aren’t valid.

(Just here for the giveaway? I understand! No judgment! Drop down to the end of the post for all the details.)

I’m not good enough

This is perhaps the most common obstacle to entry I have heard, and it took many forms. ‘I don’t want to be embarrassed’ and ‘There’s no way I could win’ came up as well. I understand that feeling. No one wants to be one of those names at the bottom, and if you can’t win, why bother? I really do get that.

A lot of golfers hold the belief that if their game isn’t at the highest level, they don’t belong in golf tournaments. I understand that thinking, especially in real life. The Golden State Warriors would destroy the basketball team from the local middle school, right? Real Madrid would positively roll over the little municipal amateur team on which I play, so why?

Even finishing in dead last, the experience is inspirational. It’s a learning experience, and you’ll have the opportunity to play with and against the very best of the best. It’s addictive and improving on those results in sublimely satisfying.

I had a great conversation with Lexy Amore about this, and she pointed out that if everyone wanted to wait until they were ‘good enough,’ we’d never have tournaments because we all feel like we need to improve, and occasionally we all feel like we are not ready to compete on that level.

I don’t want to be embarrassed

As someone who embarrasses easily, and really feels that anxiety, this hits close to home. That fear of being made to look foolish or unskilled or inferior is real. I get that in the most profound way.

I mentioned playing for a ‘result’ in my Why Golf? post. Golf differs from many other sports in that it provides you the opportunity to set your win condition, and it doesn’t have to be your place or your score. It could be something as simple as improving on your last tournament. Or finishing in the top 20. Or just finishing all four rounds! Your win condition can be a source of inspiration, and I believe we can be proud of striving to meet the goals we set for ourselves

Something else to consider when contemplating this question is the Second Life golf community. Our community is incredible. We are, almost universally, kind, respectful, supportive, and excited to share our hobby. While I understand how one might feel self-conscious about a high score on the board, I can guarantee the rest of the community has been there, and we’re just happy to have you as one of us.

I don’t have time

With one small caveat, this is the one reason that really can’t be rebuffed in any way. Time is so precious and so finite, and all of our first lives have demands on our time that are more important that a golf tournament in Second Life. Heck, oftentimes our second lives have demands on our time that supersede playing in a tourney.

I’d bring up one small issue, and I’m not entirely certain everyone who passes on tournament play is aware of it. The TG Open, for example, lasts from February 1 – February 9. The four rounds one needs to complete for the tournament can be played anytime between those days. For my last tournament, I played one round Sunday afternoon, two rounds back-to-back Tuesday afternoon, and my last round Saturday morning. There’s a great deal of scheduling flexibility here that might help a golfer find that time.

I don’t know how to participate

If you’re interested in giving it a try but can’t figure out how to enter, it may seem like you’re stuck. Thankfully, I think I can help you out.

For the majority of tournaments, you don’t need to register. Just show up at the course when it fits your schedule, pick up the tournament scorecard, and tee off. Tournaments use a modified version of the standard TrueGolf scorecard. The modified version sends your score to the tournament scoreboard instead of the usual course scoreboard but is otherwise exactly the same. Four-round tournaments will have four separate cards; you’ll use each one once.

Assuming you are a member of the course where the tournament is being held, scorecards might be sent in a notice. If not, it’s a fair bet that the location of a scoreboard distribution kiosk will be announced before the tournament.

Failing that, it shouldn’t be hard to locate that kiosk at the course. Usually you can find them near the first hole. Worst case scenario, ask in the course’s group chat; I’ll bet my last linden someone will respond. (Unless it’s like super late…then maybe not.)

Keeping tabs on the tournament scene can be challenging, and while I might recommend a certain blog, there are in-world resources as well. Some active groups that are good for keeping up to date on tourney news and announcements are the Rainbow Golf Links, TrueGolf, and SLPGA groups.

If you’ve been reluctant to try your hand in one of the SLPGA tournaments, I hope maybe my post has at least given you something to think about. And even if you decide the tournament scene just isn’t for you, I’m looking forward to seeing you on the course sometime.

Fairways & Greens!

Keyli & Sam (thank you for your help, Kitten!)

GIVEAWAY! I’m giving away the winner’s choice of either a Steelhead Golfboard or a L$500 Steelhead/Truegolf Gift Card. All you’ll need to do is leave a comment on this post with your Second Life account name. I’ll pick a name at random at noon SLT on February 16 and get in touch in world. Good luck!