Finishing Strong and Avoiding a Collapse

Saturday I had a great round going. I was at three under going into 16 when all of a sudden I started thinking about my score. Needlkess to say I went on to finish with three bogies and a lackluster even par score. Anyone have siggestions to avoid such a collapse in the future.

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)

A little unfair Graham to 9 H/Cappers as I am one myself.

You say after only 18 months of golf you were looking to break par, therefore I will forgive your comments because you have not been throught every golfing barrier, you must think yourself lucky that you have a gift......

dlhenry,
Every golfer of all levels go through barriers at different times, it takes ages to break 100, then 90, then 80 and finally Par.

The advise is simple remember "your only under pressure because you playing well"........ its like putting a 4 inch wide beem on the floor and walking the length, its easy. Lift it 30 feet above ground and suddenly you need to look at your feet to make them walk in a straight line.

Just keep putting yourself in a position to break par and once you achieve it the rest will be easy just like breaking 100 was.


Ian.

Ian,

Believe me, when you have the chance of breaking par for the first time ... it isn't quite the same as breaking another scoring barrier. I am not sure if you have even been in that territory. If not, trust me ... it's not the same, not even close.

It's the holy grail of golf ... beating the scorecard.

Graham,

I have broken par during the winter months on summer greens but shorter tees, but I have never managed to break 76 during summer from the back tees. I think it is just that I do not have the consistancy just yet or the fact that I haven't done it yet, once I have then I am sure it will become easier.

Breaking 90 for someone with less ability is no different in my opinion, all golfers have to reach their own goals and each goal is just as nerve racking and difficult until you achieve it.

However I will say that as your ability reaches breaking par level I think you put more pressure on yourself, the job is no different because your ability is better.

I think you tend to rehearse the club house speaches about the 17th tee and lose concentration.


I will gladly agree to disagree, maybe someone else can throw a penny in.


Thanks

Ian.

I agree. Absolutely ... the better you get the more you're able and motivated to break whatever barrier it is. Once you've broken a barrier it does become easier, I think. Some players break 80 once and can never get themselves to do it again. I have a friend like that, the poor guy!

In my teaching, I have students who have never broken 90 or 100. I'm sure for them to break those barriers is an achievement equal to most. Geez, I have taught some players for whom hitting the ball is an achievement!

Didn't you feel "special nervous" when you broke par? I bet that was more tense than breaking 80.

But, let's not turn the forum into a par-argument, that wasn't the point!

I think at whatever scoring barrier - focus on the job at hand. Play shot for shot and play the shot you have 100% faith in. Try as best you can to keep the muscles well oxygenated, your mind clear and take controlled swings, not those nervous switches that normally happen when you're nervous!

__________________
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)

Graham,
A nice note to end this thread for us two on.


Thanks

Ian.