how to stop it? Arrggghh!

[lukeysafc100]

So my golf game right now - striking the ball well, hitting the driver as good as I ever have done, short game coming along nicely, putting -rolling it well.

BUT

why does it go to pot for 3 holes per round!

I play off 9 and last night I shot an 83! So I was 4 over my handicap! I had a triple bogey on the 2nd, double bogey on 3 and a double bogey on 14! So that is 7 shots! dropped for 3 holes! 7! Meaning for the other 15 holes I only dropped 6 shots!
At the weekend I played stableford comp - 29 points - with 4 blobs on the card and 3 of them holes I had shots on! So I'm playing good golf for 14/15 holes.

Problem is - it just creeps up on me! I don't expect it! it just happens for one reason or another. Arrggh!
This game is frustrating at times!

Any tips anyone?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'm watching this thread intently. Mine tend to happen around holes 12-15. On a bad day 11-17. Any course.

 

[Orikoru]

Well if you never made a single mistake you'd be a scratch golfer wouldn't you? I always think the difference in lower handicaps is just greater and greater consistency. Even as a 24 handicapper I'm capable of playing great golf - a few weeks ago I did a 9-hole course in only 4 over par - but once I can achieve that sort of consistency over 18 I might be near your sort of level. And when you can achieve your consistency over 18 that's what'll push you to the small numbers.

 

[Wayman]

Pressure gets to you.

 

[lukeysafc100]

Well if you never made a single mistake you'd be a scratch golfer wouldn't you? I always think the difference in lower handicaps is just greater and greater consistency. Even as a 24 handicapper I'm capable of playing great golf - a few weeks ago I did a 9-hole course in only 4 over par - but once I can achieve that sort of consistency over 18 I might be near your sort of level. And when you can achieve your consistency over 18 that's what'll push you to the small numbers.

Completely agree with what you're saying. Even pro's make mistakes. Unfortunately being off nine I don't have freedom of being able to make the big mistakes anymore.
My consistency is there within my swing - its more mental I find. My best score is a 74 and my average worse score is getting lower now.
I can feel a really low round coming soon!

 

[Crazyface]

This. Try having a chat to a playing partner on the way round (make sure they like to talk) and rabbit on about anything all the way round. Do NOT CHECK YOUR CARD as you go round. Do it all at the end. Gets your mind off what you are doing.

 

[Crazyface]

Pressure gets to you.

Ooops forgot the quote bit.

THIS

 

[lukeysafc100]

Pressure gets to you.

That's the thing though - I'm not feeling any pressure at all. Might be sub-conscious pressure!

 

[louise_a]

Looking at the round you quoted, a double and a treble in the first 3 holes probably relaxed you for the rest of the round, based on that it cant really be pressure, surely that occurs when you are ripping it up and finish badly, which tends to be my problem.

 

[Capella]

I know this might sound stupid, but especially for those of you who are hit by this around the same part of your round: do you eat something during your round? I really struggled with my back nine last year, until someone advised me to have a banana or other snack after 7 or 8 holes, plus a few nuts on pretty much every hole and I was much more steady afterwards (well, at least instead of consistently blobbing on holes 10 to 16, I know blob on two to four totally random holes during the round ... if anything, I now have a tendency to mess up the first two or three holes, which I put down to nerves and needing time to find my rythm).

Maybe the enrgy level is more of a female problem. Women seem to be a bit more likely to suffer from blood sugar levels falling rapidly. I played a few holes after work yesterday, and about three holes in I was literally shaking from low blood sugar, until my playing partner thankfully offered me a muesli bar. I played much more steady after that.

 

[GreggerKBR]

Everyone does this most of the time, it's just to different extents. And when you don't you have a chance to win - it's part of the game.
Think of it as missing an open goal, or a keeper duffing a save - it's not what you tried to do, but it happens.

It may take a while, but you might be able to break down what's causing it and if it's the same thing time and again you might be able to address that and in time prevent some/all happening.
If it's mental you can figure out how to avoid the pitfalls. Routines etc. do help, but they do not eliminate errors.

I won our h/c OOM last year, everyone's telling me I'm Mr Consistent, but I can tell you I don't feel like that at all!
I've probably consistently missed short putts to win more than anyone else!!! :/
Even though I've been in contention a lot I've found plenty of ways of not getting past the post. I only tied for the lead in one competition!

At times it was frustrating, but actually I'm just happy to know more about my own personal tendencies now, swings, putting, etc.
I know now that I do tend to get too excited and get ahead of myself. I think about what it would mean etc. instead of just playing the shot.
So I'm better now at being focussed on my game and accepting outcomes. Not completely perfect, but better, I see signs and react accordingly.

One question has helped me above all - "What's the ball got to do" that's helped me focus on the shot in front of me.
It's a simple game, made complicated by my mind. You have to just play the shot and let the rest come to you.

 

[Orikoru]

I know this might sound stupid, but especially for those of you who are hit by this around the same part of your round: do you eat something during your round? I really struggled with my back nine last year, until someone advised me to have a banana or other snack after 7 or 8 holes, plus a few nuts on pretty much every hole and I was much more steady afterwards (well, at least instead of consistently blobbing on holes 10 to 16, I know blob on two to four totally random holes during the round ... if anything, I now have a tendency to mess up the first two or three holes, which I put down to nerves and needing time to find my rythm).

Maybe the enrgy level is more of a female problem. Women seem to be a bit more likely to suffer from blood sugar levels falling rapidly. I played a few holes after work yesterday, and about three holes in I was literally shaking from low blood sugar, until my playing partner thankfully offered me a muesli bar. I played much more steady after that.

You might be onto something there. I tend to have a big meal before teeing off and nothing during the round. But quite often my front nine is better than the back nine. I might be better off having a slightly smaller meal, then eating a Snickers or something after nine holes. I might give that a try this weekend.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones you don't think about.

 

[GreggerKBR]

I know this might sound stupid, but especially for those of you who are hit by this around the same part of your round: do you eat something during your round? I really struggled with my back nine last year, until someone advised me to have a banana or other snack after 7 or 8 holes, plus a few nuts on pretty much every hole and I was much more steady afterwards (well, at least instead of consistently blobbing on holes 10 to 16, I know blob on two to four totally random holes during the round ... if anything, I now have a tendency to mess up the first two or three holes, which I put down to nerves and needing time to find my rythm).

Maybe the enrgy level is more of a female problem. Women seem to be a bit more likely to suffer from blood sugar levels falling rapidly. I played a few holes after work yesterday, and about three holes in I was literally shaking from low blood sugar, until my playing partner thankfully offered me a muesli bar. I played much more steady after that.

No, it's not only a female thing I promise you!
I've also found it really helps.
I always have a good pre game meal and take a snack box (+2/3 bottles of water) in the bag for important rounds and I don't drink coffee before them either. I have nuts, dried fruit etc. Usually start eating around 5th-7th hole.

usually have a beer for the non-important rounds!

 

[need_my_wedge]

I know this might sound stupid, but especially for those of you who are hit by this around the same part of your round: do you eat something during your round? I really struggled with my back nine last year, until someone advised me to have a banana or other snack after 7 or 8 holes, plus a few nuts on pretty much every hole and I was much more steady afterwards (well, at least instead of consistently blobbing on holes 10 to 16, I know blob on two to four totally random holes during the round ... if anything, I now have a tendency to mess up the first two or three holes, which I put down to nerves and needing time to find my rythm).

Maybe the enrgy level is more of a female problem. Women seem to be a bit more likely to suffer from blood sugar levels falling rapidly. I played a few holes after work yesterday, and about three holes in I was literally shaking from low blood sugar, until my playing partner thankfully offered me a muesli bar. I played much more steady after that.

This, and hydration, keep drinking water as well, it helps stopping you losing concentration so easily.

 

[lukeysafc100]

I know this might sound stupid, but especially for those of you who are hit by this around the same part of your round: do you eat something during your round? I really struggled with my back nine last year, until someone advised me to have a banana or other snack after 7 or 8 holes, plus a few nuts on pretty much every hole and I was much more steady afterwards (well, at least instead of consistently blobbing on holes 10 to 16, I know blob on two to four totally random holes during the round ... if anything, I now have a tendency to mess up the first two or three holes, which I put down to nerves and needing time to find my rythm).

Maybe the enrgy level is more of a female problem. Women seem to be a bit more likely to suffer from blood sugar levels falling rapidly. I played a few holes after work yesterday, and about three holes in I was literally shaking from low blood sugar, until my playing partner thankfully offered me a muesli bar. I played much more steady after that.

Doesn't sound stupid to me - that's quite a sensible answer.
I've started to eat oat bars instead of chocolate and try to take a good gulp of water on every hole.

 

[Curls]

This is a subject close to my heart. And while all the above points about being physically and mentally in a good place are correct the OP is having blow ups at random intervals rather than running out of steam/letting the pressure get to him at the end

"I had a triple bogey on the 2nd, double bogey on 3 and a double bogey on 14!"

A slow start is difficult to recover from. I find if I don't warm up properly and just head out I can run into trouble early, but then again holes 2, 3 and 4 are probably the hardest on the course (2 and 4 are SI 1 and 3). Long par 4s, into a strong wind usually, OOB and tricky well-protected greens. Card-wreckers.

Anyway the point is it isn't so much about pressure as being in the right frame of mind going out. When I play matchplay I usually play these holes well. Put a card in my hand, could be disaster. So it's about figuring out a strategy to play them when I haven't brought my A game to the 1st tee. Keep the card clean and off 9 OP you should be looking to pick up a birdie or two and get those shots back. Have you looked into the mental side of the game? Some very good (and some very pedestrian) books out there, happy to recommend if its something you'd like to look into, but don't wnat to send you down a road you don't want to travel. Some folk just like to get out there, smack it and smack it again. Some of them are excellent golfers.

 

[Dasit]

I have this problem, Can play a lot of really good golf but then have 3 holes in a row which ruin my round.

Had 7 pars and 2 birdies from the back tees at my course yesterday, but went double, double, treble to finish the round to end any chance of a very decent score. It is almost like I try to self sabotage myself when on for a good round.

 

[lukeysafc100]

This is a subject close to my heart. And while all the above points about being physically and mentally in a good place are correct the OP is having blow ups at random intervals rather than running out of steam/letting the pressure get to him at the end

"I had a triple bogey on the 2nd, double bogey on 3 and a double bogey on 14!"

A slow start is difficult to recover from. I find if I don't warm up properly and just head out I can run into trouble early, but then again holes 2, 3 and 4 are probably the hardest on the course (2 and 4 are SI 1 and 3). Long par 4s, into a strong wind usually, OOB and tricky well-protected greens. Card-wreckers.

Anyway the point is it isn't so much about pressure as being in the right frame of mind going out. When I play matchplay I usually play these holes well. Put a card in my hand, could be disaster. So it's about figuring out a strategy to play them when I haven't brought my A game to the 1st tee. Keep the card clean and off 9 OP you should be looking to pick up a birdie or two and get those shots back. Have you looked into the mental side of the game? Some very good (and some very pedestrian) books out there, happy to recommend if its something you'd like to look into, but don't wnat to send you down a road you don't want to travel. Some folk just like to get out there, smack it and smack it again. Some of them are excellent golfers.

I've read a lot of books regarding the mental side of the game - and you're right its about being mentally prepared rather than physically prepared.
Strategy is probably a good idea.

 

[Curls]

I have this problem, Can play a lot of really good golf but then have 3 holes in a row which ruin my round.

Had 7 pars and 2 birdies from the back tees at my course yesterday, but went double, double, treble to finish the round to end any chance of a very decent score. It is almost like I try to self sabotage myself when on for a good round.

Ever find you've a pants front 9 and then burn the back to finish around your handicap? There's a strong argument to be made for the fact that we limit ourselves by our self-perception. ouve recently come down from 23, good stuff. But if you now see yourself as a 19, you'll find a way to shoot around 19. The case I outlined makes you feel good, like theres a good round in there. The case you outlined is awful and leaves you very demoralised. But they're actually largely the same thing.

You've had the experience of a good front 9, but you didn't close it out. Next time you stand on the 10th you might think differently. And it shouldn't be "I better not muck up like last time". It should be "Im playing great, scoring well, lets see how low I can go". Then when you post a lower score your mental barrier will shift. It doesn't mean you can now play to that level all the time, but next time youre there you know you're not doing anything you havent before.

Thats basically the message of the book Going Low by Patrick Cohn.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I'm going through the same thing and possibly coming out the other side (fingers crossed)
What's made the difference?
Simply the increased amount I'm playing, it's giving me consistencey.
Before retiring last year I played on average twice a week with the odd practise, I expected to work all week turn up on a saturday and shoot a great score, then as you say, great drive good position, duff second, another hole 2 good shots edge of green duff a chip.
These could happen on the first few holes the last few or pop up anywhere completely ruining a good card.
Now playing 4-5 times a week, I'm becoming more aware of my shortcomings, taking less hero shots and overall more confidence stood over the ball, odd mistake still happens but way less, handicap down from 13-11.5 in first 2 weeks of the season
Probably sounds obvious, but looking back I just think I was being unrealistic in what I expected of myself.