Breaking par is a barrier less than 1.5% of the golfers ever do in their lifetime and less than 0.50% of all golfers break par on a regular basis. It is a situation you have to have been in to give advice that is worth anything. I'm sorry you didn't get home this time, but next time!

It is so easy for a 9-handicapper to tell you, keep on going ... play like you normally do ... etc. Not quite, the 9-handicapper hasn't been there ...

I struggled for a few rounds to break par, I think it was 4 or 5 times. I'd only being playing golf for 18months so it was really tough to draw on experience. But I learnt the hard way.

I'd suggest a few things:

1. You need to decide through experience whether you are a "knower" or a "not knower". Do you want to know what your score is down the stretch or don't you. If it's going to influence the shots you're going to play, then you might best not knowing. You might need to force yourself not to think about the score until you've broken the barrier a few times, then accept your score and work to the finish it off down the stretch once you're comfortable.

I always need to know what my score is as I go along. Lots of teachers and sports psychologists advocate not looking at the scorecard until the end. That doesn't work for me - I need to know exactly where I am.

I'm definately a "knower" and always have been.

2. Down the stretch you need to think not only of the score but the environment. How are you feeling, how are your muscles, how are your hands feeling? If you're A-ok to pull off some shots then fine, be a bit aggressive. If your nervous and your hands are slow, you're better off accepting your condition and play conservative.

3. Down the stretch try to avoid any hazards that can blow your score. Down the stretch, par is a good score - it hasn't cost you ground. A bogey has cost you ground, so avoid them. Whether you play aggressive or conservative, take big numbers out of the rekoning by playing smart. There is such a thing as being smart-aggressive!

4. Whether you look at the score or not, you have to stay in the present. Play shot for shot. Don't play the shots for a score, play the shots because you believe it is the best shot under the circumstances. Be committed to the shot and do the things you normally do. If you normally pick your nose before a shot, then pick your nose ...


I've read tons of psych books, including all the books by Dr Bob Rotella and they all have 1 common thread: staying in the present, relax as best you can, go through your preshot routine, and execute the shot you think is best under the circumstances.

I'd suggest you read the books by Dr Bob Rotella or books by Mike Hebron. Another book I have found useful in my teaching is a book called "Going Low: How to Break Your Individual Golf Scoring Barrier by Thinking Like a Pro". I bought it off amazon.com . The books will give you the ideas and tools to deal with situations like you faced.

Other that this advice, I'd say you've done well to be -3 after 16 and your efforts came a bit short. Next time you're there, think bank, draw on the experience and try again. Dig deep!

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)