Choking on the last hole

[binga7]

Today I lost on a countback for the a grade winner. I checked the score before the last and thought I needed par to get me a nett 70 (our ccr). So I step up confident as I have been hitting pretty well and bang. Out of nowhere I hit a huge cut into the bushes bout 250. Thinking I still need par I plan to punch out to about 165 to the green. I hit it fat and leave myself bout 200 into the breeze. So, had 2, long way out I say blow it I can't get par so I pull out 3 wood hit towards green, club it but into wind leave myself 40 to the pin but I'm in the rough. Pitch= falls short. Chip n 2 putt for a 7!! I'm gutted. Later I find out I only needed a bogey to get to nett 70 not a par.
this kinda stuff seems to happen to me on the back 9 alot.
Do you guys have any stories like this, more importantly any tips or fixes to close out a round. Sorry for the long post

[martytilma]

Happened to me also. I came into the last hole, an easy par 5, needing par to shoot a 69! Hit my drive right down the middle. Normally I would go for it in two, but I decided to lay up. Took way too much club and hit it in a front side green bunker. Sculled the bunker shot and ended up taking a 6 for a 70. Should have went for it in two I guess.

[The Recreational Golfer]

The first time I broke 80, I said to myself on the 18th tee (par 5), "Just get this ball in the fairway. That's all you have to do." So I did. Then I got to me ball and said to myself, "Just get this ball up where you can pitch on. Do that, and you'll be OK." And I did. I'm nervous as a cat throughout all this, by the way. So I get to the ball again, and say, "Just put this on the green so you can putt. If you do that, you've got it." So I did. Talked myself into just leaving the approach putt close. Did it. Tapped in. 78.

Taught myself that when the heat is on to play one shot at a time, and not go grabbing for real estate I don't need and probably can't get.

[RIduffer]

I choked the first couple times I was on my way to breaking 40 for 9-holes in my league. Like anything though, experience is key, and the next time I was in that spot I barely thought about it--just focused on each shot.

One thing I try to avoid is playing defensively. Instead of thinking "I only need a bogey to shoot 39", I'll say to myself "Let's make birdie and shoot 37".

[martytilma]

One thing I try to avoid is playing defensively. Instead of thinking "I only need a bogey to shoot 39", I'll say to myself "Let's make birdie and shoot 37".

Great tip!!

[binga7]

The first time I broke 80, I said to myself on the 18th tee (par 5), "Just get this ball in the fairway. That's all you have to do." So I did. Then I got to me ball and said to myself, "Just get this ball up where you can pitch on. Do that, and you'll be OK." And I did. I'm nervous as a cat throughout all this, by the way. So I get to the ball again, and say, "Just put this on the green so you can putt. If you do that, you've got it." So I did. Talked myself into just leaving the approach putt close. Did it. Tapped in. 78.

Thats basically all i had to do. Drive in the fairway, and i couldnt :( My swing definetly quickened up and the 10km/h breeze really got hold of my slice. Maybe i should have gone with the slice and aimed down the left. Its the only shot i can hit on command, but I'd been drawing the ball all day long.

Alas there is always next week. If the game was too easy we wouldnt keep coming back hey.

[CG031]

the key to me is too not care that much. it seems like the less you put a burden on yourself, the easier it is to close that good round you have going.

[Lefty-Golfer]

I 3-putted #18 from 15' for an 80 the first time had a chance at 79...the 2nd time I had a chance I hit a 6 footer to complete a 30' 2 putt. It certainly plays on your mind. For me ball stiking is fine but your biggest weakness will show up when the preasure is high and for me that is putting. It does get easy after you have done it once.