Dear Nick: Have a Week!

Dear Nick, 

I hope this is the start of a very long golf career on the PGA Tour. But in case it isn't, I'm sending you my advice. 

On Tuesday, wait for one of your favorite players and ask them for a practice round. There are no tee times and odds are most of the players have heard your story. I know you don't want to bother people, but I promise it's not a bother. Wait for Rickie and see if you can grab a nine with him. Seek out Badds for the back nine or Francesco Molinari. Learn from them, watch them practice, but more importantly, ask them about things you have always wondered about. You may never get one-on-one time with them again. Ask about the Ryder Cup, the Masters, and about the highs and the lows. Ask for advice about what they did to improve, their mistakes, and what they have changed. 

Go to the equipment trailers and get as much free stuff as you can. I know it doesn't feel right, but take ten hats when reps offer them. If they give them to you, fill a plastic bag with gloves. Head over to FootJoy and get some new shoes. Grab two if they will let you. You know how you wanted to replace that 3-wood? Now is the time. Don't put it in play this week, but throw it in the bag for next week. Also, if you want a new grip or a different shaft, just ask. This is your time with the best club reps in the business. 

Take a few range balls. All of them are brand new and they have TOUR stamped on them. They will be great mementos from the week. 

Don't worry about the lack of sleep. Try to get as much as you can but if you don’t get much, adrenaline will carry you. You can catch up on sleep next week. 

Take a bunch of snacks from Player Dining. There will be protein bars and fresh fruit. Grab a couple of each every time you pass by. Save the protein bars for mini-tour events down the road; you know those things are expensive. More importantly, at most player dining there is beer. Have a beer, just to say you did (The PGA Tour probably prefers you do it after the round).

On Wednesday, find time to rest. You have played a million rounds of golf on hundreds of different courses. Detroit Golf Club is just another one that happens to be surrounded by bleachers and hospitality tents. Rest is more important. Go have dinner with your soon-to-be wife and relax. Watch TV. Talk about how cool this week is. 

On Thursday, don't do anything you don't normally do. It's easy to think you have to be at the course hours before tee time. If you usually get there 45 minutes before, stick to that. I'd love to tell you, "this is just another event," but that would be bullshit. Try your best to stick to your routine. 

On the first tee, take a minute and look around. Look at the standard bearer holding the scoring sign for your threesome: that is your last name up there and you earned it. I know you’ve heard your name announced on the first tee at mini-tour events, but we both know there is rarely a single fan there to hear it. Thursday, the tee will be surrounded by fans. Soak in the claps after they say "from Indianapolis, Indiana, Nick Bienz!" Tip your cap or wave – you never get to do that. I guarantee there will be at least one kid sitting on the ropes. They might not know your name, but they know you're a pro golfer, and want to be like you one day. 

Hit your driver if you're nervous. It has the biggest face and it worked for you every time in the eight-hole Monday playoff. And if you miss it right, or hook it left, laugh. This may be the first time in your life you won't have to worry about finding a wayward tee shot; marshals and fans are on it. 

Only about 29% of Monday Q's make the cut in PGA Tour events, and that number is probably around 7% for players playing in their first PGA Tour event. Those stats don’t matter because on Monday, you already defied the odds. The odds of a player getting through a pre-Q and then surviving an eight-hole playoff in the Monday Q after shooting 65 are much smaller than 7%. 

If you play poorly, don't worry. You have done something almost every golfer dreams about. Whether this is the first of many starts or the only one ever, it will be a lifetime memory for you and your family. 

If you play your best and find yourself in the playoff on Sunday, screw the range.  Pound three beers and go win the damn thing! It worked for some guy on Monday.  

Have a week. 

Sincerely, 

Monday Q Info. 

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