Could use a suggestion or 3 on my back nine meltdowns this past golf season

[jewestcoast]

I find it is easier to just state the bare facts so I will list a few of my rounds this year:
34-44=78
34-40=74 (last round played 6 days ago)
35-41=76
36-40=76 and 35-42=77 (in our club championship this summer)

There has been a monumental letdown on the finishing 9 holes of so many rounds this year I can't even remember half of them; for those of you that would suggest that possibly the back nine is tougher (at my home course) it is...but even when I play the nines in reverse I sometimes finish poorly. It is hard to put my finger on what goes wrong but suffice to say it involves bad decision-making, some really loose shots and poor putting and chipping.

My hypothesis is this:
1. I am not mentally tough enough.
2. I am getting tired.
3. I lose focus.
4. I need nutrition or nourishment.
5. I should sell my clubs and "retire."

To combat #4 I have been snacking at the turn and making sure I eat well before playing.

Lastly, I still carry my bag and will continue to do so until I can find proof positive that it is hurting me. I am 44 if that matters.

Bring on the suggestions and comedy...I shall read them all.
Thanks!

[obiwan21]

Don't feel bad, I'm in the same boat, sort of anyway. I don't really have a "back 9" problem as I do a 3-4 holes that consistently bite me in the ass problem.

I'd start with getting tired as being a possible culprit, and if that happens, you'll inevitably loose focus. Along those same lines, stay hydrated, particularly before you begin your round and then have some fluids during as well. Past that, I've learned that you just have to try and put the bad shots/holes behind you quickly, which I know is easier said than done.

With a 2 handicap I'd warn against selling your clubs, then again...if they're reasonably priced feel free to PM me so you can give up this crooked game ;)

Hope this helps and good luck.

[lcfd42]

I find it is easier to just state the bare facts so I will list a few of my rounds this year:

Well, you carry your bag at 44...impressive, really. But.

at that age that is probably causing #4 which is starting #1 and and making you #3 which in turn causes you #2. Therefore creating the lack of consitency you have on the back#9. All BS aside, at a 2HI you are an excellent golfer, but at 44 carrying your bag is going to cause fatigue that will hurt your game closer to the end. Try a caddie for a few rounds, especially during competition and see if you get your consistency back. I just wish I could get to a 2. I can see where your frustration comes from though. Good luck getting straightned out.

[DaSportsGuy]

Greetings, fellow walker! I would say it's probably a combination of 1-4.

For me though, it's the exact opposite. I get better as the day goes on.

[Neil]

Lastly,

I'm 30 and carried until autumn last year. I won a fairly basic pull trolley which I now use every time I play and can honestly say the improvement in my game has been massive. I dropped 3 strokes from my handicap inthe first 6 wereks after starting using the trolley.

I'm relatively fit and healthy and had always felt that carts/trolleys were for older guys however on the basis of my experience I would definetly recommend you give serious consideration to a trolley. In relation to mental toughness I read a book called 'How Great Golfers Think' which I thought had loads of useful advice. Can't recall the author however the book was reviewed on this site last year (you should be able to find via the search functionality.) I've read a lot by Rotella etc and all these bnooks are very helpful however I found that 'How Great Golfers Think' had some really clever little tips that worked for me. Inparticular the author spoke about not judging your 18 hole round in terms of 2 sets of 9 holes. He said a rounmd is better split into 6 sets of 3 holes - in that wayyou can review progress more frequently and also 'move on' from any disaster holes quicker. I have found thinking in this way to be very helpful. (Obvioulsy the book explains better...) As per everyone else I sympathise with your plight - my '09 year was also blighted by back 9 blow ups! Twice during the year I ran up double figures on the 15th at my home course. Good Luck!!!

[goblue107501]

My initial thought is that you are getting physically tired, which leads to mental fatigue. I think it is just human nature when you get tired, to try and do things faster in order to get done. So when you are on hole 15 and have a decision to make, maybe you rush through it and just hit a shot to move on to the next one to get done. Whereas if it happend on hole 5 you would think more about it and make a better decision. That is just a thought.

My other suggestion would be to ride in a cart (or have a caddy) for a few rounds and see if the trend contiunes. If you still tank the back nine, then you would know it doesn't have much to do with fatigue and you could move on to other factors.

[Quinn07]

In relation to mental toughness I read a book called 'How Great Golfers Think' which I thought had loads of useful advice. Can't recall the author however the book was reviewed on this site last year (you should be able to find via the search functionality.) Good Luck!!!

I have read this book as well and it's a very good read. I enjoyed how the author provided information through a story, makes it a little easier to read. You will find reviews in the reading thread.

I use to carry all the time, however starting last summer I made a rule that I would pull / push when I played 18 and carry when I played 9. It made a world of difference. I come off of playing 18 with a lot more energy compared to when I carried 18. I would conduct a bit of an experiment and try a couple of rounds with a cart and see what your back nine is like. You are a bit better than I am, as I am probably one of the worst single digits players around, but I find when I have a good front, my mind starts to get in my way. I start thinking about a good number on the back and probably try to force things a little too much. I have found making someone else keep track of the score or not adding up my front nine helps with this a bit. Just some of my experiences with fighting the back nine struggles.

[pittpanther]

34-44=78

Ummm, how much more proof do you need? Get a pull or push cart, dude!

[Leftygolfer]

I would workout or do something to get more fit. I think you might be tired. Obviously you can play. Do you start thinking about the score and loose focus. Maybe read some books about the mental side of the game.

[sean_miller]

A pull cart is a good idea - when it's really hot our or I'm feeling like garbage, they're a godsend. Golf is supposed to be excercise, not riding in a little car and getting out occasionally to hit a golf ball. You walk because you probably feel this way too. In September I golfed with guy who was in his late 60s and he was still lugging his Sun Mountain and 14 clubs.

I think your issue is mental, but in case it's fatigue, you may need to get more excercise, not less.

[James_Black]

It looks like your just getting tired as pointed out by OP.

A trolley for your clubs would be the best thing to do.

[montru]

Is it possible that you are aware of your score and you are adding more pressure to yourself to shoot a lower score?

I have done that so many times it's crazy, I am playing really well lately and playing well below my handicap, just today I played one of our local courses, it's an executive links course (par 63) and 17 of the 18 holes you are hitting over water or the water comes into play, only the 18th has no water, I was one over par (shooting 32) on the front nine and then have TWO 8'S on the back nine and shoot 41 nine over on the back nine.
If I could eliminate those blowup hols from each round I could probably knock off at least 4-5 strokes off my handicap.

[boogielicious]

Don't forget about hydration as well versus nutrition. We you get dehydrated, the first thing that goes is concentration followed by fatigue. It is a very gradual onset in a walking sport like golf. You don't feel like you are losing water, but you are, even on colder days. Try sipping water before each tee as a routine and see if it helps. I used to race bicycles where hydration is very important.

a good way to tell if you were dehydrated after a round is to look at the color of your urine. It should be very pale yellow. If not, you didn't drink enough.

Best of luck.

[GaijinGolfer]

Id say its fatigue. Carrying you bag for 18 holes is a long day and its pretty impressive that you are doing it at age 44. Id suggest getting a pull/push cart. Carrying your own bag does cost you strokes due to fatigue and thats likely what the problem is.

[kpaulhus]

Bring along a Propel or Gatorade and some granola bars. I find that when I dont eat before a round my scores suffer. Im almost tempted to put a box of chewy bars in my bag.......doesnt have to be alot, but those calories car really get you some energy.

[colin007]

why do you carry your bag? the pros dont carry their bags. why should you carry your bags if the guys getting paid to play arent carrying theirs? get a push cart, the ones you pull are awkward.

[jewestcoast]

Thank to everyone that put their 2 cents in on this; I am considering a pull cart and have a buddy that is a sales rep. for Clicgear so that should be easy. I guess it is just a silly pride thing to continue to carry my clubs around.

As for the responses regarding my fitness, both mental and physical, they are right on target. I am working towards getting into better shape this year and focusing on ONLY the shot in front of me, not the one that I hit 3 holes ago or the one I hope to hit 3 holes from now. It is hard for me to stay in the present a lot of the time.[/B
If it matters, and it probably doesn't, I shot a crafty little 38-35=73 today and didn't feel tired or undernourished. Maybe I am just a nutjob, dunno?

[enis750]

sounds like you are starting to get er figured out
I too was having issues liek you this past summer, but it was more a "last 3 holes" thing for me

for me it was a nutrition and hydration thing
I cant eat a lot during a round, so i ensure im fed and hydrated prior to the round

i will have some good protien and carbs before a round, like some egg whites and a protien shake w a scoop of gatorade
then during the round will drink at least one more gatorade and 2 waters (the 600ml ones)
for snacks I like peanuts, almonds, jerky and/or gummy bears! (need the sugar blast sometimes)

this helped a bit for me as I felt more energized throughout the round

I am impressed that you still carry at 44....but really dude, ur still young!
im 29 and starting to feel the effects of walking 18 in a day, but i work hard in the winter at the gym so I can continue to walk and carry
there is just someting about walking and carrying your clubs, that makes you feel better about yourself - at least my anyways

good luck bro!