Mental Block???

Guys I have a problem. Nearly every round I play at my local club I struggle on the last 4 holes.
Last weekend was the worst example - I stood on the 15th tee looking at a score of around nett 6 under. Whamo - double, double, single, treble to finish.

I've tried changing from driver to irons off the tees etc, playing chip and runs instead of pitches, nothing seems to help.

Any ideas??

Hi Pal.
The first thing that springs to mind when i read your post was that maybe you are placing a little too much importance on your score. Don't get me wrong, we all love to know how our round is progressing or how our score is compared to that of our playing partners.
1)make a point before tee-ing off on the first hole that you will not total up your score until the end of the round, you will have a general idea of how your round is going by how well you are playing individual shots.
2) You have to play 1 shot at a time. Don't let your thoughts get too far ahead.
3)For the last 4 holes , tee off with a different club to that which you would normally use, this will fool your mind into thinking more positively becuase you are giving it a completely new scenario.
4) stay relaxed and have fun.

cheers

__________________
the dog wags the tail....the tail dosn't wag the dog

Like Atford I was going to say "ignore your score".

More difficult said than done I know because if you reach the 15th looking at 6 under you know you've played well even without the score card.

Another suggestion is to try a few rounds starting from the 10th or even just play the last 4 one evening just in case the problem is physical - tiredness can impact the mental side of the game as well.

sound advice bdbl.

another one i like is to play the hole backward in your mind: Begin on the green and identify the best place to land each shot. You'll get a fresh perspective and improve your strategic approach.

cheers

Thanks fellas,

I will try a few of your ideas this weekend. Golf has to be THE most frustrating game in the world (probably invented by a woman to piss us all off!).

happen to me before bacause we had a bad time in few holes
and mentally did'nt clear.
but i found any time im in the tee wich got in trouble before what i do is never try to rip it.play like is practice in drive range,bogie is good for me
smooth soft swing thru the fairway and is work fine to me weeks later that hole became easy with out bad memories.

Is it possible you're running out of steam by the last 4 holes? Make sure to drink plenty of water (or Gatorade) and have a light snack after nine.

Tigress

Just another nod - ignore the scorecard.

I've done it countless times when I feel I've been playing well - get up to the last couple holes (9 hole round), and double check my score. I do it to see if I can handle the pressure. I can't.

My 2nd last round of 9, I knew I was playing well, and had to wait on #8 tee box. I turned my scorecard over and put it in my pocket.
I finished par, triple (reload bogey - first ball was long and OB), and shot a new PB by 2 strokes (I know, coulda been 4 strokes... but anyway).

Keep the card outta sight, and finish strong!

__________________
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PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

Play every hole and every shot as if it is the first. Try and keep a thought on some part of your swing, rather than thinking of score.

I think we all suffer from this at one point, even the pros. I have a few holes on my local course that kill me. I find you should go to the range visualize the holes that give you trouble , play your t shot etc then when your on the course visualize the way you performed on the range, get back to ya , my wife is yellin in my ear