A game of two halves, again............

[DelB]

Well, played again today after my unbelievable round last week of 34/48 and shot 38/50. I should be delighted, but am just frustrated. It's a nine hole course and notwithstanding the fact that two of the holes on the 'back' nine play from different tee positions, it's basically the same course I'm playing again.

So, why can't I hold it together for a full 18 holes?

 

[bluewolf]

I'm not being rude, because i don't know you, but could the problem be tiredness? Have you tried taking a break between the 9's?

 

[Bunkers]

Where is the back 9 falling down Del-boy? Is it your driving, irons or short game? If you find that your driving is getting you into trouble later in the round it may be an idea to take an iron off the tee and play for position after the turn etc.

Alternatively, don't change a thing until after the last weekend of March so a back 9 collapse can prevent all the prizes heading back to Edinburgh with you!!

 

[DelB]

Perfectly fair question.

I use an electric trolley, so can't really complain of tiredness. I think it's a mental thing. I had a real wobble on 10, 11 and 12, same as last week and then scored ok for the rest of the round. My head must be telling me that I shouldn't be scoring that well for nine holes and is trying to get me back to playing to my handicap!

 

[patricks148]

It's called protecting your handicap.

 

[USER1999]

I found this when I was a member of a 9 holer. Gold fish syndrome. I would stand on the tenth, and in the back of my head a voice would be saying, I've already played this hole. Disinterest would kick in.

My advice? Join an 18 hole golf course.

 

[moonraker]

Do you think it could be a mental think you played the front 9 well and sub consually think have done the frist 9 well should be able to do the same again, where as a different 9 you have nothing to compare it with in the same round.

 

[thecraw]

Maybe its just that your puting too much pressure on yourself to perform again. Your standing back on the first tee thinking, right 38 again and I've got a career best of 76.


Try and totally block out your first 9 holes and feel as though your starting again from scratch.

And enjoy it!

 

[Ethan]

Break up the round. Play a series of 3 hole matches against the course. Take a handicap of 18, and play holes 1 to 3, you against net par. So you win, lose or draw the 3 holes. Then move on to the second set of 3, and so on. That can help maintain your focus on the short term, and keep interest going for the round.

 

[DelB]

Maybe its just that your puting too much pressure on yourself to perform again. Your standing back on the first tee thinking, right 38 again and I've got a career best of 76.


Try and totally block out your first 9 holes and feel as though your starting again from scratch.

And enjoy it!

Think you're spot-on here, Craw. Need to read some Rotella, I think!

 

[DelB]

Break up the round. Play a series of 3 hole matches against the course. Take a handicap of 18, and play holes 1 to 3, you against net par. So you win, lose or draw the 3 holes. Then move on to the second set of 3, and so on. That can help maintain your focus on the short term, and keep interest going for the round.

Good advice. Cheers Ethan.

 

[chris661]

So, why can't I hold it together for a full 18 holes?

Cos your handicap is 22? I can still barely hold together for 18 and I am half that!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to agree with the point about familiarity having played nine and the expectation the first nine score brings. I use to play regularly at Thames Ditton & Esher which is a similar set up of 9 holes and two lots of tee boxes and I use to get bored as the holes still look the same even from the different boxes and I could never post a back nine score.

A good idea though to break it down into bite sized chunks and just focus on scoring well against the course on three holes at a time