How to finish off a good round?

[Paperboy]

Played in a Stableford today. Had 24 points on the front 9. Was level to handicap with 4 to play and only got 4 points on those holes.

My friend said I looked tense on those holes and took a lot longer over shots then I had previously. So just after a few tips on how to get through those last few holes.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Relax and experience. Will probably be easier next time. I remember the feeling standing over my last putt to break 100 for the first time LOL

 

[One Planer]

Played in a Stableford today. Had 24 points on the front 9. Was level to handicap with 4 to play and only got 4 points on those holes.

My friend said I looked tense on those holes and took a lot longer over shots then I had previously. So just after a few tips on how to get through those last few holes.

Thanks in advance.

I asked last Saturday in a similar vein thread.

I was 5 over through 12 holes in a medal. Then the wheels came off and finished on 11 over.

Something Gary (Region3) puts we onto was a pre shot routine. It's not something I had but I'm putting something repeatable into place to help me focus during my round.

 

[Birchy]

You need to keep on attacking as you did at the start of the round. As soon as you start "protecting" your good score it will run up pretty quickly.

As mentioned above a pre shot routine will get you doing the same every shot whether playing well or bad. I do the same for every single shot. It helps take your mind out of it a bit because we are all dangerous with it sometimes

 

[JustOne]

You need to keep on attacking as you did at the start of the round. As soon as you start "protecting" your good score it will run up pretty quickly.

I agree. You're just there to play 4 holes... it should be 4 pars with 4 good looks at birdie.

 

[sawtooth]

Easier said than done but relax and trust yourself. Try not to focus on the winning line just keep playing and enjoying every hole at a time.

 

[williamalex1]

Did you watch Tiger tonight, he lost it over the last few holes by trying too hard. So don't . :blah:

 

[Ian_S]

For me it's reminding myself that 14 holes isn't a round of golf - so what you had wasn't a good round, it was a good start. It's tough because it is easy to think 'job done' and ease off over the last few holes. The strokes still count the same though.

In stableford, don't add the points onto your score until you've got them. 32 pts through 14 is a good place to be, but you still have to score points to make it a good round.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Tough one, as I like most others have thrown away a good round at the end. Pressure gets to everyone and even the best players have thrown away chances to win big events.

It's a cliche but I think the key is to play the last few holes one shot at at time. Forget your score. Stay focussed on the shot in hand. Play it on its merits and don't get ahead of yourself. No need for heroics though.

The thing about not defending your score is an interesting one, especially for anyone who watched van de Velde's trials and tribulations on the 72nd hole at Carnoustie in 1999. He played positively and went for the green with a long iron when 2 wedges and 2 putts would have seen his name on the Claret Jug.

The thing is if you do decide to play defensively do it with a positive mindset rather than a negative one. Make sure you still commit to each shot. Often playing defensively can lead to a negative state of mind and I end up leaving putts short and hitting weak fades.

Whatever happens, it's always worth remembering that, at the end of the day, it's only a round of golf.

 

[Dellboy]

The one reason I never add up my score or even check it while I'm playing, did it once and fell apart on the last 5 holes.

I'm lucky in a way as on my home track the last 6 holes are the holes I always score well on, so I'm almost looking forward to finishing the round as I know I like them and if I feel i have been playing badly I can alway score on them.

But it's just a case of trusting your swing, stay relaxed and don't look or think about your score until you finish.